Johnson Leather Jacket

[HoosierDaddy]

Ahhh but i did remember reading a story about the left/right sleeve that got shorter after a good downpour and motorcycle ride.

Yes. I went on a motorcycle ride where we got soaked in a down pour and then the hot sun came out. We rode for another hour or so and then stopped for a beer. I did notice that my leather MC jacket had shrunk almost an inch on one sleeve. I put it up for sale. Several of the guys I rode with back then tried it on but passed on buying it because of the sleeve until I ran into a rider who's right arm was an inch shorter than his left. He payed what I was asking and was quite happy.

 

[Jin431]

Jackets can shrink as they age and get exposed to water, heat, and other conditions. Several have experienced some mystery shrinkage, but many don’t notice unless the jacket is on the shorter end to begin with.
Show us a picture when you get a chance, it might have just shaped to your body.

Quick dirty photo compared when new.

It still looks fine but I probably have to tuck my shirt when I wear this jacket. I do hope it does not shrink any shorter than this

 

[handymike]

It does look shorter. Maybe JL could give some advice. There is a possibility to wet and stretch it a bit, not really sure.

 

[Jin431]

It does look shorter. Maybe JL could give some advice. There is a possibility to wet and stretch it a bit, not really sure.

It was already short to begin with and now it's even shorter so I could definitely tell the difference especially when I bend down. Although the lining didn't shrink the leather did so there is a noticeable excess fabric that gets caught at times when I'm putting on the jacket. I reached out to JL already and waiting to for a response

 

[navetsea]

Do jacket can really shrink just by being wet? I think more likely heat is a factor to shrinkage, when wet they usually expand a little, if for some reason maybe due to its own weight if the jacket is heavy and totally saturated it can stretch somewhat when hanged i think i experienced this stretch recently by wearing a vegtan (dry leather) in the rain, and then kept on wearing it until half dry and hanged overnight outside my window. The first time the same leather gotten wet just by light misting and worn to dry it appeared shorter once dried but that just the leather bricked and hold any creases deeply, if i oil it it will get relaxed again and most likely return to its original appearance, in my case it was nat color and i dont want to darken it through over saturating with oil since it would look dirty brown and feel mushy , i rather have only the sun and dirt and surface oil darken it into warmer brown tone, so for a long time the jacket appear shrunken until the leather gets softer and the creases relaxes.

 

[Jin431]

Do jacket can really shrink just by being wet? I think more likely heat is a factor to shrinkage, when wet they usually expand a little, if for some reason maybe due to its own weight if the jacket is heavy and totally saturated it can stretch somewhat when hanged i think i experienced this stretch recently by wearing a vegtan (dry leather) in the rain, and then kept on wearing it until half dry and hanged overnight outside my window. The first time the same leather gotten wet just by light misting and worn to dry it appeared shorter once dried but that just the leather bricked and hold any creases deeply, if i oil it it will get relaxed again and most likely return to its original appearance, in my case it was nat color and i dont want to darken it through over saturating with oil since it would look dirty brown and feel mushy , i rather have only the sun and dirt and surface oil darken it into warmer brown tone, so for a long time the jacket appear shrunken until the leather gets softer and the creases relaxes.

That's good to know. Even though it's a pretty mild winter here it's by nowhere near hot enough to have heat shrink my jacket so it's really baffling to me. It still fits but I'm not too sure about the length now lol looks like I borrowed someone's jacket.

I hope to hear from JL soon, hopefully this can be addressed

 

[navetsea]

is the jacket also look shorter on the front? if the front is in fact getting longer and the back getting shorter, probably what happened is just by wetting it the jacket mould to your shoulder more naturally as it dries, and that seam on top of your shoulder resting forward a little so it pulled up the whole back higher and the front lower, probably you would also feel the back of your collar moving closer toward the back of your neck and front collar moving away from your throat?

 

[Psant25]

@Jin431 I bet you could add a 2-3 inch band to the bottom of the jacket like your brown one. Pic the length. pretty easy by JL and not too pricey. would need a new zip prlly.

 

[ton312]

^Agreed, throw a waist band on it.

 

[Jin431]

is the jacket also look shorter on the front? if the front is in fact getting longer and the back getting shorter, probably what happened is just by wetting it the jacket mould to your shoulder more naturally as it dries, and that seam on top of your shoulder resting forward a little so it pulled up the whole back higher and the front lower, probably you would also feel the back of your collar moving closer toward the back of your neck and front collar moving away from your throat?

Looks like it shortened in the front as well because the zippers are warped. It might have molded in my chest/shoulder too well. But why would the lining get more slack? It does feel great from chest to the waist but I feel a little too bare in the hip area.

@Jin431 I bet you could add a 2-3 inch band to the bottom of the jacket like your brown one. Pic the length. pretty easy by JL and not too pricey. would need a new zip prlly.

That's actually crossed my mind as well, it's just looks a little too short like a ladies jacket. I'm just afraid the band will shrink too. I really don't want a jacket that I can't get caught in the rain. Thank you.

^Agreed, throw a waist band on it.

Not a bad option huh. It will probably look like a modified HWM. Thank you.

 

[Hh121]

why you have to pay any $ to repair this? It is their responsibility to warn you the leather will shrink that much when you spec back length.

 

[Jin431]

why you have to pay any $ to repair this? It is their responsibility to warn you the leather will shrink that much when you spec back length.

They are still closed and still haven't returned my message so I don't know their take yet. It is a new leather to them as well and my jacket is probably the most worn at this time. If I had known I would have made it longer for sure. I'm more anxious about the jacket shrinking even more if I ever get rained on again.

 

[Psant25]

They are still closed and still haven't returned my message so I don't know their take yet. It is a new leather to them as well and my jacket is probably the most worn at this time. If I had known I would have made it longer for sure. I'm more anxious about the jacket shrinking even more if I ever get rained on again.

I would think that is it. Go 4 inches on the band or have them soak the leather and dry before they cut it. You are a good customer and can go in for a face to face talk. I am sure you guys can come up with a good solution. Being a newer leather they should probably test that stuff out first like soaking it seeing how it handles water and sun etc. either way they have always been good to me and i am sure they will take care of you

 

[Psant25]

I should also note all my leather jackets after some water and sun and creases in the back the measured length is always 1/2 to 1 inch shorter comparing new vs. broken in. Same for sleeve length.

 

[Jin431]

I would think that is it. Go 4 inches on the band or have them soak the leather and dry before they cut it. You are a good customer and can go in for a face to face talk. I am sure you guys can come up with a good solution. Being a newer leather they should probably test that stuff out first like soaking it seeing how it handles water and sun etc. either way they have always been good to me and i am sure they will take care of you

Noted, I'll see what they recommend but most likely the added band will be my choice as well. I'm sure they will, never had an issue with them. They asked me to bring the jacket in when I pick up the Aero I'm getting altered.

I should also note all my leather jackets after some water and sun and creases in the back the measured length is always 1/2 to 1 inch shorter comparing new vs. broken in. Same for sleeve length.

That's great to know, I had no idea about that. I get it now that's also probably why I see riders get extra sleeve length because it will cover the arms better and the fact that it will shorten with wear and being out in the elements. It makes more sense now. So do you always add that 0.5-1" extra length when you order your jackets?

 

[Psant25]

Noted, I'll see what they recommend but most likely the added band will be my choice as well. I'm sure they will, never had an issue with them. They asked me to bring the jacket in when I pick up the Aero I'm getting altered.



That's great to know, I had no idea about that. I get it now that's also probably why I see riders get extra sleeve length because it will cover the arms better and the fact that it will shorten with wear and being out in the elements. It makes more sense now. So do you always add that 0.5-1" extra length when you order your jackets?

With aero i did but i think i added the extra 1/2 inch knowing we measured different just to get the measurement i want. I guess I do that for JL too. Sleeve i used to spec long thinking it always creases up an inch. But i think it does that more if the sleeves are too long to begin with. In general i would spec a little more length like 1/2 inch as I would prefer that compared to too short. I also sold jackets cuz I specified them too long lol so i am still working on it

 

[Jin431]

With aero i did but i think i added the extra 1/2 inch knowing we measured different just to get the measurement i want. I guess I do that for JL too. Sleeve i used to spec long thinking it always creases up an inch. But i think it does that more if the sleeves are too long to begin with. In general i would spec a little more length like 1/2 inch as I would prefer that compared to too short. I also sold jackets cuz I specified them too long lol so i am still working on it

Thanks. I'll do that from now on too. I only used to account for sleeve shrinkage as I never knew the jacket shell sometimes shrink as well. I guess that's why it's important to know the leather and it's tendencies when placing orders. I did want to try a new leather they offered so I'm not regretting the purchase and I'm sure now JL know as well that it can shrink but it can develop character quickly.

 

[Jin431]

Took my black Masaye HH jacket back to JL today when I picked up my Aero that was being altered. JL offered a remake of the jacket but I said no as the jacket fits me so nicely and I've pretty much completely breaked it in. So they said okay to adding a bottom waist band. Also started my next project with them a Eastman Luftwaffe inspired jacket made from seal brown Horween Vermont with riri zippers.

Photos of the Aero with the mouton collar, they did a superb job adding the collar and trimming the jacket by 2" chest/waist/hem

A little extra bonus lol

 

[roadking04]

Looks incredible! Looks like they nailed it!

 

[Jin431]

Looks incredible! Looks like they nailed it!

They did, I really like this mouton collar. The fit is so much better now than what it was, it feels right. Thank you.