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Favorite zipper pull (replacement)?

STW

Familiar Face
Messages
65
Location
Rocky mountains
Hoping the FL experts know of a way to replace a paperclip style zipper pull with something else. I have never liked yanking on the paperclip pulls and also don't like leather pulls hanging from them. What I like are vintage style bell shaped or circular cut out metal pulls. The pulls I'd like to replace are on MC jackets with new production chunky Talon brass zippers that work great, except for the paperclip. Since these MC jackets are not vintage or historical repros, there is no need to get a certain zip or pull, or pull type.

Most of the zipper pulls I've seen for sale on the interenet are meant to be added to a standard pull and they are bright or big or goofy. Is there a place to buy a replacement vintage style pull?

It's easy to see how to remove a paperclip pull, but I'm not sure how or if a regular bell shaped pull could be installed in the hole left (?)

Another zipper pull I'd be interested in is the hanging kind you see on some vintage MC jacket pockets that have a small ball shape hanging from a few links of flexible chain.
 

gfirob

Familiar Face
Messages
80
Location
Baltimore, Md, USA
zipper pull replacement

I had the zipper pull come off of the pocket zipper on an Aero 30's halfbelt. Aero wouldn't send me a replacement pull. They told me to ship the jacket back to Scotland and they would replace the whole zipper for $60.00 plus shipping from the States. That's about $100 altogether and there is nothing wrong with the zipper itself.

Seems a little steep for a small chain and ball. Anyone have an alternative suggestion?
Thanks
 
J

john z

Guest
gfirob said:
I had the zipper pull come off of the pocket zipper on an Aero 30's halfbelt. Aero wouldn't send me a replacement pull. They told me to ship the jacket back to Scotland and they would replace the whole zipper for $60.00 plus shipping from the States. That's about $100 altogether and there is nothing wrong with the zipper itself.

Seems a little steep for a small chain and ball. Anyone have an alternative suggestion?
Thanks
If it's a ball chain puller I'm sure the components are available here:
http://www.ballchain.com/
 

gfirob

Familiar Face
Messages
80
Location
Baltimore, Md, USA
Chain pull

Actually, its not a ball chain, its something fabricated for the zipper. I noticed the sleeve zippers I had put on another Aero jacket have nice leather tabs on them. Maybe I'll try that. But I'd rather get an original part. Anybody know who makes the pocket zippers on Aero jackets?
Thanks
 

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,299
Location
New York
c5f0c4df3f4d18ae27f3bcfec0cca681.jpg
check out this guy. From Waldes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,299
Location
New York
Now I've received this beautiful pull, I couldn't find an appropriate jacket/zipper to put it on..... Well, there are technical challenges. One, the aperture of the mouth of the C clamp only opens so wide that it won't bite onto just any slider. You need number 5, or any slide that has a narrow ridge/spine, two, you do have to destroy the original pull. The brass single ball-chain pull that Aero uses, for example, has a size 8 slide, I think, and the brass chain is linked to the spine via a fully enclosed ring, so you'll have to cringe and cut that ring for good. Even so, you won't be able to clamp the C onto the slider...So. I guess I'll have to apply the Waldes ball chain to some new 5 slider from scratch.
 

Boyo

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,243
Location
Long Island NY
Reg, can’t you re-use the #8ring from the aero chain on the Waldes . It might be a bit thicker but maybe not noticeable.
Carefully cut it , pull open just enough to remove and replace and crimp it down again..

I’m curious because I’m thinking of changing the pull on my 30’s half belt to the Waldes
 

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,299
Location
New York
Boyo the #8 ring on these single ball chain zippers doesn’t seem to have an opening. The 8 shaped anchor ring is fused at all ends.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

JacketAddict

One of the Regulars
Messages
188
Here's a bunch I have laying around - the ball and chain (not my wife) are somewhat fragile but may serve your purpose - if you want to try a couple let me know and I'll send them to you. Also - others shown - unicorns, salmon, cross, wrench, OM, square w/chain, circle with chain. On my jackets I usually use a strip of leather - longish so that I can zip up or down while riding without getting into a head-on collision.
IMG_20191220_144828.jpg
IMG_20191220_144828.jpg
IMG_20191220_144820.jpg
IMG_20191220_144235.jpg
 

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Dumpster Diver

Practically Family
Messages
952
Location
Ontario
I'd say you have to get creative to make it fit, a paper clip or some wire to attach the pull to the slider might do it if you're handy with the needle nose pliers. I don't know. I'd have to see photos to say how the operation should be performed.
 

Dumpster Diver

Practically Family
Messages
952
Location
Ontario
I've done all sorts of things, sometimes the Actual Pull breaks right off, and that...I'm not sure how to fix other than replace the whole Zip.
 

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