Vintage Jacket 101

Ok, I'm a FNG with a Joe Rocket textile jacket. I've always liked everything vintage, and now I'm coming around to jackets. My favorite, faithful (except for that broken zipper) leather jacket was bought in TJ maybe 20 years ago. No name brand, but awesome none-the-less. I'm ready for something classic, but don't know diddly. When looking for vintage, what should I learn... where should I look... what should I keep an eye out for... what are they worth... and what should I avoid? I like the 50's patches look, but also the 60's racer style. How do I translate this into finding "the jacket?"

Sorry if my questions are lame. I just want some basics.

Well... perhaps someone knows where one can go to find this basic info.

Although there have been no responses to my questions here, I got motivated to try and Googling anything that might be useful. While I found lots of information, the ADD kicked in and I got sidetracked into looking at new jackets. Someone on another thread had recommended jafrum.com and said they seemed to be priced rather inexpensively. I found this jacket there, which claims the following:

• Material: Naked Cowhide Leather
• Thickness: 1.2 to 1.3 mm
• Pockets: 4 outside and 2 inside
• Vents: 2 front Vents, 2 Back Vents
• Belt : Adjustable
• Protection: Elbow and Shoulder Pads

With a price of less than $90, I couldn't pass it up. So, it should arrive in a few days and I find out if it really is a good deal. I'm not giving up on vintage jackets, though, but this will do in the mean time.

I just think that this section of the forum is not as frequented as some of the others so that would probabbly explain the lack of responses!!..
I know for a fact that most of the guys here are as obsessive over their leathers as they are over their bikes.. So I KNOW this thread would get a lot of comments if everyone just knew you were asking the question ;D

that being said, there are a few good threads on jackets:
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=5962.0

A vintage Schott Perfecto is a definate must have in the closet:
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=6605.0

A 50's Horsehide D-pocket is also a definate must have:
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=4643.0

In terms of a 60s/70 vintage racing jacket if you check out the ForSale section of the forum, you'll find a lot of vinrage racing jackets up for sale:
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=14879.0
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=14760.0
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=11270.0

Also check what other DTTers are sporting these days:
http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=418.0

I should just say that for vintage bike jackets, you'd like to look for these lables in ebay:
- Schott Perfecto
- LeatherToggs
- Northeastern Leather
- Sears Hercules
- BUCO
- Brooks
- Highwayman
- British Cycles
- Hein Gericke
-

For colourful vintage racing leather keep your eyes out for:
- Brimaco
- Drospo
- Golden Crown Bristol

There are many others but.. I just cant think of any others at the moment.. I used to have a large collection of the vintage racing jackets with the crazy team colours and sponsor patches... I've kinda muted down and only tend to wear the vintage black stuff...

you could also check out http://vintageleatherjackets.blogspot.com/ to read up a bit. it's not quite a 101 though. VJKT350, maybe.

arsey said:

VJKT350

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;D

Thanks, guys. This will keep me busy for hours on end... and maybe slow down the spending spree on building my bike! Naaaaaah!!!

I received the Jafrum jacket today, and all I can say is "Holy Mole!" While the ad said it was cowhide, the tag on the sleeve read buffalo. Outside of this difference, the jacket is awesome. Very thick. Very heavy. Very soft. While the pictures showed leather strings on the zipper pulls, the jacket actually has leather tabs, which I think I may like better. The quality of the leather, seams, zippers, lining and so-forth appear to be, if not top-notch, at least better than just good. I ordered one size fatter... I mean, larger than I normally wear and think another size up would still be ok, depending on what one wears under it. For me, though, the sleeves are the perfect length and it feels comfortably snug. At $90 bucks I feel I got a great deal.

jbrtwork said:

At $90 bucks I feel I got a great deal.

Click to expand...

You will not feel this way if you get any of the jackets on Loco's list!

Represto said:

You will not feel this way if you get any of the jackets on Loco's list!

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ONe day you might ry buying a vintage jacket and you will realise the difference between what you have and what you could have

I was just saying that $90 for a jacket is super cheap compared to how much locO leoN spends on his jackets.

I exclusively wear vintage jackets. You can't beat the quality and the aged leather just feels better. The most I've paid for a jacket would have to be my old Trial Master. My leather collection doesn't have any museum pieces (yet).

The new $90 one is awesome... but has nowhere near the character of my old TJ jacket. Even with its broken zipper I find I wear it around a majority of the time. I can see that if I find a vintage jacket it may too be preferred over the new one. Seems my tastes run more toward the classic - in all things. I'm a renaissance man!