Aero Cafe Racer - Opinions!

[olworthers]

Hi All,

Right I'll try this post again as I started a thread yesterday twice (by accident) and I think it's been cancelled!

I'm about to order an aero leathers cafe racer. Amanda has kindly sent me some material samples and I'm trying to decide between the heavy horsehide or steerhide. Also I'm tempted to go for brown rather than black. Any thoughts or opinions from existing owners...?!

Many thanks,

OW

 

[jksu]

limited experience here but i can say i love aero's brown oil pull horsehide.

i also have a rich, thick supple cowhide jacket from fox creek... totally different beast literally. you'll have to just pick what you like...and like many of us, will likely eventually get both (and eventually goat and others too ;-)

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

The CafeRacer looks incredible in brown!

 

[olworthers]

limited experience here but i can say i love aero's brown oil pull horsehide.

i also have a rich, thick supple cowhide jacket from fox creek... totally different beast literally. you'll have to just pick what you like...and like many of us, will likely eventually get both (and eventually goat and others too ;-)

Thank you for the feedback!

The horsehide is superb - I've got an aero barnstormer in horsehide and it is truly exceptional hide.

I've got some samples from Amanda and the steer and horse are very similar.

I agree that I'll probably end up with both!! I'm tempted to go for the steerhide as something a bit different to all the horsehide out there...!

 

[olworthers]

The CafeRacer looks incredible in brown!

I'm definitely leaning towards brown!

 

[eClairvaux]

You have to add that Griff's CR is a light brown, which I agree lokks lovely. I would not choose standard FQHH brown though. To me the CR is a black classic and varieties would have to be markedly different, like Griff's choice.

 

[mattp]

I agree that the classic cafe racer is black, but having said that I've just ordered one in brown FQHH. I just love the look of the brown, and I already have a black cafe racer (not Aero). If I didn't have that, now that would be a tough call! It looks great in any of Aero's leathers though, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

You have to add that Griff's CR is a light brown, which I agree lokks lovely. I would not choose standard FQHH brown though. To me the CR is a black classic and varieties would have to be markedly different, like Griff's choice.

I actually meant normal brown FQHH.
The reason I said it is because I have seen it in brown, and I think it looks amazing!! So much better then I would have thought and it almost made me get one myself in that color.

I do agree that one should have a black one also

 

[olworthers]

I agreed that black is the classic colour for the style, there is just something different about the brown that I really like...

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=62

All I need to do now is decide if it's horse or steer hide....!!!

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

I would definitely go horsehide on this model. Their steerhide can potentially be very very hard and I think it might be very uncomfortable in this model since its so skintight and its movement restricted as it is in itself.
I had a Highwayman that was steerhide and it was as stiff as a saddle, but i did ask for stiff hides.

Another model like the king of the road or something should be cool in steerhide i think. It makes an impression if you almost cant lift it from the floor

 

[olworthers]

Thanks Griff!

I also fancy a J106 for the future - that might be steerhide.

Ok, so brown horsehide it is then!!

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

Yeah the J106 looks very cool. Love it.

 

[Doublegun]

I'm also struggling with deciding which CR and how to have it configured. Honestly, I am having a difficult time distinguishing the differences in designs from the picks on Aero's web site.

I am probably going to opt for Seal Smooth HH or Seal Jerky HH in brown (just not a black leather jacket kind of guy) because I doubt I'll ever ride a bike and I already have a LHB in FQHH and I think I want a jacket that's more supple and a little lighter. Thinking no side pockets, two chest pockets, zippered sleeves but not sure about the bi-swing back.

I don't want to hi-jack the thread but I would appreciate any advice or direction.

 

[mattp]

Doublegun, check out the half length biswing back, which is just behind the shoulder area and not all the way down to the kidney panel. It's a good middle ground if you don't want to go to fully plain back (which is also a good option, have a look at GriffDeLaGriff's CR which he had changed from biswing to plain).
I went with the shoulder only bi-swing as I felt the full biswing back was a bit much and not functionally necessary for me, and I think it gives the bit of extra room when driving or crossing your arms etc, but still looks quite smooth from behind.
As for the leathers, you could always ask Amanda to send you some samples?

 

[Doublegun]

@mattp; Amanda did send me samples - now I just have to make a decision. Where can I find pic's of Griff's CR?

 

[olworthers]

@mattp; Amanda did send me samples - now I just have to make a decision. Where can I find pic's of Griff's CR?

Here you go: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?61648-My-modified-Cafe-Racer&p=1389166#post1389166

 

[olworthers]

@mattp; Amanda did send me samples - now I just have to make a decision. Where can I find pic's of Griff's CR?

Incidentally, I'm in the same place as you - got the leather samples and struggled with the decision. Like you I'm not sure I'm a 'black leather bike jacket' guy, I know the brown is the way to go for me, just wanted opinions of the guys here!

 

[olworthers]

Matt - thanks for the info on the shoulder only bi swing back - I think that's the way I'll go. Also going with the 4 pocket option.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

The original thread of my jacket: Thread 1
Modified back: Thread 2

 

[Doublegun]

Thanks, Griff - that made up my mind. I'll order the same back as you have. One more question (at least for now) what lining do you have? In fact, would you mind sending me a PM detailing exactly what you ordered? I don't think I would change anything and order mine in seal jerky or smooth horse.

My brown FQHH jacket just keeps getting better and better with virtually every wearing. I just hope the leather I get for my CR wears the same way. It's all subjective but I think the more wear a brown leather jacket shows the better it looks but I don't feel the same way about black. A well worn brown leather jackets speaks to experience - been there, done that and is almost elegant whereas a worn black jacket says aging biker or aging wanna-be rock star. Again, it's just personal preference.