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Advice on leather choice for a MC jacket please.

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
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4,819
What about stitching color? Olive drab also works well with black (and will match the lining). Or will it be classic black on black?

Did you get to see the boxy Talon zippers when you were last there? IMO, they are much better than the stock repro bell shape talons. But they only come in raw brass and shorter lengths zips.
 

Aloysius

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4,160
Now that's interesting!

I admit to thinking that sateen and satin were the same thing and I'd have worried about it tearing easily.

Thank you for that, appreciated.

Denny from Aero noted that he recommends drill (due to its weight) to go with the heavy CXL leather, and sateen with midweight leathers.
 

moktabe

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
UK
What about stitching color? Olive drab also works well with black (and will match the lining). Or will it be classic black on black?

Did you get to see the boxy Talon zippers when you were last there? IMO, they are much better than the stock repro bell shape talons. But they only come in raw brass and shorter lengths zips.

Sticking with black stitching, have Olive drab stitching on my others and although I'm very happy with it decided to stay with black for this one.
No, I didn't get to see the zips, just decided on the colours from the Aero site before I went up there.
 

MrProper

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4,429
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Europe
It does have a full action back and that's why I went for it. Not so much for the reach as I don't ride, more for the looks of it. it's a busy front so thought may as well have a busy back!
Chloe suggested we went for the 44" which is the same as the Sheene as the J106 was a very similar cut.
I feel the hem on the Sheene could have done with 2" less but I can live with that, the hem on the biker has been reduced by 2" as when zipped I'd use the belt and it'd reduce any potential 'puckering' around the hem.
I took on board what @MrProper said however, the amount of small changes I'd have gone for (belt, belt loops, kidney panel etc ) might have been a bit much so I thought I may as well go the route I have as there are less changes to the overall pattern.
I'd have never even thought of a different back until the post where that guy had it done. It was in naked HH and, for me, the benefits of that colour highlighted the details of the jacket in the photos better than photos of a black one would.
Talking of MrProper, I blame him for my Sheene as it was when I saw his I thought 'wonderful, need one' :D

LOL
Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Ridley (if based on the slim motorcycle jacket pattern) is smaller than a Sheene. My Ridley is a size 44, while the Sheene is a large 40. So I would go more to 46 if you want it like your Sheene. Unless of course the j-106 pattern is different than the slim motorcycle jacket.
 

moktabe

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
UK
LOL
Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Ridley (if based on the slim motorcycle jacket pattern) is smaller than a Sheene. My Ridley is a size 44, while the Sheene is a large 40. So I would go more to 46 if you want it like your Sheene. Unless of course the j-106 pattern is different than the slim motorcycle jacket.

I asked Chloe re sizing as my Windward is a 46 and my Sheene is a 44. They both fit very well and mailed her photos of them being worn.
I believe she spoke with Denny re sizing and she told me they'd recommend a 44 in the J106 as the fit was similar to the Sheene i.e. a slimmer fit than the Windward.
As said further up I asked them to reduce the hem width by 2" from my Sheene.
I can only go by what they recommend as they know the fit whereas I don't. When I was originally going to go up and collect my jackets I asked if they'd have any bikers I could try on. Chloe said it was doubtful as they aren't jackets they usually carry as stock so the sizing would have been taken from another style anyhow.
 
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Edward

Bartender
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25,111
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London, UK
Looking forward to seeing this one. Aero have a great range of hides. For me if I'm going brown it's almost impossible to see past the CXL, though for black I'm more open. The Vicenza is really nice in blackened-brown - more of a warm undertone, it's not going to produce a 'teacore' type jacket that goes mostly brown at an accelerated rate. The Badalassi I've yet to handle, but it really looks nice, especially if it has a a similar 'hand' to the Vicenza. The vicenza halfbelt I tried on back in 2014 was immediately more supple than the CXL FQHH, though it felt no less tough, and just as thick. The slight differences in properties across different leathers is one of the most fascinating aspects of these leathers.
 

MrProper

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4,429
Location
Europe
Looking forward to seeing this one. Aero have a great range of hides. For me if I'm going brown it's almost impossible to see past the CXL, though for black I'm more open. The Vicenza is really nice in blackened-brown - more of a warm undertone, it's not going to produce a 'teacore' type jacket that goes mostly brown at an accelerated rate. The Badalassi I've yet to handle, but it really looks nice, especially if it has a a similar 'hand' to the Vicenza. The vicenza halfbelt I tried on back in 2014 was immediately more supple than the CXL FQHH, though it felt no less tough, and just as thick. The slight differences in properties across different leathers is one of the most fascinating aspects of these leathers.

From an email from Aero when I ordered the Ridley.
„I wouldn’t have advised you a size 46” in the Café Racer based on these measurements, knowing you’d like a neat fit. I would agree a 42” would be more in line with your measurements. That said, the Slim Fit Motorcycle is a much neater cut than the Café Racer, so I would say a size 44” would be a better base size for you. If you’re looking for a truly tight fit we could taper it down a size under the chest, but this would make it non-returnable.“

I can only imagine now that the j-106 pattern will be larger than the slim fit motorcycle jacket pattern.
 

moktabe

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
UK
LOL
Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Ridley (if based on the slim motorcycle jacket pattern) is smaller than a Sheene. My Ridley is a size 44, while the Sheene is a large 40. So I would go more to 46 if you want it like your Sheene. Unless of course the j-106 pattern is different than the slim motorcycle jacket.

I asked Chloe re sizing as my Windward is a 46 and my Sheene is a 44. They both fit very well and mailed her photos of them being worn.
I believe she spoke with Denny re sizing and she told me they'd recommend a 44 in the J106 as the fit was similar to the Sheene i.e. a slimmer fit than the Windward.
As said further up I asked them to reduce the hem width by 2" from my Sheene.
I can only go by what they recommend as they know the fit whereas I don't. When I was originally to go up and collect my jackets I asked if they'd have any bikers I could try on. Chloe said it was doubtful as they aren't jackets the usually carry as stock so the sizing would have been taken from another style anyhow.
From an email from Aero when I ordered the Ridley.
„I wouldn’t have advised you a size 46” in the Café Racer based on these measurements, knowing you’d like a neat fit. I would agree a 42” would be more in line with your measurements. That said, the Slim Fit Motorcycle is a much neater cut than the Café Racer, so I would say a size 44” would be a better base size for you. If you’re looking for a truly tight fit we could taper it down a size under the chest, but this would make it non-returnable.“

I can only imagine now that the j-106 pattern will be larger than the slim fit motorcycle jacket pattern.
 

Salmosalar

A-List Customer
Messages
414
Looking forward to seeing this one. Aero have a great range of hides. For me if I'm going brown it's almost impossible to see past the CXL, though for black I'm more open. The Vicenza is really nice in blackened-brown - more of a warm undertone, it's not going to produce a 'teacore' type jacket that goes mostly brown at an accelerated rate. The Badalassi I've yet to handle, but it really looks nice, especially if it has a a similar 'hand' to the Vicenza. The vicenza halfbelt I tried on back in 2014 was immediately more supple than the CXL FQHH, though it felt no less tough, and just as thick. The slight differences in properties across different leathers is one of the most fascinating aspects of these leathers.
The badalassi in both brown and black is a far nicer hide than the vicenza in my view - it has more character, colour depth and a smoother hand - it is more similar to the Lewis premium vegecow in all those regards. I have attached a quick shot of the Weayfarer after a week of wear and being caught out in the rain - its is shaping up really well and is v comfortable to wear out of the box. I have three badalassi and three vicenza Aero jackets and I would place all of the former head and shoulders above the latter - the vicenza is still a great quality hide, but the badalassi is really something special.
EDCADD63-A44F-4D31-AB01-88949374F415.jpeg
 

moktabe

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
UK
@MrProper

Sent this photo of the rear of the Sheene ref sizing. I wouldn't want it any smaller on the shoulders and with the hem being 2" narrower it will slightly increase the 'V' shape.
The order has been placed however, when Chloe calls to take the deposit I'll double check with her.
FCD67A31-7977-457A-B0C8-252E48E67D7C_1_201_a.jpeg
 

moktabe

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
UK
Just received a mail saying the black Badalassi has arrived with Aero so my mongrel MC jacket will be put into production today. A J106 front with a King of The Road back, antique brass hardwear apart from the studs that'll be in brass.
Hem is being reduced by 4 ins from my Sheene and all other measurements the same. I'll collect the MC jacket and leave the Sheene with them to be trimmed down hem wise.

Will be a nice Xmas pressie to myself!

On another note the tobacco Badalassi Sheene and the CXLSH Windward are breaking in wonderfully, although both do get hammered wear wise....always wearing one or the other. What has surprised me is how warm the Windward is with the alpaca lining.
 

moktabe

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
UK
BD7DFDA0-5A4B-4192-8432-79480C4876BE.jpeg
211FE87F-9568-4B3A-BA93-6F53049E1723.jpeg
1CB85E68-DE23-4D5E-8218-9E1320CFF23E.jpeg
A7CF1134-3DDC-4904-9E19-24C7012B8EC3.jpeg


A couple of anomalies from the order but the jacket (in my eyes) is stunning.

Zips should have been on top of the sleeves but can easily live with then where they are, studs should have been brass. but can easily be changed.

Off up to Aero Monday with my Sheene to have a couple of inches taken out of the hem, this jacket could also do with the same but maybe that's just me being Mr Picky :)

Hopefully manage to get the studs changed also.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-‘mongrel’-aero.106144/
 
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