Motorcycle Jacket

[kyboots]

This is a Super Monza by Lewis Leathers: http://www.lewisleathers.com/gallery/super_monza_no_445_2.html
Probably more than you want to spend, but very, very good jackets that are made to measure. Maybe try eBay for a used jacket in the same style? Lewis leathers still go for big money but you can often find old British jackets of this style for cheap - TT Leathers, Rivetts etc.

That is a really tough looking jacket! Since I have that zipper with my Aero Bootlegger I am really drawn to that too. Aether are these Lewis jackets the same quality that we should expect? I am not familiar too much with them other than name. ---John

 

[kyboots]

The recent discussion on Pegasus comes to mind as a maker of nice trim D pocket off centered half belts. Their D pocket had no belt or epaulets. Very trim and smart looking jacket.
http://www.pegasusjackets.com/d-pocket-motorcycle-jacket-description.php
Welcome to the lounge and be sure to post pics of your jacket when you do find something.

That horsehide Pegasus is a real beaut too.

 

[Justhandguns]

That is a really tough looking jacket! Since I have that zipper with my Aero Bootlegger I am really drawn to that too. Aether are these Lewis jackets the same quality that we should expect? I am not familiar too much with them other than name. ---John

Lewis are top quality jackets. Saying that, they are more like fashion jackets these days. If you talk about the sewing and finishing quality, they are probably even better than most makers such as Aero / Vanson etc. (Some may not agree though, but I must say I have DO own all these brands, so please don't attempt to argue with me). Lewis mostly use very nice and soft steerhides (maybe cowhides?), so if you are looking for tough riding jackets or horsehide jackets, you can forget about Lewis then. Their leathers are not as thick as Aero's/Vanson/Langlitz, probably because of they are tailored as those jackets in the 60s' where bikes were much less powerful. But then, the leather finishing on all Lewis are flawless as they hand pick and match all hides that they use.

 

[kyboots]

Well! may have to look seriously at one of these. Winter is on the way and it is time to pull something close to a 46 in next month! Thanks for the good info. As I stated these both are good looking jackets! Maybe a winter trip to England ?--John

 

[Justhandguns]

Well! may have to look seriously at one of these. Winter is on the way and it is time to pull something close to a 46 in next month! Thanks for the good info. As I stated these both are good looking jackets! Maybe a winter trip to England ?--John

Well, you may also look at this Eastman if you like the Pegasus.

http://www.eastmanleather.com/produ...d=150&osCsid=43eba79df5d4ecfb60fdad6730bb3444

But of course, Pegasus does look pretty cool.

 

[Aether]

Lewis are top quality jackets. Saying that, they are more like fashion jackets these days. If you talk about the sewing and finishing quality, there are probably even better than most makers such as Aero / Vanson etc. (Some may not agree though, but I must say I have DO own all these brands, so please don't attempt to argue with me). Lewis mostly use very nice and soft steerhides (maybe cowhides?), so if you are looking for tough riding jackets or horsehide jackets, you can forget about Lewis then. Their leathers are not as thick as Aero's/Vanson/Langlitz, probably because of they are tailored as those jackets in the 60s' where bikes were much less powerful. But then, the leather finish on all Lewis are flawless as they hand pick and match all hides that they use.

I agree with Justhandguns on the quality of the Lewis Leathers jackets.

I'd rate the stitching and general finish above any of the Aeros I've had (although an A2 I have from 1998 is pretty flawless), and the fit is definitely superior.

The leather is quite a bit lighter than Aero's FQHH but because it's so supple I find it a lot more comfortable to ride in. Derek, the owner of Lewis, told me that they use the highest grade hides that their [British] supplier offers, and they're selected for superior abrasion resistance and water resistance. I find it more water resistant than FQHH and it isn't so stiff in the cold either - both big bonuses for riding!

My summary would be: Seriously cool jacket for riding and then wearing around town. And if it came to it, IMHO it would hold up fine if you went down the road.

KYBoots: Forgot to add that if you're in London you really should check out the shop, they're really nice guys and there's some great old jackets and Rocker memorabilia too.

 

[mickyo]

You may want to take a look at the Commander from Fox Creek Leather. Similar to what you're looking at but you will have to do the distressing.

I ordered one but sent it back do to sizing which was a little too small. I may still go ahead and try the next size up. Real nice jacket though.

Nice suggestion. That's a cool looking jacket. I wonder if the front pocket adds too much bulk?

 

[mickyo]

Thanks for the eBay suggestion, guys. I hadn't searched in the eBay Motors section for a jacket because I didn't think they would have them there. There's some nicely distressed ones on there, but they're too big. I wear a 38 jacket.

 

[Seb Lucas]

The image was removed. Sorry for that. I'm attaching it here.

Is this actually a motorbike jacket? Looks to me like a soft lambskin jacket with factory distressing. Surely a fashion job. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

[Edward]

Lewis are top quality jackets. Saying that, they are more like fashion jackets these days. If you talk about the sewing and finishing quality, they are probably even better than most makers such as Aero / Vanson etc. (Some may not agree though, but I must say I have DO own all these brands, so please don't attempt to argue with me). Lewis mostly use very nice and soft steerhides (maybe cowhides?), so if you are looking for tough riding jackets or horsehide jackets, you can forget about Lewis then. Their leathers are not as thick as Aero's/Vanson/Langlitz, probably because of they are tailored as those jackets in the 60s' where bikes were much less powerful. But then, the leather finishing on all Lewis are flawless as they hand pick and match all hides that they use.

Lewis really are nice. I lean to Aero for personal choice simply because they're a whack cheaper for me and I very much prefer my leather stiff and heavy, but you can't fault Lewis for what they do. The modern Lewises I've seen are really spot on recreations of the originals. And yes, I agree re relative power of the bikes involved being an issue.

Is this actually a motorbike jacket? Looks to me like a soft lambskin jacket with factory distressing. Surely a fashion job. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

I've seen plenty of old, "proper" jackets that look that level of wear after twenty years. Not sure about the sleeves, though - look far too short, even allowing for being pushed up? That might point to it being a more "fashion" oriented item.

 

[Tony B]

I think just handguns maybe right,I haven't seen any modern lewis leathers stuff but I looked at the site the other day after seeing this and was suprised to see them say that they use 1.1-1.3 mm hide. Mine was bought about 1990 and weighed about 9 pounds which at a guess would be 4.5- 5 oz leather about 1.8 mm or so and in the years I had it it never really broke in, my mate had one at least 10 years older than mine and it was even tougher, not thicker or heavier just tougher ,I think it was the coating on the leather, they were good if you fell off but awfull for everything else.

Seems like the lewis leathers lot must have been watching belstaff so it would probably be best to buy secondhand....older seconhand at that.

Mickyo when searching ebay don't forget to go worldwide rather that US only (along the left toolbar) that way people selling in the uk or anywhere else and prepared to post abroard will show up...and for secondhand clothes there is on import taxes, at least going this way , I would imagine it is the same to america. Should be a peice of cake finding old jackets in youre size.

 

[Justhandguns]

I think just handguns maybe right,I haven't seen any modern lewis leathers stuff but I looked at the site the other day after seeing this and was suprised to see them say that they use 1.1-1.3 mm hide. Mine was bought about 1990 and weighed about 9 pounds which at a guess would be 4.5- 5 oz leather about 1.8 mm or so and in the years I had it it never really broke in, my mate had one at least 10 years older than mine and it was even tougher, not thicker or heavier just tougher ,I think it was the coating on the leather, they were good if you fell off but awfull for everything else.

Seems like the lewis leathers lot must have been watching belstaff so it would probably be best to buy secondhand....older seconhand at that.

I think the current owner of Lewis took over the company in 1991 according to some online interviews. Before that, I think Lewis did make some really hardcore, more practical bike jackets, more like body armours. The company is now more orientated to the Asian, namely Japanese, markets as I believe the owner's wife is Japanese. But I think Lewis is better than Belstaff as Lewis is still operating as a small, personal owned business. Belstaff, on the other hand, is becoming more like fashion brand these days, not genuinely UK made, plenty of sponsoring activities on TV/Movie stars. I sort of admire Lewis' business model, and Aero as well.

 

[Dinerman]

It's a style that's a bit uncommon, but still around. Asymmetrical zip with a cafe-racer collar.

These aren't the best examples, but here are some more variations.

 

[Tony B]

Body armour is about the best way to describe the old ones we had, you just felt invulnerable in those things but didn't dare to let on that they were a pain to wear....you just sort of nonchelantly dumped them on the nearest floor as soon as you didn't need wear them and hope nobody twigged that didn't like wearing the thing...absolute life savers in the event of an "off" though, they would just take whatever you threw at them almost without marking up which was another thing that was irritating about them as a young git who didn't want a visibly new jacket.

Ther wasn't an image thing about it either then it was just if you want the toughest jacket you can get you go to lewis.....we used to give that stuff away when we finished with it...you never wore any of it out it was always good enough for someone else to use.....when I looked at ebay the other day I am glad I was sitting down....I gave a fortune away.

If you can turn up one of the old ones up they must just about be broken in by now and would make a hell of a good second hand buy.

I am a big sod and used to do a few weights and between that and the fact that the lewis stuff always had very squared off sharp looking shoulders mine was christened the terminator jacket......I think it was meant as an insult but I chose not to take it that way as that WAS how they made you feel....good for mosh pits as well as falling off bikes.

I was just having a look at the lewis site and it said they were owned by ketts during the time I was getting gear and that rang a bell one of my mates had a jacket of theirs which wasn't bad either.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-KETT-BLACK-LEATHERS-MOTORCYCLE-JACKET-SIZE-38-PUNK-METAL-ROCK-INDIE-/350509410819?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Clothing&hash=item519bfd2a03

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-VINTAGE-SUPERB-KETT-MOTORCYCLE-LEATHER-JACKET-40-VGC-/250936710997?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Clothing&hash=item3a6cfe5755

One of them has black plastic zips but for that price you could afford to get them changed and if you did trash it it wouldn't break your heart for that money.

 

[Aether]

As always Tony lots of good info from you, I for one look forward to your posts! Also interesting to hear about the relationship between Ketts & Lewis, I'd seen them around before but didn't know they used to own LL. Might see if I can pick one up whilst they're still cheap.

Thought I'd stick a picture up of my (modern) LL Super Monza. It's kind of similar to what the OP wants, and you can't have too many jacket pics on here I suppose...

 

[Tony B]

Thanks aether I didn't have aclue about the Ketts thing either until today but like I said ir rang a bel becuase one of my mates had one and wee used to take the mick about the badge on the arm but it was a proper bike jacket not just a fashion jacket so it will be tough.

Thay one in your pic looks very farmiliar except for the arm pocket....I presume with the prices they are asking these days you dont "accidentally" rub against brick walls or lean up against them doing that baloo bear from jungle book scratching an itch thing at every opertunity or other wise trash them to make them look lived in...I know I wouldn't anymore.

 

[Aether]

You're right Tony I won't be rubbing against any walls if I can help it. That said, I've accidentally 'rubbed' a few jackets along the road over the last few years, but I don't plan on doing that again!

 

[Pegasus jackets]

Hi Mickyo,

IMHO the jacket in your picture is not made by Lewis. I've personally handled alot of these jackets and they are quite common here on the continent. There are two in my collection. I'll post a pic or two later. Most of these jackets were made in the 70's by no name or small German and French manufacturers. I think the idea was to try to emulate the "British biker" style of Lewis but with a few differences. Alot of these had contrasting details (red, blue, green, white) shoulders cinch belts etc. The one in your pick is pure black. If you go to ebay.de (German ebay) and type in "old school lederjacke" you will see a few originals and repros. Here's a link to a repro (that I'm in no way recommending or vouching for in terms of quality):

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Old-School-Lederjacke-Motorradjacke-Schwarz-NEU-/130531170224?pt=DE_Herren_Jacken_M%C3%A4ntel&hash=item1e644397b0

Hope this helps you find what you're looking for.

Kevin

 

[mickyo]

It's a style that's a bit uncommon, but still around. Asymmetrical zip with a cafe-racer collar.

These aren't the best examples, but here are some more variations.

I think your first example is exactly the same as my example. What are these called? Thanks!

 

[dirty old biker]

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