Monitor's Aero FQHH Cafe Racer

[Monitor]

Nothing overly exciting I suppose, but here are some photos of my new, modified Aero Cafe Racer in black CX FQHH.

I was quite worried how my stupid mod ideas will be handled, but Aero - or rather, Moira Mac - did an absolutely perfect job! I couldn't be any happier.
For example, the collar - I've requested the Board Racer collar as I think it's a much better look than the standard Aero CR collar, but on the other hand, I never quite liked the look of either the rounder or squared collar end on most CR jackets. Miss Mac, however, totally surprised me with the way she made the collar. The entire jacket is done just right!

Few other mods done to it (only thing I haven't messed with was the size/fit) but nothing unheard of, as you can see. Wanted to keep it simple.

I must note that this is by far the most motorcycle friendly jacket I've had from Aero! From my understanding, the fit of a CR shouldn't be that different than the J106, but it works so much better on the bike - even though the J106 has a full action back and should thus, in theory, be much more functional. Truth be told, I haven't actually rode anywhere yet wearing the CR as the bike is pretty much falling apart but I've sat on it and I can't imagine a better fitting MC jacket. Just odd.

Well, enough talk. Here are some photos of the jacket, and for much more, please hit the link below.

http://s866.photobucket.com/user/DogLizard/library/Aero Cafe Racer

Comments as always greatly appreciated!

 

[pawineguy]

Congrats man, it looks fantastic. I agree that the board racer collar (to me) is much nicer than their standard CR collar, and I like the slanted pockets. Just a badass looking jacket and the grain on the back already looks incredible. They really nailed this one for you, especially as you noted that the fit is perfect.

 

[handymike]

Very nice Monitor

 

[ykurtz]

Looks great. Badass motorcycle jacket! Big fan of the back and the minor mods makes the jacket unique.

 

[bbq]

Great looking jacket. Sleek and stealthy. I think you've achieved all your design goals.

 

[Blackadder]

Looks sharp especially the angled chest pockets. The collar straps need getting used to though.

 

[Mysteryo]

Very Nice jacket, and the fQHH must feel great (I have the Aero J106, and the Schott/context D-Pocket,and I love wearing them both).
Your jacket just looks like my 60's Fidelity CR (steerhide) exept your copyrighted collar, but with a short back lenght.

Any fit pics?

 

[technovox]

Really stunning- especially with the slanted pockets. They make a perfect match up with the BR collar. Looks like you’ve got the best of both worlds- old school look- yet with a modern functional fit. Congratulations!
Hopefully we’ll get some fit pics?

 

[navetsea]

great looking jacket, very cool slanted pocket, and the leather seems like already broken in so quickly I love how the creases on the arm, and those marks on the back!

 

[Fanch]

Great acquisition and look forward to fit pics.

 

[Sloan1874]

Lovely jacket, Monitor. That leather looks as if it's got a nice marbled patina already.

 

[Superfluous]

Looks great Monitor! Congrats!

 

[Damo]

Well done. Congrats! Does aero charge for those mods?

 

[Edward]

Nice. What modifications did you do other than the collar - angled pockets, no handwarmers....?

 

[Monitor]

Nice getting home from work to such wonderful comments! Thank you very much, everyone!

BTW, I haven't requested the collar to be made this way, I just asked for one like on a BR, with a longer flap. I was expecting the rounded one, like on the BR we see on the photos, hence my surprise.

Edward, the mods were; angled pockets (no hand-warmers comes as a standard, actually), inside sleeve zipper (can't say why exactly but I prefer 'em placed there), tapered sleeves at the cuffs (hate it when I can push my hand through a zippered sleeve opening), BR collar with two snaps, main zipper positioned as on the BR... What technovox said, really - the best of both worlds is what I was going for!

Mysteryo, Fidelity, early Schott and Becks CR's were my inspiration for this jacket. The back length isn't actually that short, I've left it at 25" and Aero standard is 25.5". Just that I've requested sleeves at 26", so it makes it look shorter than it really is.

As for the patina, I've asked for a leather with a bit more character, without going full tumbled/vintaged FQHH. It is considerably different than both J106 jackets I have had, which were smoother and shinier in appearance, but also more pliable from the get go. It appears more broken in than it actually is, the jacket's still very rigid. It's heavy, too.

Damo, the mods were £40. I think it's a fixed up-charge, regardless of how extensive the modifications are.

I'll try to get some fit pictures ASAP but... I'm afraid you'll say it's too short. :/

 

[pawineguy]

NO ONE SAY IT'S TOO SHORT!!!! Please, for god's sake, let the man be happy with this one!

 

[theeggcarton]

A beauty! Thanks for sharing!
+1 on the fit pics

 

[handymike]

Let's get it out of the way before the pics come...
Just kidding Monitor.

 

[Worf]

How can I say it's too short with no fit pics? Good lookin' jacket if'n you ask me.

Worf

 

[tnjyoung]

Monitor,
The jacket looks great! I don't ride (at the moment), but if I did this would be the type of jacket I'd want. As above posters said, badass jacket from start to finish. Love that you got the black liner, too, to emphasize the no-nonsense appeal. Great job!