Another '40's motorcycle jacket...

[Mike1973]

Seeing the Baron's recent purchase reminded me I said I'd post photos of this jacket when I had a chance...
Won on Ebay last October, I forget the price now but I think even with shipping to the UK it was well under £80.

Detail of the bi-fold back and waist buckle

Cuff detail

 

[Mike1973]

And the Talon zip, very G-1 like! And as far as I can tell original to the jacket.

And the breast pocket. Zip puller has U.S.A. on the back. The 1949 dime fell out of the liner...

Main pocket detail. Button looks to be original.

Back detail, scallop is very subtle.

 

[Mike1973]

And the fit isn't bad, but it's not perfect... (Sorry about the photo, all I've got to hand)

Ok in the Chest and arms, but the back is really short, resting on the top of my old style LEVI's. I'm guessing if I was a couple of inches shorter it would be perfect :eusa_doh:

But overall a really well made jacket, and the leather is in great condition. I'm not sure what it is, goat maybe?

 

[Daniel Hunter]

Great looking jacket Sir.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Lovely Jacket, Mike! I think i recall the auction. I certainly remember the waist pockets.

I'm guessing if I was a couple of inches shorter it would be perfect :eusa_doh:

If i hadn't recently found the one, i might be saying: I'm a few inches shorter than you, wink wink. As it is, my moto jacket cache is overgrown. Look out for more threads soon!!

bk

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Looks like goat, Mike, but hard-ish to tell without seeing/touching/PCRing ( ) it in person.

Love those buttoned lower pockets.

bk

 

[Edward]

Grand jacket - looks like it could almost have been the original that the Aero 30s half-belt was based on.... Really sharp.

 

[jeep44]

Wow-what hit the front of your VW?lol

 

[jamespibworth@n]

I like these old M/C jackets.

And yours looks great. I’m betting on goat.

James

 

[BellyTank]

Goat for sure.

Nice jacket.


B
T

 

[Jacket Man]

I hate to say this, but you are officially the winner of the "Best Vintage Motorcycle Leather Jacket Finder - Under 50 - First Half of 21st Century." It looks great.

 

[bdb71]

That jacket looks great!! its probably short in the back because its cut to accomodate a kidney belt, one I had was that way and it does feel a little strange. my current one is longer in the back but the lower panel resembles a kidney belt and feels like a standard jacket

Now all you need to do is roll a BSA Goldie outta the back of that vdub and hit the road

 

[cafebmw]

california sportwear

that is for sure a very nice jacket made by california sportwear company, los angeles, california. most likely it had originally the 'green mountain' label. so it's from the late 40's, early 50's. see also rin tanaka 'motorcycle jacket'. i have 2 jackets by that company, both in goat. i'll post pictures as soon as i can.

 

[taggers]

Yeah, I'd go for the kidney-belt explanation too.

A couple of years ago I found a little shop- more of a barn really- off Clingancourt in Paris. It was jammed with very similar jackets to that, although they generally had buttons, so I guess they were earlier.

I didn't buy one because, in reality they were too far gone, cracked and torn, not wearable, but they had been gorgeous in their day. As far as I could tell, the chap called them "riding jackets".

Anyway. They were all bum-freezers, VERY high at the back.

 

[Charlie Noodles]

Cool jacket. Say, with their short lengths; do these jackets often end up marked as women's on the bay?

 

[jack miranda]

Hi, Taggers: That is a sweetheart jacket. Good score.

I'll go with the other votes for goat. I remember this jacket when it was up for bids on ebay. I'm glad someone got it who appreciates it and wears it well.

 

[cafebmw]

it's a sport jacket

btw, it wasn't marketed as a motorcycle jacket, but as a sport jacket. i use mine for motorcycling too, but only in the city. it just doesn't give enough protection, low back, leather not very thick, and all...

 

[STW]

That jacket looks great!! its probably short in the back because its cut to accomodate a kidney belt, one I had was that way and it does feel a little strange. my current one is longer in the back but the lower panel resembles a kidney belt and feels like a standard jacket

Now all you need to do is roll a BSA Goldie outta the back of that vdub and hit the road

Tell us more about what a kidney belt is, please. I'm familiar with the kidney panel on some moto jackets, but it souds like you're talking about a separate belt. Thanks.

By the way to the OP, great jacket and VW.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

Super sweet deal. Now you can live happily ever after


A kidneybelt is a wide belt that is made to support your inner organs during motorcycle riding. It fits snug and you can feel the support as soon as you put it on. Usually one gets some pain in the lower back and "in the kidneys" after a long ride. With the kidneybelt you dont get the same amount of pain (however there is always a small degree of "wear" on the back lol
Nowdays there are more sophisticated belts then just thick leather. They have elastics and velcro and stuff to give better comfort and you dont get as squeezed as with the old styles.


My dad used to have a factory where he made clothes in the 70´s. He did both cloth and leather and had about 30 women sewing things togehter.
In our home he had a small workshop and he made many things of lether, usually from really thick "saddle leather".

He made wallets, leather pants, hats, vests, jackets, belts, and also sidebags for his homebuilt chopper. We used to take a ride on it and then we always wore kidneybelts that he made for me. A shame I dont have them still to show you. Small and wide belts made for a 6 year old would be kinda cute.

Thinking about it, its a shame i dont have anything at all from that period. I got a snakeskinbelt and thats it. Dad had some vests still and some 5-pocket leather pants and some suede jackets but he does have some of the plans/maps still.

 

[Edward]

Thinking about it, its a shame i dont have anything at all from that period. I got a snakeskinbelt and thats it. Dad had some vests still and some 5-pocket leather pants and some suede jackets but he does have some of the plans/maps still.

You ever tempted to get into making stuff of your own the way some of the guys on the Lounge have?