Green Leather Jackets

[Edward]

Imports were quite popular here in Vancouver in the 80s/90s, that was how I was introduced to it, both two and four wheels. Affordable and can go fast by 80s/90s standards.
The Lewis dark green sheepskin is a really nice hide but I am not sure if it is the best choice for MC jackets. Plus their current marketing/pricing strategy isn't my cup of tea. I am just glad I got a jacket from them before all the major increase pricing transformation. The it's expensive therefore it must be the best marketing strategy has spread fast... unfortunately.

Agreed on all counts! I've been promising myself a Lightning made to 1958 spec (i.e. no outer logo, no forearm pocket - the latter more important to me than the former) for some time, but now they're up over a grand sterling it's unlikely I'll be able to justify it going forward. More chance of compromising on the spec and buying a used one if it cam up at the right time and in my size.

I'd love to know how many Lewis jackets actually get bought to be worn as riding jackets. They did do a run of 70s style padded cafe racers and Supermonzas with Urban Rider in the UK a few years ago, in the horse with pockets for d30 armour. You do still see them among the revivalist crowd around the Ace Cafe and the likes, though I suspect that'll be more limited as prices rise and other brands with back-in-the-day associations appear. GoldTop have been very clever imo at catching on to the retro style for modern use market. I suspect if Lewis really saw that as where they wanted to go, though, they'd have done it long ago.

 

[Marc mndt]

GoldTop have been very clever imo at catching on to the retro style for modern use market. I suspect if Lewis really saw that as where they wanted to go, though, they'd have done it long ago.

Makes my wonder why LL jacket have to be almost 3x the price of Goldtop. Are Goldtop jackets produced in Pakistan?

 

[Edward]

Makes my wonder why LL jacket have to be almost 3x the price of Goldtop. Are Goldtop jackets produced in Pakistan?

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I don't know exactly where they manufacture, to be honest. As memory serves they did in the past state it wasn't China. For the UK market, Pakistan is probably the most likely alterative, as that's been a source of leathers both fashion and motorcycle here really since the UK industry started to collapse in the 80s, just behind the collapse of the UK motorcycle industry itself.

Wherever the make them, though, the quality is certainly impressive, and I've yet to see anything that can match them as a dedicated motorcycle PPE outfit which doesn't significantly compromise their style. The only pity is that they haven't (yet) rolled out the full range of leather colours across all their range. Something like the 58 would look great in the midnight blue, but it's only the 70s style jackets they seem to be doing in the colours other than tan and black. To be fair, that also reflects the fact that these later styles were when the British brands in the 70s did start introducing a much wider range of colours as options, so there's that. I did once see a Lewis Lightning in blaze orange, with fringing. It was..... not an option I'd have chosen for myself. Of note, though, Goldtop will do a level of customisation at an upcharge, and they did tell me before that that could include getting a jacket made up in one of their other leather colours than they make available stock.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Agreed on all counts! I've been promising myself a Lightning made to 1958 spec (i.e. no outer logo, no forearm pocket - the latter more important to me than the former) for some time, but now they're up over a grand sterling it's unlikely I'll be able to justify it going forward. More chance of compromising on the spec and buying a used one if it cam up at the right time and in my size.

I'd love to know how many Lewis jackets actually get bought to be worn as riding jackets. They did do a run of 70s style padded cafe racers and Supermonzas with Urban Rider in the UK a few years ago, in the horse with pockets for d30 armour. You do still see them among the revivalist crowd around the Ace Cafe and the likes, though I suspect that'll be more limited as prices rise and other brands with back-in-the-day associations appear. GoldTop have been very clever imo at catching on to the retro style for modern use market. I suspect if Lewis really saw that as where they wanted to go, though, they'd have done it long ago.

With a strap on back brace most jackets can be sufficient enough I think. Plus in the city it's really hard to get up to damaging speed or situations. Most car/bike accidents here are from turning at the intersection. The car always tries to beat the yellow light and never sees the two wheel and bam. The traffic has gotten quite bad here summer road constructions is just around the corner too.
I mean I can understand why Lewis adopted the new pricing strategy, but when trying to get one $2000 customer they might have lost a few $1200 customer. Time will tell I guess.

 

[Edward]

With a strap on back brace most jackets can be sufficient enough I think. Plus in the city it's really hard to get up to damaging speed or situations. Most car/bike accidents here are from turning at the intersection. The car always tries to beat the yellow light and never sees the two wheel and bam. The traffic has gotten quite bad here summer road constructions is just around the corner too.
I mean I can understand why Lewis adopted the new pricing strategy, but when trying to get one $2000 customer they might have lost a few $1200 customer. Time will tell I guess.

There are certainly other options for PPE, yes - the Bowtex armoured Kevlar underwear is the cleverest one I've seen - then pretty much anything can be worn on a bike and the rider still be safe from a spill. The bonus of having it built in to the jacket, though, is if you're in and out of it rather than in the saddle all day. I think too something that can be just thrown on without thinking is more likely to be used than left on the floor at home because "just popping out a few minutes to....". No doubt, though, the biggest threat to riders today is drivers who don't understand motorcycles.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens with Lewis. Looks like they've made a similar jump as Eastman did, in terms of pricing structure and target market.

 

[red devil]

A bit late to this thread, but here is a blue and green combination

And a full green one

This one is very unique. never saw it in the flesh though

 

[JMax]

A bit late to this thread, but here is a blue and green combination

And a full green one

This one is very unique. never saw it in the flesh though

Hey, that’s my Trojan!! I demand you send it back to me. Immediately!!!!

 

[Pkshfo74036]

Can you share your experience on how does it age especially this green one . Can you share a current pic by wearing it . I have been eyeing on this one

I have since sold this jacket. Over the 3 years that I owned it the lighter olive green slowly blended to darker olive shades bordering on brown/green in some areas in specific lighting.

I think the leather aged really beautifully, the shades of color, the creasing the grain.

When it was new:

After:

 

[LordOfLeather]

Makes my wonder why LL jacket have to be almost 3x the price of Goldtop. Are Goldtop jackets produced in Pakistan?

View attachment 610900 View attachment 610901 View attachment 610902

I bought the '76 in racing green last fall after drooling over it for a year or two. Unfortunately, I wound up returning it.

I loved the color in person just as much as the photos. They claim the leather is veg-tanned, but it seemed way too soft for this to be true. I'm not about to accuse them of lying, but it felt very much like a chrome-tanned leather, from my experience. Hard to describe, but you know it when you feel it.

Regardless, it was nice leather. The hardware felt a bit flimsy though, especially the buckles for the side adjustments. Additionally, the quilted lining seemed especially cheap and already had snagged threads aplenty.

At this price point, I would have looked past all of these things, if it weren't for the fit...
It's a short, wide fit. Too loose in the chest and arms for my liking. If I were to go a size down for a slimmer cut, the sleeves and body would have been too short. The armholes are cut quite low, meaning the jacket rises up more than I'd like when lifting my arms. Again, I could have looked past these fit issues if it weren't for these last two:
1. One shoulder was wider than the other. It bothered me each time I looked in the mirror, so I finally measured, confirming they were not symmetrical in width.
2. The cuffs were MASSIVELY WIDE. According to the size chart, the cuffs were supposed to be 9.25", but they measured 11.5". That is a huge difference, and one that ultimately made me decide I couldn't tolerate the jacket. Loose cuffs are something I can tolerate for a casual jacket, within reason, but not for a riding jacket. I can get away with slightly short sleeves if they zip tight around my wrists, because this holds them in place when I reach out for the handlebars. But when they are too loose, the sleeves ride up, exposing inches of skin on my wrists/forearms. That's not even mentioning the issue of wind up the sleeves, ballooning out the already too loose torso.

I really, really wanted this jacket to be as amazing as it looks and sounds, but it just didn't work for me. No doubt some people are the perfect size for this fit, but I can't imagine someone's wrists being this large. I'm curious to hear from someone else who has owned or tried on this style.

 

[newtojackets]

I don't know exactly where they manufacture, to be honest. As memory serves they did in the past state it wasn't China. For the UK market, Pakistan is probably the most likely alterative, as that's been a source of leathers both fashion and motorcycle here really since the UK industry started to collapse in the 80s, just behind the collapse of the UK motorcycle industry itself.

Wherever the make them, though, the quality is certainly impressive, and I've yet to see anything that can match them as a dedicated motorcycle PPE outfit which doesn't significantly compromise their style. The only pity is that they haven't (yet) rolled out the full range of leather colours across all their range. Something like the 58 would look great in the midnight blue, but it's only the 70s style jackets they seem to be doing in the colours other than tan and black. To be fair, that also reflects the fact that these later styles were when the British brands in the 70s did start introducing a much wider range of colours as options, so there's that. I did once see a Lewis Lightning in blaze orange, with fringing. It was..... not an option I'd have chosen for myself. Of note, though, Goldtop will do a level of customisation at an upcharge, and they did tell me before that that could include getting a jacket made up in one of their other leather colours than they make available stock.

How is their leather quality?

 

[cbez]

Veg tan can be soft.

 

[LordOfLeather]

Veg tan can be soft.

I am sure it can. I won’t pretend to be an expert, just that from the jackets I have owned it reminded me more of chrome-tanned leather. Perhaps they have achieved something great!

 

[Edward]

How is their leather quality?

The ones I've seen were very decent - I'd have put them on par wit my Schott 618.

 

[barnabus]

The ones I've seen were very decent - I'd have put them on par wit my Schott 618.

I'd concur with this. I've visited the store twice in person and tested the patience of the staff (and once the owner) by exhaustively trying on pretty much everything. I thought the leather and the construction of the jackets was excellent.

Also AAA rated as PPE, so pretty comprehensively independently tested too.

 

[Edward]

I'd concur with this. I've visited the store twice in person and tested the patience of the staff (and once the owner) by exhaustively trying on pretty much everything. I thought the leather and the construction of the jackets was excellent.

Also AAA rated as PPE, so pretty comprehensively independently tested too.

How did you find the sizing? They seem to me to come up a bit small (much like the 618s), I 'm eying a 617 as a replacement for my Schott (which I've come to a view is just a smidge too tight for my preferences); I vary between a 44 and a 48 in most things, but it looks like I'd need a 50 in one of those, which is a whole new step. They do seem to be sized to fit a sweater under (amusingly, I have a Johnson I can wear like that, and it's labelled a 42!) , though, which is no bad thing come Autumn.

 

[LordOfLeather]

I'd concur with this. I've visited the store twice in person and tested the patience of the staff (and once the owner) by exhaustively trying on pretty much everything. I thought the leather and the construction of the jackets was excellent.

Also AAA rated as PPE, so pretty comprehensively independently tested too.

That’s a good comparison and I agree with it. Great leather, just with characteristics I usually associate with chrome tanned. That’s not a bad thing, only an observation.
Perhaps I just had a lemon. The construction was very good aside from the lining. I wish I lived near a store so I could try more than one example.

 

[barnabus]

How did you find the sizing? They seem to me to come up a bit small

Interesting you mention that, as I found them small too.

I would expect to fit comfortably in a 40, but when I tried their 1958 model I needed a 42. And it was perfect - the best-fitting jacket I've ever put on.

 

[Edward]

Interesting you mention that, as I found them small too.

I would expect to fit comfortably in a 40, but when I tried their 1958 model I needed a 42. And it was perfect - the best-fitting jacket I've ever put on.

I wonder if they're using the original 60s / 70s patterns, which would have been smaller then?

I'm not clear on the relationship between the current owners and the original brand . Goldtop was out of production on the consumer market for a long time before these guys, but I don't know if the company was around in a different form. AFAIK they were supplying police forces with leathers, including boots, into the 80s, so maybe they were around outside the consumer market for a period... ? Any case, the current owners have very faithfully reproduced the original line (with PPE adaptations), it's way deeper than just reusing the name/brand. Akin to what Derek did with Lewis in the 90s.


The 58 looks great; I' m also tempted by the 59. I like how they have that very distinctive look of the Brits' bike jackets from the late 50s to the late 70s, distinctly different from the American designs (which I also love), but also distinctly different from the Lewises as well. Lewis are great and everything, but they have a bit of a disproportionate representation in the revivalist thing compared to back in the day, likely in large part due to having been about the only option available in this vein in the early days of the rocker revivalist scene in the middle 90s.

How did you find the fit of the 617, seems to me to sit a little longer than the likes of a Perfecto, more akin to the length of a Lewis Lightning?

 

[barnabus]

I'm not clear on the relationship between the current owners and the original brand . Goldtop was out of production on the consumer market for a long time before these guys, but I don't know if the company was around in a different form.

Don't know. I did have a long chat with the current owner last time I was in the shop. He was holding forth on the process of putting things through CE assessment to get the AAA. But I didn't discover how the new version of the company came about.

He showed me his own personal jacket, which was a ScufTuf with some custom size alterations. Easy enough to get done if you own the company, I suppose!

 

[barnabus]

How did you find the fit of the 617

The first time I went to the shop I took a photo wearing the 617. Let me root about and see if I can find it...

Edit: ah, my mistake. It was their cross zip Lancer jacket. Apologies, terrible photo. But it shows the decent cropped length.