Custom Vanson Chopper - Input Needed

[jpk_NJ]

Either Z150 or Comp Weight (leaning this way). With no lapel snaps, the front would be similar to Cascade. Otherwise when fully zipped, Im left with two "shiny snap nipples" on the chest! Super noticeable on all black but with the contrast white thread the snaps might be less noticeable

 

[JMax]

I see what you are getting at. I usually do not zip all the way up. Unless cooler, a rarity in south Florida. I think you know what you need to do lol. It will look great.

 

[Edward]

Contrasting stitching - just a slight contrast like dark grey / graphite. Something to show off the details but not screaming like bright white

The drawback with white contrast stitching is that it can look grubby quickly. Sublte is good here. I have an Aero A2 with olive drab stitching on seal goat; took a while to notice it, then when I did it really popped. Maybe something of that ilk here - the grey could be a good idea.

Hardware - either all blacked out or Nickel zips with black studs.

I'm not a fan of black hardware - far to modern looking for my aesthetic (then it's a rare post 1960 design I actually like too....), and I thinkit can end up looking cheap and nasty, especially on zips.

Chrome always looks good on a bike jacket, though if you want something that veers away from the run of the mill, I don't think you can beat shiny brass, allowed to patina itself, on black leather.

This is mainly for actual riding, Triump Bonneville Black Edition. Going to ask if the Vanson "velcro armor" system can be added, but I doubt it since the Chopper has slimmer sleeves based on my experience

Nice bike. Be interested to hear what they say on this; I've always thought Vanson were really missing a trick not adding armour to any of their classic-looking models. Even Lewis are doing a couple of models with armour these days!

There it is!! That's the look Im after. Not sure about the different color sleeve gusset though. Kind of surprised how good the brass hardware looks on black w contrast thread. Figured it had to be silver or black. Decisions decisions

Go with the brass! If you're gonig to have a custom order, I think it's always cool to have something that you wouldn't have been ble to order off the peg...

IMO black hardware usually looks cheap and 80s, zippers even more so.
I would go brass or nickel, not black.

Agreed.

While not in play with the chopper, Vanson can also hide the snaps ala a Cal-Leather. Just have to request it.

I think that would be vastly preferable to rendering them in black. (If anything, I often feel blacked-out snaps look like a cheap way of trying to get the same effect as hiding them under the leather in the way you see on an A2 collar.)

I love the way brass and black leather go together. I would recommend considering yellow/gold contrast stitching to compliment the brass hardware if you go that way.

Black goes with everything, really, but especially brass. You can also do silver/nickel/chrome if you want to.

Yellow/gold could be good.

If you don't think gold would work for you, but you're still considering a contrast stitch, then I'd recommend a burnt orange, maybe. One of my Langtlitz Columbia jackets has gold contrast stitching, and it does get dirty, but this helps tone it down and makes the effect subtle, which I find desirable.

I'm reminded of the stitching round the soles of DM shoes I used to wear at school. They started off orange, then we were encouraged to 'polish them down' for school use, lest the head get funny about them - the uniform code specified 'plain black leather dress shoes' (no gutties allowed). When it came the Summer and you wanted to wear them out of school, the ting to do was stop polishing over the threads. They tended then to come up a golden, yellow colour, which looked very cool against black leather. I've often been tempted to replicate that effect with yellow stitching in a black leather jacket.

 

[2wheelgrplr]

Re: Vanson and armored leather jacket options, besides the armored Comet and Model AR3 etc they offer in their regular lineup, Vanson has also partnered with UnionGarageNYC to produce the very neat V7 jackets, armored CR style jackets available only through UGNYC. I know it’s not a crosszip like the Chopper we’re discussing here, but nevertheless it’s a great armored leather jacket option. I’m a big fan.
http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/featured/union-garage-v7-jacket

UGNYC has also partnered with Vanson to produce a classic style wax cotton jacket with armor option, their Robinson jacket. Again, another jacket that I swear by. http://uniongaragenyc.com/shop/featured/union-garage-robinson-jacket

I’ve been trying to talk the owner, Chris Lesser, to do an armored cross-zip leather variant. Hopefully one day!

 

[jpk_NJ]

Bringing this back up as Im about halfway through the wait time for production and questioning my decision on interior pocket setup. Definitely going with two zippered/horizontal ones in lining but have mixed feelings on the massive leather lined gun pocket in the facing. I know it sounds cool and all, but unfortunately no legal gun carrying in NJ, so Im not sure it's worth the added bulk. So, do those of you with cross zips actually use this pocket?? I can have it built without or maybe just have it fabric lined instead.

 

[JMax]

I use it to carry. If not I would have it fabric lined as it does add some bulk. Make your body seem thicker than it really is lol.

In fact, if not for my pistols, I probably would get rid of them completely.

 

[El Marro]

Bringing this back up as Im about halfway through the wait time for production and questioning my decision on interior pocket setup. Definitely going with two zippered/horizontal ones in lining but have mixed feelings on the massive leather lined gun pocket in the facing. I know it sounds cool and all, but unfortunately no legal gun carrying in NJ, so Im not sure it's worth the added bulk. So, do those of you with cross zips actually use this pocket?? I can have it built without or maybe just have it fabric lined instead.

jpk,
I have had my Chopper for a week and a half now and so far I have not used that pocket at all. I use the inside pocket to carry my glasses and a leather lined pocket seemed a little too rough for that purpose. If it was fabric lined it would be a lot more useful to me. As far as bulk, it does not seem to me as though it makes too much of a difference in the jacket and I would not make the decision based on that alone.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Just noticed their Portland jacket has a smaller in the facing pocket. Going to ask them for that style lined in fabric. No need for the bulky leather pocket.

Think adding Armpit vent grommets to a Chopper would be out of place ?

 

[JMax]

Not out of place, just not sure if the juice would be worth the squeeze.

 

[b1lf]

Get the competition weight leather, hands down. This is what Vanson is known for... getting anything else would be a shame.


I'm also in favor of brass hardware.

 

[JMax]

I don’t know about it being a shame— Vanson has some other very nice stuff. I actually prefer some of their other offerings but comp. weight is stellar, no doubt about that.