Oh no! Talon zipper on Aero 38-1711-P stuck

[Sir Jacket]

Oh no! I've only had this Aero A2 for a month or so and the zipper is already stuck. I hear it is a common problem with the original Talons. Has anyone else experienced it and can you suggest any solutions? (Soap doesn't seem to work.) Big disappointment if I have to send it back to the factory. I was just getting ready to wear it in the spring and summer. See pic below. SJ

 

[Sloan1874]

Have you tried rubbing a candle on the teeth and easing it down that way?

 

[Dr H]

I'm surprised, Talons are usually pretty robust - Crowns and Conmars are usually more finnicky.

 

[Sir Jacket]

Thing is, I put it on in a bit of a hurry, without doing the fiddly business at the bottom that these deadstock zippers require -- and now look!

SJ

 

[bn1966]

Suprised here too, I've an original Talon on my A2 (daily wear) that's been faultless in the 4 years I've owned it.

 

[wdw]

I put it on in a bit of a hurry

Ouch:eeek: I feel your pain. Let's hope someone has a simple solution that doesn't involve sending it back up.

 

[bn1966]

Pencil lead?

 

[Sir Jacket]

Problem is, it's misaligned. Thought I was going to get stuck in the bloody thing. Had a doctor's appointment, which would have been pretty tough if they'd wanted to hear me cough or anything.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

My original Talon is working great, but I've only had it for a week. Is this what I have to look forward to?

 

[cloudylemonade]

Message from Ken....

It's an operater error, easy fix (2 minutes) but not for the unexperienced, we'll send it back by return complete with full instructions for using a Hookless zipper, they are very strong but need to be secured properly at the box before zipping.

You MUST NOT try to force the puller back down the zipper teeth.

 

[Dr H]

Might be necessary to remove the top 'stop' from the 'male' side (prising it apart), remove the slider from that side (carefully) then slide it down again. Replace the stop (crimp it tight) and you're done.
Try the simpler routes first though.
Good luck!

 

[some guy]

Might be necessary to remove the top 'stop' from the 'male' side (prising it apart), remove the slider from that side (carefully) then slide it down again. Replace the stop (crimp it tight) and you're done.
Try the simpler routes first though.
Good luck!

I had a problem like this with a repro tanker jacket - the zip wasn't locking. I took it to a tailor who squeezed the top and bottom of the zip together slightly which sorted it. She said if I had any more problems she could replace the moving part for a fiver. A few months later I had the same problem so I thought I would have a go at replacing it myself. I pulled a more robust part off an old fleece, then as mentioned above, took the top stop off, fitted the replacement slider on, and re-crimped the stop. It works perfeectly now, and should be good for a few years yet.


This might not help Sir Jacket but might be handy for future reference.

 

[ButteMT61]

I have a Waldes on the GW Ventura. I'm happy I don't zip much as it's a PITA. Many of the old or repro ones tend to be. Just takes some real concentration for a while...
BTW - don't use pencil (graphite) as it's messy and a b**** to get off of clothing/hands. Use clear candle wax if you need something. But most in the know say just use it a lot to get it worn-in...

 

[pilot error]

I use chapstick to lube all my vintage zippers........works great!

 

[Dr H]

Then, when you've sorted it, learn your lesson and exchange it for an A-1...

 

[Plumbline]

I know they're authentic 1920's ......

but I REALLY don't like the old hookless fastener design ....... maybe it's just "operator error" but my experience with two old leather jackets was that they were difficult to use (fiddly unless you could clearly see what you were doing) ... and incredibly unreliable ... having your bike jacket unravel from the bottom up mid ride is NOT a good thing.

Hopefully you get it fixed without having to send it back ( I was much more mechanically unsympathetic and had one of mine replaced with a more modern ( still old Talon) traditional zipper ... Jim Aird in Bishops Auckland did the work ... sacrilidge I know on an original jacket but back then I didn't know any better

Learn how to fix it though ... because my experience is it will happen again ... and again ... and again ( or maybe I just didn't learn how to do it right )

 

[Sir Jacket]

Message from Ken....

It's an operater error, easy fix (2 minutes) but not for the unexperienced, we'll send it back by return complete with full instructions for using a Hookless zipper, they are very strong but need to be secured properly at the box before zipping.

You MUST NOT try to force the puller back down the zipper teeth.

"Operator error" – it's a zip! OK, the zip is faulty so I'm going to have to return it. And I was just beginning to like that jacket...

 

[schitzo]

would this be the same zipper that's on the Original Hercules? I found that thing a bit tricky too. Sure it's a simple enough thing to operate properly, but when you're not used to focusing on the lining it up correctly part doing so doesn't come naturally.

Good luck SJ

 

[cloudylemonade]

That wasn't meant to be patronising, the same thing happened to me when I try to use one before... they take a bit of getting used to! It's not a faulty zip, but send it back and we'll fix it and send it straight back to you.

 

[Sloan1874]

I'm still currently sporting the 'tongue stuck out in concentration' look when I'm zipping up my hookless, which I understand it's a real winner with the ladies. Hoping this will pass in a couple of weeks...