Help ID this cafe racer: Lewis Leathers, Brimaco or ... ?

[Gamma68]

I received this undeniably cool CR from @Monitor today. The brand is a bit of a mystery to us since the label is no longer present. Both Lewis Leathers and Brimaco were known to make colorful CRs beginning in the late 1960s/early 1970s.

I'd like to ask for your collective wisdom and help in getting an identification and approximate age. There are some clues along with the photos below.


There are three collar snaps and two collar buttons. The sleeve zips are on the underside of the sleeves.


The outline of the missing tag measures 2.5" x 4"


All zips are Clix branded.


The collar snaps fasteners are branded "Newey England" which may indicate a Lewis Leathers jacket.


While the interior is lined in blue nylon (including one interior zip pocket), the interior of the two chest pockets are lined in a green mesh synthetic material.


There are no remaining tags except this size tag inside the collar. Was either Lewis or Brimaco known to use this type of tag?

Any thoughts, guys? Monitor might be able to add more info

 

[Gamma68]

Here is another unbranded red jacket that uses Newey snap fasteners and Clix zips:

https://www.etsy.com/dk-en/listing/...ery&ga_search_query=newey&ref=sr_gallery-1-32

 

[robrinay]

Send your pics to Lewis Leathers and they’ll tell you if it’s one of theirs - and send you a pic of the item in the catalogue if they have it. They won’t however supply a new label if it is one of theirs.

 

[Monitor]

I asked them a long time ago and they said it might've been theirs from the days they were trying out different styles and doing full custom work, as in creating jackets exactly per their customer specs from the scratch. Pocket zipper stitching is exactly like they used to do in the past.

I've went as far as to compare the outline of a missing tag to different brands but neither fits.

 

[Gamma68]

I forgot to mention above that the main zip pull on my jacket is on the left side. I don't know if this is a British jacket characteristic or not.

Another British brand that comes to mind is Kett:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/222996142617?clk_rvr_id=1553625371905&rmvSB=true

 

[Gamma68]

I believe I've positively identified my jacket as made by TT Leathers, Barnard Castle, England. 1970s.

Some examples of TT jackets pictured on the web have characteristics that match mine. TT Leathers was also known for its colorful jackets.

Here's one currently on eBay. Same collar profile, CLIX zips, three collar snaps made by Newey, same lining and interior pocket, similar size tag, and an adhesive label that is starting to peel away.

Here is another on eBay, albeit more colorful. Although it has YKK zips, there are other similarities. Same collar profile, three collar snaps made by Newey, same lining and interior pocket, same size tag, and a missing adhesive label.

These are just two examples but there are others.

Anyone know much about TT Leathers? I can't seem to find much about the company, except it's been said they pioneered colored trials apparel to compete with Belstaff and Barbour. Don't know when TT folded but a current company called Scott Leathers in Barnard Castle may have taken over its operations.

 

[Downunder G Man]

Back in the mid 80's I was flirting with closed course production motorcycle racing.

Kawasaki 750 triple 2 stroke was the personal weapon of choice at the time.

TT leathers at that time made me a bespoke all black 2 piece racing suit , all black.

"made to measure", ankle circumference , knee to ankle/ hip to knee length etc etc

The "trousers" were made with pre-bent legs to suit the racing crouch

I still have the "trousers" today , hanging with my leather jacket collection.

Trouble is they are for some "skinny barsteward" haha...

I ordered from them at the Isle of man TT races , although I think they were made on the mainland UK

My wife told me over 15 years ago to sell them ( or whatever !) and I replied "No , I will fit into them again one day"

Hmmm...they were/are 28 inch waist and I have been 36 waist for as long as I can remember !

Good luck with that , and sorry for the thread hijack !

 

[Monitor]

I had a TT Leathers jacket. They were every bit as good as LL back in the 70's. Professional racetrack motorcycle gear maker. UK made, relatively rare today as people don't know much about them and they were smaller than the LL. I don't recall ever seeing one like the red one you have but that's a damn, good catch, Gamma. It could very well be a full custom TT. Their standard, OTR models were a couple of cross zips and padded CR's, much like Lewis Leathers Phantom.

 

[barnabus]

There's a cracker on eBay at the moment:

link


e: wow, or this one!

link

 

[Monitor]

There's a cracker on eBay at the moment:

link


e: wow, or this one!

link

That cross zip is awesome!

 

[Monitor]

Another perfect example of the insanely superb custom work by TT. I'd buy this if it was a tad larger...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-...cle-Jacket-Medium-38-TT-Leathers/183157863161

 

[Gamma68]

I don't recall ever seeing one like the red one you have but that's a damn, good catch, Gamma. It could very well be a full custom TT. Their standard, OTR models were a couple of cross zips and padded CR's, much like Lewis Leathers Phantom.

Here is a TT Leathers full racing suit in red, with the adhesive label and same collar profile with 3 snaps.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-...664299?hash=item5d7e0bd96b:g:h4gAAOSwURxanA8X

 

[Downunder G Man]

Them's my "trousers" ! Slightly different pockets I specified at the time ,more horizontal

And mine are black of course...

 

[ProteinNerd]

Nice detective work there @Gamma68

 

[Edward]

Anyone know much about TT Leathers? I can't seem to find much about the company, except it's been said they pioneered colored trials apparel to compete with Belstaff and Barbour. Don't know when TT folded but a current company called Scott Leathers in Barnard Castle may have taken over its operations.

Yes, they were one of many British motorcycle leather companies that existed back in the day, though interestingly they were only incorporated in 1971, as the British motorcycle industry itself began to decline at the hands of more reliable, cheaper Japanese bikes, and two years after the Ace cafe shut its doors the first time. Many of these names were every bit as good as Lewis, even if they lack the name brand recognition nowadays, and cam often be picked up pretty cheaply on the used market. Years ago I bought a second hand TT Leathers jacket for a now long ex-girlfriend, back before Camden market had the soul ripped out of it, and paid only twenty quid. Very decent jacket as I recall, especially after some work with a combined leather food and dye product designed for vintage car seats.

Company info here for TT - https://www.duedil.com/company/gb/01024764/t-t-leathers-international-limited - apparently they were 'dissolved', though Scott did indeed buy them over.

http://www.ringbell.co.uk/museum/ttl01.htm

Scott Leathers managed to carry on until the 2008 crash - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance...ott-Leathers-reaches-the-end-of-the-road.html - but they must have managed to survive, as they're still around: http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/default.asp

Sadly they've dropped all the real classic designs in favour of a more modern approach, though they are very much aiming to be a contemporary supplier of motorcycle gear rather than aiming for the retro market like Lewis.

I had a TT Leathers jacket. They were every bit as good as LL back in the 70's. Professional racetrack motorcycle gear maker. UK made, relatively rare today as people don't know much about them and they were smaller than the LL. I don't recall ever seeing one like the red one you have but that's a damn, good catch, Gamma. It could very well be a full custom TT. Their standard, OTR models were a couple of cross zips and padded CR's, much like Lewis Leathers Phantom.

Through the seventies and into the eighties, by far the most popular bike jackets for actually riding in the UK fell into three styles - the padded cafe racer with centre zip, the Lewis Monza style (basically a lancer front with a mandarin collar, quilted shoulders and elbow pads), and a Brando version of the Monza - i.e. with a traditional Perfecto style collar. By the early eighties, I'd say the most typical jacket you'd actually see most bikers wearing in the UK would have been some variation of the Monza style.

All of those old Brit jackets were nice, lots of great Bargains still to be found even among sixties stuff, once you go beyond the big name Lewis & Highwayman type stuff.

 

[Gamma68]

Thanks, @Edward. I should add that I contacted Scott Leathers, who confirmed that my jacket was made by TT Leathers in the early 1970s.

 

[barnabus]

Yes, they were one of many British motorcycle leather companies that existed back in the day, though interestingly they were only incorporated in 1971, as the British motorcycle industry itself began to decline at the hands of more reliable, cheaper Japanese bikes, and two years after the Ace cafe shut its doors the first time. Many of these names were every bit as good as Lewis, even if they lack the name brand recognition nowadays, and cam often be picked up pretty cheaply on the used market. Years ago I bought a second hand TT Leathers jacket for a now long ex-girlfriend, back before Camden market had the soul ripped out of it, and paid only twenty quid. Very decent jacket as I recall, especially after some work with a combined leather food and dye product designed for vintage car seats.

Company info here for TT - https://www.duedil.com/company/gb/01024764/t-t-leathers-international-limited - apparently they were 'dissolved', though Scott did indeed buy them over.

http://www.ringbell.co.uk/museum/ttl01.htm

Scott Leathers managed to carry on until the 2008 crash - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance...ott-Leathers-reaches-the-end-of-the-road.html - but they must have managed to survive, as they're still around: http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/default.asp

Sadly they've dropped all the real classic designs in favour of a more modern approach, though they are very much aiming to be a contemporary supplier of motorcycle gear rather than aiming for the retro market like Lewis.



Through the seventies and into the eighties, by far the most popular bike jackets for actually riding in the UK fell into three styles - the padded cafe racer with centre zip, the Lewis Monza style (basically a lancer front with a mandarin collar, quilted shoulders and elbow pads), and a Brando version of the Monza - i.e. with a traditional Perfecto style collar. By the early eighties, I'd say the most typical jacket you'd actually see most bikers wearing in the UK would have been some variation of the Monza style.

All of those old Brit jackets were nice, lots of great Bargains still to be found even among sixties stuff, once you go beyond the big name Lewis & Highwayman type stuff.

I have bought an old TT Leathers jacket. From the seller's horribly unflattering pictures, it looks to be an example of the "restyled quality jacket" shown in your Ringbell Museum link.

It appears quite well-worn, but again the pictures aren't especially revealing - although that probably also accounts for me being the only bidder and snaffling it for a very good price (I think!)

I will of course post some details and some of my own pictures when it arrives, but in the meantime @Edward, do you know of any further information on TT designs, or dates? The Ringbell link seems to suggest '70s, and only a very limited number of designs.

e: @Gamma68, does that mean Scott Leathers were able to help you with an id from your photos? I might get in touch with them if so, once I've got hands on.

e2: thanks both!

 

[Gamma68]

e: @Gamma68, does that mean Scott Leathers were able to help you with an id from your photos? I might get in touch with them if so, once I've got hands on.

Yes, I emailed photos to Scott Leathers.

 

[Edward]

I will of course post some details and some of my own pictures when it arrives, but in the meantime @Edward, do you know of any further information on TT designs, or dates? The Ringbell link seems to suggest '70s, and only a very limited number of designs.

AFAIK that's accurate - fairly typicaldesigns of the British jackets of the period.

 

[barnabus]

It's finally arrived today!

Should have been yesterday, but the delivery driver took it away again as I was out and it required a signature. What kind of Hermes driver is it that doesn't just lob it over the gate?

Anyway:

This one night get its own thread as I'm very pleased.