Indian "motorcycle" reel

Jim Madden · Post by **Jim Madden** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:53 pm

I recently listed an Indian reel and asked someone to prove that the reel was used as a promotion for the motorcycle company. I got an email telling me that the "I" in "Indian" was nearly the same as the one printed on the motorcycles. The pic below shows a 1911 Outers ad. The second pic is the reel. If you take out the fancy swirls which would be hard to reproduce for a stamping, the two could be a match. The cursive font on the reel is bigger than what's commonly seen on Montague reels. I don't see enough to tell one way or another. What do you think?

reels4me · Post by **reels4me** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:00 pm

Two distinctly different fonts the `cycle is a thick & thin hand lettered
style the reel looks like an italic font that Montague used and some
artist modified the cap `I`

Richard Lodge · Post by **Richard Lodge** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:45 pm

Jim: I think you may be onto something. I tried holding an Indian reel up to the mirror of my buddy's Indian motorcycle, comparing the precise angle of the I. After taking several GPS readings, comparing the measurements to that day's horoscope in my local paper, adding the digits in my Social Security number, and dividing by the number of fraudulent votes counted by corrupt poll officials in Ohio (sorry!), I found no relation between the Indian reel and the Indian motorcycle company. But then again, my GPS has been acting a little funny lately.
Seriously, though, it's funny that we keep seeing this alleged link between the reel and cycle. Nothing to it, from everything I have heard.

Jim Madden · Post by **Jim Madden** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:10 am

This is the first time anyone has given me something to actually look at concerning the subject. If this font simularity is what started the whole thing, then case closed. I agree, these are two different fonts. Jim

SWIM JIG · Post by **SWIM JIG** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 1:02 am

Jim, take a close look at the front I the bike has a loop coming back thru the front! this has no longer been a mystery, as several companies named their reels so mas not to infinge on another companies name ie. sell a bunch in stores or off a pedlers wagon , posibly medicen shows and even as prises at carnival shows when they came thru. I won one at Founten Ferry amusment park in Louisvill KY in 1956 while I was stationed at FORT KNOX KY. It had a rod with it and line on the reel, Reel said (Chief) had to throw baseballs into a bushel basket, if you threw over hand the balls bounced out if you spun it underhand they stayed in ! 3 of them The rod was a colapsing steel rod reel was like a montique and line aws a green color. The barker ran me off after I won his rod and reel. Still have the reel rod has long been gone. I would place that reel about 1925 or26 era, most likly cost less than $5.00 for the whole set. Now that amusment park is gone, along with other things in Louisville KY. That was in the days when you could go to Sutclfes Sporting goods and buy a decent pfluger and American Fork and Hoe rod and Line for lest than $15.00 however on $117.10 a month as a PFC with a wife and baby daughter It was a long time until I got that set up. Cost of the CHIEF? one whole 15cents for the chance, those were the times! Col. M. Lorens aka SWIM JIG . ( as for those Votes in Cleveland Ohio? thats because the kids dont learn how to count, teachers make them wear shoes and socks, ha ha ha

Jim Schottenham · Post by **Jim Schottenham** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:18 am

I guess this will just never die. Here's a new twist however, with Ocean City reels jumping into the mix
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 7135751613

Jim S

Dale Noll · Post by **Dale Noll** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:54 am

Must have been a lot of Indian Motorcycles! Another was posted on eBay a few day ago 7139624589 sold for near $86. I sent email to dealer re claim that was probably a hoax. He replied that the Indian reel was obtained by his uncle after WW1 in the 20's. His uncle died 15 yr ago at 96. He said uncle told him reel was obtained when buying the Indian motorcycle.

Richard Lodge · Post by **Richard Lodge** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:19 pm

It's amazing how urban legends persist in so many areas of our lives. Indian reels, Indian motorcycles. Sort of like the old story about giant alligators lurking in the sewers of New York, grown from little gators that had been flushed down toilets. Far as I know, that's just a myth. Er... maybe... I guess... last I heard.
As to the "similiarities" of the Indian fonts on the cycle and the reel, I think that's loopy. The font on the motorcycle ads is clearly Cyclorama Indianus Demi-bold, while the font on the fishing reel is obviously Piscatorial Nickel-platus Non-levelwindius Ultralight. Any fool can see that. Right, Milt and Harvey? You guys have printing experience. You recognize Piscatorial Ultralight when you see it.

reels4me · Post by **reels4me** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 2:00 pm

Richard I do believe it`s the MEDIUM not the light. Typographically
speaking of course.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 2:22 pm

Richard,

You are truly a FONT of knowledge on the subject!

Todd

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:35 pm

The type on the reels are 'Headplaterandi Stampacus" While the Motorcycle type is "Flatheader Paintbrusholdontite". That's the diffrents as I seez it! And isn't "Piscatorial Ultralight" when you don't have very big chest mussels after you paid big Clams to the health club?

Len Sawisch · Post by **Len Sawisch** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:14 pm

When I was serving ORCA in a different capacity and had to do such things, I wrote an editorial on this topic. I boldly told a seller that his Indian reel probably was NOT associated with the cycle company and that he had fallen victum to a hoax perpetrated by folks trying to get an extra buck from their reels.

He wrote back and, about as politely as I, suggested I shove my "theory" sideways. He claimed he was a cycle memorabilia collector and knew for a fact that x # of Indians were ordered as promotional items. Of course some enterprising collectors could do some coss-over research, but I think it's more fun to keep this issue on the fringe.

I did, by the way, offer to buy him dinner if he could offer up any proof that I could verify, but he never contacted me back.

Len

homergreg · Post by **homergreg** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:47 am

I'll bet that some enterprising Indian motorcycle dealer back in the day came across some reels with the name "Indian" on them for cheap, and made up his own promotion, giving them away with the motorcycles he sold. Of course as years went by, stories from the people who received these melded with those who had the reels from other sources, and combining that with wishful thinking, you get "Indian Motorcycle" Reels.

Len Sawisch · Post by **Len Sawisch** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:34 pm

Homergreg,

Interesting theory! I actually contacted a couple of Indian Motorcycle collector sites about this. Here is the most cogent reply I got:

It seems very unlikely that there is any relationship with the Indian
Motorcycle Company.

A quick search revealed the following article, which should squelch the story:

http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?feature_ ... 0Motorcycl
e%20Reel

Regards,

Russell.

http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif? ... 0Motorcycl

It's a small world!

Len

Jim Madden · Post by **Jim Madden** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:11 am

Could it get any worse! Now the reel doesn't even have to have "Indian" on it. I think I have a Hiawatha reel somewhere. I think those are more rare because they were only given out as a promotion to the female Indian motorcycle buyers.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 37979&rd=1

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:27 pm

I have a bid in on a Triumph reel made by Montague. Thought perhaps I could convince some of those bikers that one was given away with the sale of a new Triumph bike. I've heard they'll believe anything. Any bikers out there?

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:45 pm

Laugh jester if you like, but reels were favorite giveaways for decades. A few examples of the reels and the institutions that sold them or gave them out as souvenirs include:
Mohawk, various styles--from the rug company
Empire City--NY Chamber of Commerce
Delta fly reels--handed out as folks deplaned
Winona--sold at Judd concerts
Mercury, Pontiac, Coronet, Cadillac, Citation, Dynamatic, Century, Plymouth, and many others--from the respective auto mfrs
Eureka--sold by the gift shop at Sutter's Fort
Acme--usually placed near the checkout counters in the supermarkets
President--sent by the White House to inventors who sent their reels to popular residents thereof
Uncle Sam--sent by the White House to inventors who sent their reels to unpopular residents thereof
Blue Grass--The Scotts Co.
Climax--Church & Dwight Co.
Maginot--from the French Dept. of Tourism. The reels held only very thin, low-test line.
Medalist--given by the IOC to fourth-place finishers

There are many more. This kind of historical info will enhance the value of your reels, so be sure to include it in your eBay listings.

Jim Madden · Post by **Jim Madden** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:01 pm

jump cool-thumb jester

jump yay-banana

Richard Lodge · Post by **Richard Lodge** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:31 pm

But I think you're wrong about Eureka. That was included with every pack of extra vaccuum cleaner bags.
Personally, I loved the Winona line.

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:12 pm

Something tells me that Steve isn't getting enough sleep!
"H"

SWIM JIG · Post by **SWIM JIG** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:25 pm

jester OK Indian FINIAN according to two Motercycle folks one of our own ( Bill Cole Box 68 Matthews In. 46957 email ( ) hes in our directory page 32! he told me 3 years ago that tail has been around longer than dirt! The INIAN CO. NEVER did use aREEL in their Promotions, if they did BILL would have owned one at any cost! And for a person in Amherst Ohio the Founders Of THe PENTON MOTERCYCLE CO. John Penton Told me its no so! Ike noe deceased and John have road bokes for well over 75 years , NO SUCH a thing existed! or they would have one or more of them, Anyone out there that has a VALID INDIAN REEL and can PROVE that the Indian Company was tied to it advise as that reel will make History! This is not to say a INDIAN REEL DONT exist, as I have had them , same as my CHIEF and other similar named reels, Woverine , Chuck Wagon, sure shot , however they are not tied to actual company lines ! If you find one with WHIZZER ! ? most of us had those motor bikes I never saw the reels advertized by that company, Frerstone company stores had WIZZER REELS and also metal casting rods made bu american Fork & hoe in geneva OHIO! Nuf on this I have work to do, OH yes anyone got a AUBURN ? I want it ! YOUR ohio conection Col. M. Lorens aka SWIM JIG

Indian "motorcycle" reel

Indian "motorcycle" reel

Indian Fonts

Proof, at last!

Indian

2 diferent front Is

It's spreading........

Wow, urban legends

Piscatorial MEDIUM

Hah

Not so fast . . .

Some old motorcycle dealer is still giggling in his grave!

Chief

Handouts

Steve, you're a marketing genius!

what again?