Ask a Question, Get An Answer About Outerwear

[Aloysius]

Does anyone except Aero make ANJ-3 jackets patterned on originals?

I reached to finally place the order for one (I've wanted to for years) only to discover that they're no longer making the AAF configuration that combines the A-2 look with the superior USN patterning.

EDIT: I realized that I already know the answer– it’s the legendary Dave Sheeley, though for his work I’d be paying double which is probably I had my mind set on Aero…

 

[navetsea]

How do I remove paint from a leather jacket? I inadvertently leaned against a pole and now I can some paint marks on my black leather jacket. I tried soap and cloth, and that didnt help.

if the paint was wet and just happened I would use wide cellotape to lift off the paint, but now probably you need leather cleaner sold for cleaning/ stripping shoe polish if your leather is open pore vegtan or something with overdye, if your leather is just normal black drum dyed pigment coated chrometan then I would dab some babyoil on a rag and wipe it off.

 

[Will Zach]

If the leather is pigment-coated, you will have more options and better chance of success. Try some liquid soap with gentle rubbing with a rag first. I would go as far as isopropyl alcohol on a swab if nothing else works. Test it first in an inconspicuous place though to make sure it does not take off the topcoat - it may dull it.

 

[Pandemic]

Would a looped ball and chain zipper look out of place on the breast pocket of a 50s J24 era x-zip?

 

[Marc mndt]

Would a looped ball and chain zipper look out of place on the breast pocket of a 50s J24 era x-zip?

This is what it looks like. Period correct? No. But no one in the world except jacket weirdos like us would notice.

If you like the look of them I'd say go for it.

 

[Ingramite]

This is what it looks like. Period correct? No. But no one in the world except jacket weirdos like us would notice.

If you like the look of them I'd say go for it.

View attachment 452380

It looks like the perfect place to mount the rabbit foot zipper pull.

 

[Pandemic]

Sorry for all the questions, lately!

Has anyone seen black stitching on a dark brown jacket? Would that look weird? I like brown on black but I suspect the reverse is not going to work.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Sorry for all the questions, lately!

Has anyone seen black stitching on a dark brown jacket? Would that look weird? I like brown on black but I suspect the reverse is not going to work.

Usually on the teacore jackets the thread will be closely matching the base or teacore color. So when it starts fading it blends well. That's what I see most often.
Olive drab is really the wonder thread color. Seems to work on every color without being too over powering, but just enough to stand out a little so feels premium.

 

[Marc mndt]

Sorry for all the questions, lately!

Has anyone seen black stitching on a dark brown jacket? Would that look weird? I like brown on black but I suspect the reverse is not going to work.

My teacore Thedi has black stitching.

 

[Pandemic]

as a follow-up, I asked Julie the same question and she provided the following:

Good morning …photos below!
First is dark seal with the brown or black stitch, black lining and zip.
Second is blackened brown with both stitch colours again …plus brown lining and zip

 

[Monitor]

Help me out; Should I leave the HD eagle patch alone or remove it?
Vote with emoji...

Thumbs up: Keep the patch.
Anger: Remove it!

 

[Delmared]

Can someone give me an idea of time period of manufacture and leather quality of this Sears Oakbrook?

Thank you to @tmitchell59 for the amazing thread on Sears motorcycle jacket history!! Makes me wish I had a 50’s Hercules HH!

After reading, I noticed that examples of early 60’s Oakbrook jackets all had diamond zipper pulls. This one seems to have round zipper pulls. Would that make it late 60’s? Seller is asking $100.

Thank you to all the TFL regulars!

 

[JMax]

Help me out; Should I leave the HD eagle patch alone or remove it?
Vote with emoji...

Thumbs up: Keep the patch.
Anger: Remove it!

Stitch holes drive me crazy. But I hate HD patches. Maybe replace with a patch that means something to you? That’s generally my MO. Especially with vests.

If it was a big patch I would avoid the jacket/vest, but that’s me.

 

[Viking752]

Help me out; Should I leave the HD eagle patch alone or remove it?
Vote with emoji...

Thumbs up: Keep the patch.
Anger: Remove it!

Is that the jacket that survived the Ukrainian invasion? That looks to be some very substantial leather on that one.

 

[Monitor]

Can someone give me an idea of time period of manufacture and leather quality of this Sears Oakbrook?

Thank you to @tmitchell59 for the amazing thread on Sears motorcycle jacket history!! Makes me wish I had a 50’s Hercules HH!

After reading, I noticed that examples of early 60’s Oakbrook jackets all had diamond zipper pulls. This one seems to have round zipper pulls. Would that make it late 60’s? Seller is asking $100.

Thank you to all the TFL regulars!

Earlier examples of precisely this model are outstanding. I have one, it's among the best jackets that I've ever had. It just might literally be the only jacket I never sold (thus far) & I still wear it a lot. But the leather on the later ones isn't the best. You're right, the safest way to tell the earlier models apart are the diamond pulls (and general look of the leather but I guess you'd have to handle one to be sure on that).

This looks like a later model, made in that light gray over-dyed leather. $100 is a great price for one in any case!

 

[Monitor]

Stitch holes drive me crazy. But I hate HD patches. Maybe replace with a patch that means something to you? That’s generally my MO. Especially with vests.

If it was a big patch I would avoid the jacket/vest, but that’s me.

That's exactly the cause of the conundrum I am faced with here. I hate stitch holes and I hate HD patches. To an equal extent though I do admit, a patch is generally more fun. If only the jacket wasn't this good...

Is that the jacket that survived the Ukrainian invasion? That looks to be some very substantial leather on that one.

That's the one! I made a whole thread on it, how much I love this jacket!

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/mosquito-motorcycle-leather-jacket-review.107952/

 

[Jiaward]

Maybe something has changed, it’s been a year or so. Please let me know how they work when they arrive.

First one was defective, so had to exchange. Trying now to get some smoke out of my Cycle Champ. It seems to work a bit. Box definitely says - not for retail sale in California- Amazon sent it though with no problems.

 

[JMax]

First one was defective, so had to exchange. Trying now to get some smoke out of my Cycle Champ. It seems to work a bit. Box definitely says - not for retail sale in California- Amazon sent it though with no problems.

For tough smells— Keep hitting it. Then air out for a couple days. Hit it again
Air it out. Hit it. Air it. Hit it. Air it….until smell gone. Some crap holds on for a bit.

How long are you running the machine?

 

[navetsea]

Help me out; Should I leave the HD eagle patch alone or remove it?
Vote with emoji...

Thumbs up: Keep the patch.
Anger: Remove it!

if the jacket has been patched for sometime then creases already adjusting to form around it, depatching it would leave holes and probably different shade of fading, and confused creases on the area, so I would leave it alone.

 

[Jiaward]

For tough smells— Keep hitting it. Then air out for a couple days. Hit it again
Air it out. Hit it. Air it. Hit it. Air it….until smell gone. Some crap holds on for a bit.

How long are you running the machine?

I went for 60 mins a couple times but its just hanging in a small room. I probably need to put in box to focus on jacket only I suppose.