Advice needed on new Aero Cafe Racer jacket

[Edward]

I'm now temped by the corduroy strip, very temped. It sounds like a good alternative.

Seems so. Never had one (Ken originally made them available as an option to wean folks off the leather strip!), tough I'm going to have one added to my Bootlegger to hide a few moth nips.

I'll talk this through to them. I tend to wear Iron Heart jeans with a mid/high rise, and due to the size of my arse I couldn't wear modern style low rise jeans/trousers if I wanted to. The added length is just to compensate for my above average length torso

Definitely talk to them, but the best is absolutely to visit the factory and try in person.

Trying options on does seem the best bet. Shame it's a 9 hour drive away...

Well worth it, though.....

I've seen one custom aero with a pocket in the lining, but this could have been the old regime doing it.

Fairly likely - I think they did a few of those in the early days of Alexander Leathers as well.

Drill is sounding a good shout. Is the tartan cotton as durable?

Never handled it. I hear it's lighter than the drill, but I'd assume it's still decent, or Aero wouldn't be putting it out there..... I'd think it's at least the weight of the lining on an A2.

I have pretty think arms, but I like the look of as snug a fit as I can get away with. High arm holes on suits I always found gave a better range of motion. If three piece makes the sleeves any bulkier than they have to be, perhaps it's best I avoid it.

Thanks for the great reply!!

No worries. I wouldn't worry about three piece making it 'loose' - don't forget the Japanese market caters to folks who are much slighter than we tend to be on average.....

I just looked at the link again, and there's actually a close up pic of them pulling the seams on the back apart to reveal the gusset

Yeah, must be a custom option - the original definitely doesn't have it: http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=2213

 

[Monitor]

How come?

By the way, did you ever post a thread with pictures for your Cafe Racer with mods? I saw the one picture where it looked fantastic

Bike completely broke down (1979 Ducati SS, one that requires a lot of attention) and no money to repair it. Can't really ride that thing anymore. It's tiresome. Time for a Panhead.

I did post a lot of photos of that CR but Photobucket happened. They're still there I think, haven't logged in in a long while.

 

[Edward]

Bike completely broke down (1979 Ducati SS, one that requires a lot of attention) and no money to repair it. Can't really ride that thing anymore. It's tiresome. Time for a Panhead.

You want a reliable, efficient bike, yet you're planning a Harley-able-to?

 

[Fanch]

Hondas don't break down, whether cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers, etc.

 

[Rich22]

No worries. I wouldn't worry about three piece making it 'loose' - don't forget the Japanese market caters to folks who are much slighter than we tend to be on average.....

They certainly are. In Japan at one point I tried to look out for a Japanese person both taller and bigger built than myself. Gave up after 3 weeks!

 

[Rich22]

Bike completely broke down (1979 Ducati SS, one that requires a lot of attention) and no money to repair it. Can't really ride that thing anymore. It's tiresome. Time for a Panhead.

I did post a lot of photos of that CR but Photobucket happened. They're still there I think, haven't logged in in a long while.

It's a bugger when our boys toys break down, always so frustrating.

I tried to find the pics- found the thread but half your pics are now listed as private, and the other half are missing. A pain about Photobucket

Are you still completely happy with your newest Cafe Racer? Any favourite elements or things you'd change?

 

[ButteMT61]

Bike completely broke down (1979 Ducati SS, one that requires a lot of attention) and no money to repair it. Can't really ride that thing anymore. It's tiresome. Time for a Panhead.

I did post a lot of photos of that CR but Photobucket happened. They're still there I think, haven't logged in in a long while.

Those old Desmo valves are a b*tch man. I know, I know...they're better now, but I love the current crop of Trumpets and some of the Guzzi's as well. Been a Honda guy all my life - since the first 125cc Elsinore, but you have to break out now and then...

 

[Edward]

Of the big boys, Triumph are definitely nailing it with their reliable modern but vintage styled bikes. Interestingly, though, the current crop of Chinese bikes are fast providing an excellent range of bases for affordable custom platforms.

 

[sweetfights]

Triumph or Yamaha Triple's all day and all night!

 

[Monitor]

@Edward lol no worries - I couldn't afford anything from Harley anyway, not with the kind of money they're asking for their bikes here in this part of Europe.
@Rich22 - I was very happy with it until it became cold and I could no longer zip it up because I was wearing another piece of clothing over a t-shirt. Then I wasn't happy with it anymore but that's my stupidity for always buying a wrong jacket at the wrong time in the wrong size. CR doesn't make a good winter jacket, period.
@ButteMT61 - Man, everything that could go wrong with it, went wrong. All the plastic started to fall apart then the gas line got clogged with itself or something. Things just went south from there. Did some calculations how much it would've cost me to get it to run again... Yeah, it's a nice bike and all but not going to happen. I'd rather get a Kymco for how much just a valve costs and actually go somewhere without having to worry what's gonna break next. And it's so damn heavy! Last year it I rode it, I'd literally say to myself "I'm too old for this..." every time I sat on it.

 

[Edward]

@Edward lol no worries - I couldn't afford anything from Harley anyway, not with the kind of money they're asking for their bikes here in this part of Europe.
@Rich22 - I was very happy with it until it became cold and I could no longer zip it up because I was wearing another piece of clothing over a t-shirt. Then I wasn't happy with it anymore but that's my stupidity for always buying a wrong jacket at the wrong time in the wrong size. CR doesn't make a good winter jacket, period.
@ButteMT61 - Man, everything that could go wrong with it, went wrong. All the plastic started to fall apart then the gas line got clogged with itself or something. Things just went south from there. Did some calculations how much it would've cost me to get it to run again... Yeah, it's a nice bike and all but not going to happen. I'd rather get a Kymco for how much just a valve costs and actually go somewhere without having to worry what's gonna break next. And it's so damn heavy! Last year it I rode it, I'd literally say to myself "I'm too old for this..." every time I sat on it.

You need something like a Mutt or a Mash, a nice, light little efficient 250...

 

[Rich22]

@EdwardI was very happy with it until it became cold and I could no longer zip it up because I was wearing another piece of clothing over a t-shirt. Then I wasn't happy with it anymore but that's my stupidity for always buying a wrong jacket at the wrong time in the wrong size. CR doesn't make a good winter jacket, period.

Haha, so did you go back to enjoying it in all the other seasons? I'm under no illusions that it'll keep me warm if I just spec it with a cotton lining...

 

[Rich22]

Found this video of Aero leathers which is useful. Interesting how they've gone for board racer sleeve zippers on all those cafe racers, btw.

 

[Monitor]

Haha, so did you go back to enjoying it in all the other seasons? I'm under no illusions that it'll keep me warm if I just spec it with a cotton lining...

Did wonderful for this years spring. There's plenty of time to wear it. Spring, autumn... Early summer perhaps. I guess it also depends what you do with it. I either walk or ride everywhere so it gets chilly at night but if you drive, should be good most of the time.

 

[Monitor]

Found this video of Aero leathers which is useful. Interesting how they've gone for board racer sleeve zippers on all those cafe racers, btw.

I think these are Board Racers. Absence of shoulder gussets, back seam and collar suggest so.

 

[Fanch]

Although I perceive I am swimming against the tide here, I prefer the zips on my sleeves in the standard Aero Cafe Racer location in the backs of the sleeves to the extent I might even specify CR zips even if I were to order a Board Racer, although that would likely violate the look and spirit of the Buco J-100. The sleeve zips on both of my Sheenes are unobtrusive and have never rubbed against anything due to the HH welts. You pays your money and makes your choice as they say ...

 

[Bullitt]

Last year around this time, I started planning a Board Racer jacket. Like me, you already got excellent advice from the senior members of this friendly board.

Here are a few more points:

I chose Italian HH and am happy with the weight, the texture and the way it drapes. It was hard to make this decision, as I quite like the photos of fully broken in FQHH jackets, not sure if Vicenza will age as nicely. Let’s see.

My BR has one internal pocket – without snap, because it is deep enough to hold a telephone or sunglasses and doesn’t show through. It is lined with the same soft moleskin, that is used for the handwarmer pockets. If I would order again, I would go with a right and a left inner pocket, just for balance.

I think handwarmer pockets look much better with zippers, especially if your jacket has zipped chest pockets. These pockets are not very deep, therefore a closure is practical if you plan to put your wallet in.

You can have BR or CR sleeves on your jacket. I have CR sleeves on a BR jacket (@Fanch would like this). I prefer having the zipper at the back, covered by leather; it's more understated.

It’s worth thinking about tartan as lining. Have a look at the Loch Carron website, there is a huge selection and most of them come in three weights reiver weight is soft and smooth, colours in this weight are more vibrant, braeriach is a mid weight and strome is a proper kilt fabric. I am quite happy with a lining in braeriach; it will be warm enough for spring, autumn and most of winter here in the South of the UK.

Have you already thought about the kind of zippers you would like?

I visited the Aero Factory and that’s what I recommend you to do. In the UK, we have the benefit of living relatively close to Edinburgh. It’s just an hour and a half from London and it’s easy to find a cheap flight. I had things to do in Edinburgh anyway, but planning my jacket with Denny, trying on jackets, handling the material and visiting the Factory alone would have been worth the trip.


You might want to have a look at my old thread:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/before-getting-an-aero-board-racer-things-to-consider.86700/

 

[Rich22]

I think these are Board Racers. Absence of shoulder gussets, back seam and collar suggest so.

They do look more like it, but are sold as "Cafe Racers". Odd! I like the name Board Racer better, brings up fever mental images of obese people in diners.

 

[eugenesque]

I think these are Board Racers. Absence of shoulder gussets, back seam and collar suggest so.

Yeap those are board racers. Bottoms are flared as zippers don't go all the way down. I think that's something you may want to consider because the flaring thing may not be to everyone's liking. Though I ordered the board racer and customed the zipper to go all the way to the bottom so that it wouldn't flare.

 

[Monitor]

Yeap those are board racers. Bottoms are flared as zippers don't go all the way down. I think that's something you may want to consider because the flaring thing may not be to everyone's liking. Though I ordered the board racer and customed the zipper to go all the way to the bottom so that it wouldn't flare.

That's my favorite thing about CR's. I've skipped on a whole number of really beautiful jackets just because the zipper reached all the way down to the hem.