semolina_pilchard
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 397
- Location
- Europe
I was lucky enough to find this California Sportswear Co 'Speed King' motorcycle jacket on eBay. I immediately made an offer and it was automatically accepted.
Here's the description from the seller:
I am offering one of those "Unicorn" items that your never, ever find: An original California Sportswear Company - Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket. There is not ONE flaw in the interior quilted lining, around the insides of the cuffs, or at the neck. The pockets are as perfect and clean as the day it was made. There is NOTHING that could be considered a "flaw" on the horsehide shell of the jacket. The original horsehide belt appears never to have been worn or even buckled for that matter. Yes...it is SEVENTY YEARS OLD, and looks nearly new. All of the Zippers work and the small metal rings are still intact. To find a nicer one, you'll have to visit the Smithsonian or the Harley Davidson Museum. I am not sure what "model" it is, but it is a thing of beauty. There are virtually no creases and very few if any real signs of wear. There are some "shiny" areas here and there, but those are simply from moving it from closet to closet over the last seventy years.
I bought this from an old buddy of mine decades ago to wear riding my '51 Panhead, but I was never really thin enough to wear it comfortably. So it has hung in a bag in various closets since I was in my late mid-thirties. This is SERIOUS motorcycle jacket. It will take at least a year of so to break it in and that is if you wear it a LOT. I have had several over the years and this is the heaviest horsehide I have ever seen, yet it is very supple and not stiff. My asking price reflects the condition and rarity of this jacket and I don't apologize for it in the least.
It was accurately described, to say the least. It looks like new. I think it's a 1950s jacket, so to receive a >70 year old jacket in this condition - I am astounded.
Here are some photos to do more of the talking:
Here's the description from the seller:
I am offering one of those "Unicorn" items that your never, ever find: An original California Sportswear Company - Horsehide Motorcycle Jacket. There is not ONE flaw in the interior quilted lining, around the insides of the cuffs, or at the neck. The pockets are as perfect and clean as the day it was made. There is NOTHING that could be considered a "flaw" on the horsehide shell of the jacket. The original horsehide belt appears never to have been worn or even buckled for that matter. Yes...it is SEVENTY YEARS OLD, and looks nearly new. All of the Zippers work and the small metal rings are still intact. To find a nicer one, you'll have to visit the Smithsonian or the Harley Davidson Museum. I am not sure what "model" it is, but it is a thing of beauty. There are virtually no creases and very few if any real signs of wear. There are some "shiny" areas here and there, but those are simply from moving it from closet to closet over the last seventy years.
I bought this from an old buddy of mine decades ago to wear riding my '51 Panhead, but I was never really thin enough to wear it comfortably. So it has hung in a bag in various closets since I was in my late mid-thirties. This is SERIOUS motorcycle jacket. It will take at least a year of so to break it in and that is if you wear it a LOT. I have had several over the years and this is the heaviest horsehide I have ever seen, yet it is very supple and not stiff. My asking price reflects the condition and rarity of this jacket and I don't apologize for it in the least.
It was accurately described, to say the least. It looks like new. I think it's a 1950s jacket, so to receive a >70 year old jacket in this condition - I am astounded.
Here are some photos to do more of the talking:
