History of the Buco brand?

[newtojackets]

Does anyone know anything about the Buco brand? Obviously they made very iconic jacket, and are currently being made as repros, but does anyone have any history of the brand?

When were they founded? What happened to them? How popular were they / were they mainstream similar to Schott? Anything of the sorts really

 

[Aloysius]

Search the forum and/or get Rin Tanaka's book Motorcycle Jackets: A Century of Leather Design.

 

[newtojackets]

Search the forum and/or get Rin Tanaka's book Motorcycle Jackets: A Century of Leather Design.

I've searched the forum, but really not much info here. I've seen Rin Tanaka has numerous books, is this the one I should get out of them?

 

[Aloysius]

No, you should get a different one from the one I recommended in response to your query.

 

[JMax]

You may have better luck using Google to search TFL. Type whatever it is you are interested in and end with Fedora Lounge. Should get more hits than a search here.

Aloysius is right- that book is very helpful.

 

[Observe]

You may have better luck using Google to search TFL. Type whatever it is you are interested in and end with Fedora Lounge. Should get more hits than a search here.

I never use TFL search function for this forum as Google seems to get me many more relevant results.

 

[newtojackets]

You may have better luck using Google to search TFL. Type whatever it is you are interested in and end with Fedora Lounge. Should get more hits than a search here.

Aloysius is right- that book is very helpful.

I always use google search too but no luck. I guess the book is my best bet

 

[ObiJuanValdez]

I was wondering how/why Aero is able to use the Buco label. I assumed that they had somehow purchased the rights to the name (or it had passed into the public domain), but I've never found an answer so far (by way of Google). Does anyone here know?

 

[Monitor]

I learned literally everything about Buco Co. here on TFL & I distinctly recall someone, possibly Terry, even correcting some of the info that Tanaka got wrong... But yeah, Google search has indeed became such trash when it comes anything older, that it is practically useless. Still, all the info is right here, down to the physical address of where the Buco store used to be.

As for the Buco jackets being iconic... They're not. I mean, now they are but only after Tanaka's book got released. None of these jackets was ever featured or seen anywhere at all before.

I was wondering how/why Aero is able to use the Buco label. I assumed that they had somehow purchased the rights to the name (or it had passed into the public domain), but I've never found an answer so far (by way of Google). Does anyone here know?

Also explained in legal-babble depth here on TFL. You seriously should give it a serious search. @Edward is an expert on the matter and has explained it several times. I'm not so I never grasped the whole story but there's a lot to it. Apparently, prior to Aero or RMC, someone else tried to trademark the name and even did so for a short while but then... Something happeend. I don't know, Edward might be able to explain.

 

[newtojackets]

I learned literally everything about Buco Co. here on TFL & I distinctly recall someone, possibly Terry, even correcting some of the info that Tanaka got wrong... But yeah, Google search has indeed became such trash when it comes anything older, that it is practically useless. Still, all the info is right here, down to the physical address of where the Buco store used to be.

As for the Buco jackets being iconic... They're not. I mean, now they are but only after Tanaka's book got released. None of these jackets was ever featured or seen anywhere at all before.



Also explained in legal-babble depth here on TFL. You seriously should give it a serious search. @Edward is an expert on the matter and has explained it several times. I'm not so I never grasped the whole story but there's a lot to it. Apparently, prior to Aero or RMC, someone else tried to trademark the name and even did so for a short while but then... Something happeend. I don't know, Edward might be able to explain.

So the repro Bucos only became popular because of Tanaka's books? Didn't realise the books were that significant (as when you google them you don't get a huge number of results)

 

[newtojackets]

I was wondering how/why Aero is able to use the Buco label. I assumed that they had somehow purchased the rights to the name (or it had passed into the public domain), but I've never found an answer so far (by way of Google). Does anyone here know?

According to Clutch Cafe 'The Real McCoy's have acquired the licence to produce the brand and do so with due diligence and expertise in Japan.'

Not sure if Aero uses the buco label, but if they do I'm guessing it's something similar

 

[photo2u]

Buco's were popular in the motorcycle industry due to their motorcycle products. Strictly riding gear, I was a fan of their racing pants. I purchased my first Buco jacket in 79. I settle for it after not finding a wearable HD Cycle king or Herc. Funny, currently, I do not have a wearable HD Cycle King or Herc. Buco, I have wearable ones. In true honesty, their products were ok. I believe their fame came out of the very catchy name.
I have not read the Tanaka book. I think it looks very cool and well-made. However, I have seen some of its pages posted online with erroneous information.

 

[58panheadfan]

Joseph Buegeleisen was born in New York on October 22, 1892, the son of Polish Russian immigrant Hyman D. Buegeleisen (b.1860) and Californian Susan Davis (b.1855). In the early 1900s, Hyman Buegeleisen prospered selling books at 489 5th Agenue.

Joseph grew up in comfort in a "well furnished" brownstone at 169 Decatur Street, Brooklyn, NY. Tragedy struck Joseph at in 1908 when Hyman's second wife, Fanny, committed suicide while the rest of the family was at Synagogue.

Joseph's brother, Elias Buegeleisen (b.1878), left the family bookselling business in the mid 1910s and founded the company Strauss & Buegeleisen, which produced "Resistal" Aviator Goggles. These goggles were an early application of safety glass, made with a celluloid layer in between two layers of glass to prevent shattering- similar to modern car windshields.

Joseph followed his brother, leaving behind selling books to become a "commercial traveler" for Resistal aviator goggles. Joseph moved to Detroit as a regional salesman for Resistal around 1930. His experience selling goggles to aviators, motorcyclists and motorists must have given Buegeleisen unique insight into the specialized needs of these groups.

Although later advertisements put the founding of the Joseph Buegeleisen company in 1933, city directories list Buegeleisen as a goggle salesman until 1935, and do not list the Joseph Buegeleisen company until 1937. It's likely that in these early years the company was still small, or that he kept his job with Resistal while setting up his own concern. But it would not stay that way for long.

In 1937, directories list the company as having locations at 642 Beaubien and 2615 Oakman, Detroit, Michigan. By 1939, the company had relocated to the second floor of 1036 Beaubien. By 1941, it had again relocated, to 316 E. Jefferson Ave,. Around 1948, they moved to 1302 E. Woodbridge Ave. The final move and expansion occurred c. 1952, to a new, large facility at 21220 W. Eight Mile Road, Detroit, where it remained. The simplification of "Buegeleisen Company", "Buco" was first used in 1940.

Known for their leather jackets, Buco was also the countries largest manufacturers and distributor of motorcycle accessories. In 1966, at the peak of their production (sales having quadrupled since 1962), Joseph Buegeleisen sold the company to the American Safety Equipment Corporation of New York, but stayed on, at least for a while, as a consultant. Production of jackets under American Safety's ownership of the company was outsourced to Japan, Spain and England. Former employees went on to start Brooks leather jackets, also based in Detroit.

Source

 

[newtojackets]

Joseph Buegeleisen was born in New York on October 22, 1892, the son of Polish Russian immigrant Hyman D. Buegeleisen (b.1860) and Californian Susan Davis (b.1855). In the early 1900s, Hyman Buegeleisen prospered selling books at 489 5th Agenue.

Joseph grew up in comfort in a "well furnished" brownstone at 169 Decatur Street, Brooklyn, NY. Tragedy struck Joseph at in 1908 when Hyman's second wife, Fanny, committed suicide while the rest of the family was at Synagogue.

Joseph's brother, Elias Buegeleisen (b.1878), left the family bookselling business in the mid 1910s and founded the company Strauss & Buegeleisen, which produced "Resistal" Aviator Goggles. These goggles were an early application of safety glass, made with a celluloid layer in between two layers of glass to prevent shattering- similar to modern car windshields.

Joseph followed his brother, leaving behind selling books to become a "commercial traveler" for Resistal aviator goggles. Joseph moved to Detroit as a regional salesman for Resistal around 1930. His experience selling goggles to aviators, motorcyclists and motorists must have given Buegeleisen unique insight into the specialized needs of these groups.

Although later advertisements put the founding of the Joseph Buegeleisen company in 1933, city directories list Buegeleisen as a goggle salesman until 1935, and do not list the Joseph Buegeleisen company until 1937. It's likely that in these early years the company was still small, or that he kept his job with Resistal while setting up his own concern. But it would not stay that way for long.

In 1937, directories list the company as having locations at 642 Beaubien and 2615 Oakman, Detroit, Michigan. By 1939, the company had relocated to the second floor of 1036 Beaubien. By 1941, it had again relocated, to 316 E. Jefferson Ave,. Around 1948, they moved to 1302 E. Woodbridge Ave. The final move and expansion occurred c. 1952, to a new, large facility at 21220 W. Eight Mile Road, Detroit, where it remained. The simplification of "Buegeleisen Company", "Buco" was first used in 1940.

Known for their leather jackets, Buco was also the countries largest manufacturers and distributor of motorcycle accessories. In 1966, at the peak of their production (sales having quadrupled since 1962), Joseph Buegeleisen sold the company to the American Safety Equipment Corporation of New York, but stayed on, at least for a while, as a consultant. Production of jackets under American Safety's ownership of the company was outsourced to Japan, Spain and England. Former employees went on to start Brooks leather jackets, also based in Detroit.

Source

Really interesting, thank you!

 

[ton312]

The short version, Detroit based M/C parts and apparel catalog selling all things m/c, including jackets, boots, saddlebags and fairings, helmets and gloves.
The jackets became the most lasting piece of the brand which produced splinter makers like Brooks and Reed.

 

[Monitor]

So the repro Bucos only became popular because of Tanaka's books? Didn't realise the books were that significant (as when you google them you don't get a huge number of results)

Pretty much, yep.

It's all down to who wears the jacket and, well, nobody wore Buco. Pop culture made lancer-front, diagonal zipper, biker jackets famous; Movies, music, etc. and Buco woulda been just another Perfecto, had it not been for Tanaka's book.

Timing was crucial, too. Just as yet another generation re-discovered the style, it didn't take long for everyone to realize that everyone and their dog is wearing this kinda jacket & that trying to express how unique one's personality is through a leather jacket won't exactly go as planed if every single metal-head, punk, rocker, biker, etc. is wearing the same thing, all the while being mostly oblivious about it.

And that's why Tanaka's book came at just the right moment. It introduced what has until that point been a nearly forgotten brand that made a classic motorcycle leather jacket with a somewhat interesting twist (by no means pioneered by Buco, of course but that is also irrelevant), which made it an instant hit with anyone who wanted to stand out.

RMC picked up on it quickly, made a luxury version that is responsible for them still being in business and the rest is, well, history.

 

[newtojackets]

Pretty much, yep.

It's all down to who wears the jacket and, well, nobody wore Buco. Pop culture made lancer-front, diagonal zipper, biker jackets famous; Movies, music, etc. and Buco woulda been just another Perfecto, had it not been for Tanaka's book.

Timing was crucial, too. Just as yet another generation re-discovered this style, it didn't take long for everyone to realize that everyone and their dog is wearing this kinda jacket so trying to express ones how unique one's personality is through a leather jacket won't exactly go as planed if every single metal-head, punk, rocker, biker, etc. is wearing the same thing, mostly being oblivious about it.

And that's why Tanaka's book came at just the right moment. It introduced what has until that point been a nearly forgotten brand that made a classic motorcycle leather jacket with a somewhat interesting twist (by no means pioneered by Buco, of course but that is also irrelevant), which made it an instant hit with anyone who wanted to stand out.

RMC picked up on it quickly, made a luxury version that is responsible for them still being in business and the rest is, well, history.

Really interesting, crazy that I've heard so much about Bucos but this is my first time hearing of Tanaka or his books.

What is the 'twist' for Bucos that you were referring to?

 

[Monitor]

Really interesting, crazy that I've heard so much about Bucos but this is my first time hearing of Tanaka or his books.

What is the 'twist' for Bucos that you were referring to?

The D-pocket instead of a coin flap pocket, of course but there's the removable belt, full action back, etc. All the little details that make it different than the Perfecto, while still not taking anything away from it.

 

[newtojackets]

The D-pocket instead of a coin flap pocket, of course but there's the removable belt, full action back, etc. All the little details that make it different than the Perfecto, while still not taking anything away from it.

Honestly didn't even realise they were the creators of the D-pocket

 

[Marc mndt]

Honestly didn't even realise they were the creators of the D-pocket

Because they're not. Here's a late 30s Leathertogs d pocket.

And an early/mid 30s one