Vacuum grip pliers

[tfburke3]

I have Vacuum Grip brand pliers sold by starklite and others as Indian valve cover pliers.
The teeth are closer together than the Indian covers and tear up the covers.
What did Indian sell for this purpose?
Anybody sell a tool that fits?
Thanks
Tom

[T. Cotten]

I have Vacuum Grip brand pliers sold by starklite and others as Indian valve cover pliers.
The teeth are closer together than the Indian covers and tear up the covers.
What did Indian sell for this purpose?
Anybody sell a tool that fits?
Thanks
Tom

Gosh, Tom,..

I'll admit I wore heavily upon my KIWI Vacuum-Grips, but although 'soft', they seemed to fit.

The majority of wear was from brand x fuel filters, which they also fit quite well:

VACCGRIP.jpg

VACMGRIP.jpg


My superior Michael Breeding pair is virgin. (Offers accepted.)

....Cotten

[tfburke3]

If you look at how they fit on a chief cover you see the difference.Looks like they fit the Harley parts right.
Curious what Indian sold or what fits.I just don't think Indian would sell a tool with wrong profile that tears up a cadmium cover pretty quick.
Tom

[T. Cotten]

If you look at how they fit on a chief cover you see the difference.Looks like they fit the Harley parts right.
Curious what Indian sold or what fits.I just don't think Indian would sell a tool with wrong profile that tears up a cadmium cover pretty quick.
Tom

I assure you Tom,

I used the KIWIs on multiple Chiefs without issue!

(...Other than wear upon the pliers, rather than upon the covers, which could be considered an advantage.)

I better check my walls and inventory, because there might be three Vacuum-Grips around here. That would make me a collector.

.....Cotten

[pisten-bully]

It would be interesting to see if the reproduction pliers fit original covers correctly, because maybe it's the reproduction covers that have a different pitch?

[tfburke3]

Thanks for your assurance Tom.
I have also used them for many years.
I guess I should have just asked"what did Indian sell for valve cover removal"
Were they just reselling the Vacuum grip,or was there an Indian tool.
Tom
BTW,I never had repro covers but I believe the available copies are the same related my question.

[PaulCDF]

"was there an Indian tool." (?)

From the AMCA Library

ARMY MOTOR MAINTENANCE
Text No.9
The Motorcycle
Sept 30, 1940

Pg 42

"For the Indian Motorcycle (1) For the First Echelon. The tools supplied in the tool roll should be considered sufficient.

(2) For the Second Echelon, there are only four additional motorcycle tools suggested namely:

Wrench cylinder head 5/8" special length 11" Factory Part #: 101472
Wrench socket cylinder head bolt, special extension, 5/8" Part #: 102312
Pliers "Vaccum Grip Type", for valve covers Part #: 101826
Wrench, box socket, special for headlight adjustment Part #: 102347"

[T. Cotten]

It doesn't take much time web-searching, Folks,...

To figure out that 'Vacuum-Grip' was proprietary to 'Snap-On', with many other designs.

My jewel Breeding pair has "Indian" upon the grips.

(I'd take a pic but I hid them from myself.)

....Cotten

[tfburke3]

"was there an Indian tool." (?)

From the AMCA Library

ARMY MOTOR MAINTENANCE
Text No.9
The Motorcycle
Sept 30, 1940

Pg 42

"For the Indian Motorcycle (1) For the First Echelon. The tools supplied in the tool roll should be considered sufficient.

(2) For the Second Echelon, there are only four additional motorcycle tools suggested namely:

Wrench cylinder head 5/8" special length 11" Factory Part #: 101472
Wrench socket cylinder head bolt, special extension, 5/8" Part #: 102312
Pliers "Vaccum Grip Type", for valve covers Part #: 101826
Wrench, box socket, special for headlight adjustment Part #: 102347"

Thanks Paul.So Indian did not manufacture a special valve cover tool but distributed the "vacuum grip"pliers.
Thanks

[PaulCDF]

Michael Breeding has a nice original one for sale:

"VACUUM GRIP VALVE COVER PLIERS with BOX, original, - 101826 - $175.

New Old Stock Pliers for Indians. These are the later version and fit covers with seals.

Donut type circles on the handle are the "vacuum grip" part. "Made in USA" on inner handle."


Michael Breeding Vaccum Grip.jpg

[Rubone]

Most motorcycle manufacturers bought tools from tool makers rather than make their own. An example here from "Indian" actually made by Vlchek. DCP_2783.JPG DCP_2784.JPG

[tfburke3]

Thanks for all the replies and pics
Tom

[PaulCDF]

So what I am wondering is:

Michael Breeding states "These (Part #: 101826) are the later version and fit covers with seals."
Was there a differant version for EARLY Covers without seals?
Could this be what Tom Burke has???

[tfburke3]

I believe later most likely referred to 40-53 sealed covers.
The military info you posted is 1940 which I believe is first year for sealed covers.
!939 was similar but no seals and these pliers could still be used.
!935-38 was split clam shell covers so no wrench needed.
!934 was a smaller diameter cover with hex flats to turn on or off.
"fits" is somewhat subjective I think.Yes they work.Would Indian have designed a tool with a better matching tooth profile?I think so.
Thanks again for all the replies

[pisten-bully]

I purchased a set from Starklite (I think) and they came in a period box, not for one second did I think I had scored an original set in the box, but it's nice they reproduced them with a period box:
IMG_1083.jpeg

IMG_1084.jpeg

Note how one end broke off short on one of the gripper jaws, I actually find it works better that way! Low clearance between the cylinder and the covers means the pliers have a difficult time fitting behind the covers, the shortened jaw gives me increased throw on the pliers with no noticeable loss of grip. Your mileage may vary!

IMG_1085.jpeg