tmitchell59
I'll Lock Up
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Nice! There are a host of the Enthusiastic Harley mags on ebay! I must stay away.
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There are several mistakes in the Tanaka books, he didn't always get the era right.I have never read any of the pages in this :Tanaka’s book. Elvis famous photo was with cycle champ but from a different production year. I wonder if is just a translation mistake?
Mushman's reproReviving another older thread.
At first I thought the Cycle Champ was the the jacket with the two patch pockets. I was wrong. It is the one with the D pocket. At least this is what I am gonna go with for now.
Also from the photos I gathered. I think the the jacket Elvis wore in the famous photo is actually a version of the earlier/later? Cycle Champ. He was diamond level black card holder VIP Harley customer so it wouldn't surprise me he has the limited edition of the Cycle Champ jacket. However, I also found this guy wearing the same jacket, photo credit http://www.scottymoore.net/Enthusiast.html. Could be the one Elvis wore and he just shared. Don't know.
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Also I had always thought these jackets were short, 23" riders length. But I just looked at the catalogue photo I posted, and they are 24" for regular length and 25.5" for Long sizes I assume. Now I am not sure if these measurements included the collar or the front drop or not. But from the photo they do look like the slim long type of cut vs the short super tapered cut.
Also, about the Cycle "King", anyone has a photo of ad that actually called this two patch pocket jacket the Cycle King name? The one I found has no model name. Did this jacket came after the Cycle Champ? Were there various versions of the Cycle Champs like the Hercules jackets? And the twin patch pocket was simply one of the earlier/later version? It also doesn't seem to offer in various length sizes from this ad.
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If I am judging by the retail prices then the "King" version came before the "Champ" one because it cost a few dollars less? Or did they have a lower priced versions later on for more affordability?
Anyways, I have the Aero Elvis jacket now and I do plan to find a Toys Mccoy one which I believe is closer cut to the one Elvis wore in the famous photo. But the Aero Elvis looks like its closer to the "King" cut which looks shorter and tapered. Anyways, this is all I've got now.
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That's a good looking repro. Unfortunately all out. I am adding mushmans to my auction key word search from now...Mushman's repro
http://shop.mushmans.com/?pid=158714718
Canuck, Buddy, for being the first one to join, you will get from me ALL NOS zippers from me, You choose which main zipper. I am working to get the info on the maker of the 7/8" spots. My only contact for the sports is holding on me, I think. Or he has not paid attention to my e-mail. I will contact him again. I have magnified and made a lighter duplicated of the famous Elvis picture D pocket jacket. Furthermore, I compared to mine and a dead even match to my original.I am down for a proper Cycle Champ jacket. I tried to find a repro in Japan but no luck.
How is the Vanson one from the Harley store? If the pattern is close to the original I think we have a better shot at going through their custom order program. It's hard to tell from the photos and the Harley site doesn't give much info either. I have talked to Nick from Vanson before about sending horsehides to them. He didn't say no but didn't say yes. I didn't have anything specific in mind back then either.Canuck, Buddy, for being the first one to join me, You will get from me ALL NOS zippers from me, You choose which main zipper. I am working in a high quantity original maker spots. My only contact for the sports is holding on me, I think. Or he has not paid attention to my e-mail. I will contact him again. I have magnified and made a duplicated of the famous Elvis picture D pocket. I compared to mine and a dead even match to my original.
I am going original in all parts except the main zip. I'm going bulletproof square box talon or Just as good connar zipper just like James Dean Cal jacket. If I make a goat, I will go 1950s #5 talon with the bell shaped puller.
How is the Vanson one from the Harley store? If the pattern is close to the original I think we have a better shot at going through their custom order program. It's hard to tell from the photos and the Harley site doesn't give much info either. I have talked to Nick from Vanson before about sending horsehides to them. He didn't say no but didn't say yes. I didn't have anything specific in mind back then either.
I am sure JL can do this too but they would have to start from scratch, where as Vanson already have the patterns developed for HD. Plus their custom jackets line is getting longer now the busy jacket season has started. This would be same for every maker though. I've found that Spring/early summer is the best time to get any makers to do custom stuff. It's a busy time now and all the makers would focus on filling orders now.
Japan makers did some repros before and then no more...
I am looking for these jackets on the Japan auction now.
How is the Vanson one from the Harley store? If the pattern is close to the original I think we have a better shot at going through their custom order program. It's hard to tell from the photos and the Harley site doesn't give much info either. I have talked to Nick from Vanson before about sending horsehides to them. He didn't say no but didn't say yes. I didn't have anything specific in mind back then either.
I am sure JL can do this too but they would have to start from scratch, where as Vanson already have the patterns developed for HD. Plus their custom jackets line is getting longer now the busy jacket season has started. This would be same for every maker though. I've found that Spring/early summer is the best time to get any makers to do custom stuff. It's a busy time now and all the makers would focus on filling orders now.
Japan makers did some repros before and then no more...
I am looking for these jackets on the Japan auction now.
"How is the Vanson one from the Harley store?"
I have the cycle king last production but I have seen the actual late 40's cycle king. The Vanson is a dead ringer to the original first production. The major flaw and dealbreaker to me is the terrible hide used. I would have paid extra 300-400 dollars more for a top of the line hides. One thing I would improve on the Vansom is the belt. I have seen other Vansons belts and they did a dead ringer HD belt for that jacket. I wonder why they did not include it in the jacket. Perhaps the belt would have taken it pass the 1k price target?
"I am sure JL can do this too, but they would have to start from scratch, where as Vanson already have the patterns developed for HD. "
I agree with you. I am happy to join you and other, perhaps, in a fedora group buy?
I purchased the jacket around August 2022. I figure it was made several months prior? HD's current image of the product they sell does not represent the jacket I got. The hide in your jacket is very different from the hide in the current production. I did photograph some images of the jacket, but no real close-ups. I was a little upset, and I placed the jacket back in the plastic bag and stored in my closet. The hide is nothing like the hide in your jacket or the jacket reviewed by AeroFan.
Hermano- pls pull the jacket out of time out and take some pics. Now i am very curious.