AeroFan_07
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,725
- Location
- Iowa
Hello Lounge friends, I wanted to do a quick write-up of my first ever experance with a Langlitz jacket. This one came through a trade with a well-known member of this forum. It's been a real treat to get to spend a little time with, and here's my findings so far:
This is a 1986 Columbia, with a thicked kidney belt/partially padded waist feature. It was custom made so "un-sized" as are the majority of thier products. This particular jacket did come with a belt, however for reasons that will become obvious presently, I have not installed or used the belt.
This Columbia is basic black with a cotton-type lining, laced sides, brass zippers and snaps and a small additonal pocket on the left arm. for being over 30 years old the leather has great grain and patina on the arms, however shows very little wear or even patina in the rest of the jacket. This is most likely thier Medium weight Steerhide leather and is quite pliable. It wears very easily and moves very well with you. Very nice for motorcycling in my opinion. Sleeves are nice and long, see measurements below:
P2P is 23.3" - 23.5"
Sleeves are 27"
Back length is 26.2"
Waist is (unlaced) 20.5" or 21"
Now to some photos:
As can be seen here, this jacket runs just a little short in the Troso. *Bear in mind it was made for a specific person - 30 years ago* What is perhaps a bit more difficult to see is how much the waist measurement of 21" compared to pit to pit of 23.5" really does. It's very tight when zipped up. Here's a contrasting photo un-zipped:
Keeping this jacket un-zipped it's as close to perfect as I could get. However in Iowa, this just isn't going to be practical. Still, what this little test has done is to show me just how great a jacket like this can be, and given me motovation to look at this brand more. I really like the detailing on this jacket, and the apparent quality that is present here. Take a look at the back of this jacket and again, bear in mind it is over 30 years old:
This picture shows the "tightness" around the waist as well. Great details, and I attribute some of this size reduction in size to the thickly padded kidney belt area that in this jacket goes all the way around, not just in the rear.
So this jacket is headed back to Langlitz this week. It has convinced me that I would like to try a Crescent, thier Cafe Racer style. I'm intending to order this with a similar western yoke on the upper back area, otherwise as plain, simple and heavy-weight Steerhide leather as they offer. Interestlingly Langlitz does not offer Horsehide.
I've enjoyed talking with Benny about this jacket, as well as the Cresent that I am going to order. I have gone through the full measurement process, the most thorough I have seen. Since they allow trade-ins, I'm going to head that direction. They also offered to modify this jacket to fit better, however I have 3 perfecto style jackets, also all with brass zippers and trim, so I would prefer to go with a Cafe Racer.
To anyone considering such a jacket, I reccomend to look them up and give them a call. As much as anything, supporting a family business, with mail-in and phone correspondance, and timeless service really is something I want to do. We'll let you all know about the finished product in a few months.
This is a 1986 Columbia, with a thicked kidney belt/partially padded waist feature. It was custom made so "un-sized" as are the majority of thier products. This particular jacket did come with a belt, however for reasons that will become obvious presently, I have not installed or used the belt.
This Columbia is basic black with a cotton-type lining, laced sides, brass zippers and snaps and a small additonal pocket on the left arm. for being over 30 years old the leather has great grain and patina on the arms, however shows very little wear or even patina in the rest of the jacket. This is most likely thier Medium weight Steerhide leather and is quite pliable. It wears very easily and moves very well with you. Very nice for motorcycling in my opinion. Sleeves are nice and long, see measurements below:
P2P is 23.3" - 23.5"
Sleeves are 27"
Back length is 26.2"
Waist is (unlaced) 20.5" or 21"
Now to some photos:
As can be seen here, this jacket runs just a little short in the Troso. *Bear in mind it was made for a specific person - 30 years ago* What is perhaps a bit more difficult to see is how much the waist measurement of 21" compared to pit to pit of 23.5" really does. It's very tight when zipped up. Here's a contrasting photo un-zipped:
Keeping this jacket un-zipped it's as close to perfect as I could get. However in Iowa, this just isn't going to be practical. Still, what this little test has done is to show me just how great a jacket like this can be, and given me motovation to look at this brand more. I really like the detailing on this jacket, and the apparent quality that is present here. Take a look at the back of this jacket and again, bear in mind it is over 30 years old:
This picture shows the "tightness" around the waist as well. Great details, and I attribute some of this size reduction in size to the thickly padded kidney belt area that in this jacket goes all the way around, not just in the rear.
So this jacket is headed back to Langlitz this week. It has convinced me that I would like to try a Crescent, thier Cafe Racer style. I'm intending to order this with a similar western yoke on the upper back area, otherwise as plain, simple and heavy-weight Steerhide leather as they offer. Interestlingly Langlitz does not offer Horsehide.
I've enjoyed talking with Benny about this jacket, as well as the Cresent that I am going to order. I have gone through the full measurement process, the most thorough I have seen. Since they allow trade-ins, I'm going to head that direction. They also offered to modify this jacket to fit better, however I have 3 perfecto style jackets, also all with brass zippers and trim, so I would prefer to go with a Cafe Racer.
To anyone considering such a jacket, I reccomend to look them up and give them a call. As much as anything, supporting a family business, with mail-in and phone correspondance, and timeless service really is something I want to do. We'll let you all know about the finished product in a few months.
