Indian Tools www.virtualindian.org   
Updated 12/99   Home / Archives / Tools
 
We all need tools for working on our Indians. For restoring them and for keeping them in good shape. There are some special tools needed for wrenching Indians, and luckily most of these are available new (Michael Breeding is one source of high quality Indian special tools; there's a bunch of new tools in his recently updated online catalog), and there is tremendous interest in the original tools the factory supplied with new bikes. These sometimes surface at swap meets, and perhaps you can use this page to identify the swap meet offerings, and collect an original tool kit for your Indian. More tool info will be added on this page, so check back once in a while (or subscribe to the VI mailing list to be sure you're informed of updates!).
 
If you have any information to add, or questions, please write me. Thanks!

(This page may be a little slow loading because of the big pictures. Please let me know if it's TOO slow!)

On this page:
"348" -Original 1948 Chief tool kit.
Wrenches & Misc tools -Just what it sez  
Corbin Tach -neat!
Vertical Tools -you know what I mean...
Repro Tools -you'll need these to work on your Indian
"344" -The tools in the 1944 Chief parts book
 
 
 More neat Indian tools on Fred Dufrene's site. And on Gary Smalz's!

Michael Breeding also makes a lot of Indian tools. Check out his website, and see the VI "New Parts" page for a selection of new tools from Michael. New! 12.12.99
 

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This picture of an original tool kit is from a set of photos I purchased, several years ago, of an original paint, unrestored 348. There are about 30 photos in the set, and they are very detailed. They may be the set that Michael Breeding sells, but I bought them from Ziggy, at a swap meet. Stan

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Since you have started a tool page, here are a couple pictures of some tools from my collection. The first one shows several flat wrenches, a Duckworth chain breaker, and two types of Indian adjustable wrenches.The second photo, has a NOS cam bushing reamer, an adjustable spoke wrench, and (my favorite) a leaf spring oiler. The oiler is like a C clamp with a wedge and grease cup on one end, so it spreads the leaves, and then you turn the grease cup, to inject a small amount between each leaf. Not all of these tools are Indian factory tools, but they are all tools I have used on Indians, and they are from the correct period. I also have several original tools for Verticals. Stan

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Sorry, forgot this one. It is a Corbin manual tachometer, and I have never seen another one. Stan

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Here are some Vertical tools, mostly spanner wrenches, from L-R #150118, #150117, #150115, #150120, and bottom #150116. Stan

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These are all reproduction, or modern tools which are essential for working on your Indian: Left to Right from the top: Piston Pin Puller, Valve Cover Pliers (These are the cheap ones, Buy the Plier Type),Plunger Shock Tool, Rim Protectors, Bottom row: Ground Down Tappet Wrenches, Spark Plug Wrench, Clutch Compression Tool. Stan

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I scanned this pic from the Chief 344 parts list a while back. May be of some use, since the tools are named.  Rohan.

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