[Lead_Teeth]

I'm wondering if any of you have come across any vintage or distressed-style leather jackets that can actually be used as safety gear. I have seen some people refer to the Ducati Historical jacket (http://www.azsbk.com/9825280--.html). But that jacket doesn't really do it for me becaue it looks kinda weak and seems to be made more for fashion than function. I need something more heavy duty, with some elbow protection, for example.

I'm looking for a TOUGH vintage/distressed-style leather jacket that is made for riding on a motorcycle, not posing at a mall (no Gap, Wilson leather, etc.). Something that Mad Max would be proud to wear. I want a jacket that looks like it belongs to a Hooligan from the future who lives in a cave and battles zombies at night. I want something that will fit well with my Monster and enhance it's Hooligan-ness. A jacket that looks like I could wear it to hell and back. Something I can abuse and abuse and abuse and it just eats it up and asks for more. Has anybody come across anything like this?

Oh yeah, just to clarify, I'm NOT interested in typical HD biker stuff. That's not the kind of "tough" I'm thinking of- I want durability, not eagles and flames.

Also, I know that my current Vanson jacket will eventually look sort of like what I'm envisioning, but I don't want to wait two decades for it!

 

[Guest]

Drag it behind the bike for a couple hundred miles!

 

[Fillmore]

How about a real vintage jacket instead of a vintage-style jacket?

I currently have 30+ year old leather jacket that's made of about 10 lbs of cow hide. It probably doesn't meet your requirements as it's the typical "biker" style jacket, but it is heavier leather than any of my modern sport riding leather, and I'm very confident in its abrsion resistance, as it's been crash tested while riding a bike about as old as it is. Oh yeah, it was made by Wilsons.

That jacket is actually a replacement for an even better jacket that was stolen from a night club coat check. It was a fifties or sixties issue motorcycle police jacket from Chicago or Detroit. I think that it was horse hide. Style was somewhere between a biker jacet and a leather flight jacket. It was heavy and kinda stiff and made me want to get in fights because I knew that it would absorb most punches.

Check vinyage clothing stores or maybe look here.
http://www.vintagemotorcyclejackets.com/wantads.htm

--Fillmore

 

[Lead_Teeth]

It was heavy and kinda stiff and made me want to get in fights because I knew that it absorb most punches.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

 

[Lead_Teeth]

By the way, some of the vintage jackets from that link are pushing $1000 or more. I guess some people consider motorcycle jackets to be "collector items." I prefer the Rev's approach to actually using a jacket for what it is made for- protection from the pavement, the punches, or otherwise.

 

[scrappy]

Yeah, breaking in a leather jacket (or pants), is part of the fun and beauty of leather. Plus when you do it yourself, it really becomes "yours" as it form fits to your body and movements. Very important for the long term comfort of the garment.

scooby ;D

 

[Bloodshot]

I had a jacket custom made for me aty Johnson Leather's here in San Francisco about a year ago. After everyday use for a while it is definitely getting that used look to it. 6 more months and it really will look like something Mad Max would wear...

 

[iamic]

I like your jacket Jordan. How much did Johnson charge you?

 

[Lead_Teeth]

You got a pic, Bloodshot? I've heard good things about Johnson's Leathers.

 

[sivan]

How are they with full suit 1 or 2 piece? I'm not so much interested in vintage but just a decent sport suit without paying insane prices and waiting for months.

 

[iamic]

I've got Johnson semi-custom leather pants - nice product. Doesn't exacltly look like a jacket, but I could take a pic. Turnaround was quick (<one week), full leathers or a custom jacket may take a little bit longer.

 

[sivan]

I've got Johnson semi-custom leather pants - nice product.

 

[Lead_Teeth]

I thought we were talking about zombie-killing samurai bikers.

 

[iamic]

Yeah, I was wearing them then. I don't know if I had the armor put in at that point. They're full pants (jeans style cut) with 3/4 zips on each side so I can wear them over jeans/slacks. Similar fit to the Kushi tani Real Ride pants, I think. I'm wearing them here:

(far left)

 

[ericmonstro]

I saw a joe rocket jacket that had a nice dark brown/gray distressed look to it. I'm not sure which one it was, it might be called "RETRO" or something.

I'm not sure Mad Max would wear it though..but it made me want to get something like that V.s. a superhero jacket like I have now :-(

 

[ericmonstro]

I found this site that makes what looks like replicas of the MadMax jackets

http://www.madmax-jp.com/

Just get some armo sewn in there..heheh....or not?

 

[sivan]

Well I just put a down painment on a custom Johnson. It felt better than any brand I tried, plus, all shelf ones just didn't fit me right and didn't feel as comfortable. I don't understand why, but while the Vanson felt like a concrete slab with 1.5mm, the Johnson felt fine with 1.4mm. I got mine with the back protector and the chest ones, which are pretty new for Johnson. Should take a month.

 

[Guest]

A custom Johnson? That post could be easily taken the wrong way....

 

[sivan]

Just an ordinary leather shop on Polk street. ;D

 

[Lead_Teeth]

You should all check out this site- the author has a very passionate view of his work!

In any case, the jackets seem to be absolutley indestructible and have a sort of retro, albeit "Wild Ones", look to them. Not sure how they would work on a Duc, but worth a peak anyway. Check out this link, but be prepared to "copy" and "paste" the text into a word app. if you're interested in reading the author's...uh....product description/diatribe. It seems the company's web skills are far behind it's leather craftmanship. In any case, I got wrapped up in this site for about an hour.

http://www.lostworldsinc.com/ClassicMotorcycleJackets.htm

Note: links to the jackets are at the bottom of the page. They also make other jackets- including bomber jackets- that are listed elswhere in the site.