Scovill Zipper Question

[jpk_NJ]

Curious to see if any of you guys can date this zipper. I've never seen a Scovill like it before, especially the nifty mating of bottom box/puller on the main zip. Even has what looks like a Pat# engraved.

 

[ton312]

Curious to see if any of you guys can date this zipper. I've never seen a Scovill like it before, especially the nifty mating of bottom box/puller on the main zip. Even has what looks like a Pat# engraved. View attachment 174310 View attachment 174311

No clue but I’d like to see the rest of the jacket as well!

 

[Monitor]

I've had an Avirex jacket which had the exact same zippers on the pockets and the sleeves. I don't have a clue, though. Post a few pictures of the jacket, it might help plus I'd love to see it, too.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Had a stroke of genius in my research last night. Gave myself my own clue when I read back my post. Searched up the patent # and found it was filed in 1954. Jacket is a simple single rider HD horsehide but has different zips from all others Ive seen. The 70's ones usually had Talon I think. Will post jacket pic when the conditioning is over, right now its absorbing some pecards.

https://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?docid...1=2728125.PN.%26OS=PN/2728125%26RS=PN/2728125

 

[jpk_NJ]

No clue but I’d like to see the rest of the jacket as well!

Two light coats of pecards in and it still wants more. Some areas are softening / regaining that more flexible leather feel while others are a bit armor like. It's like they strategically used noticeable thicker hides on the arms. Seems like AMF took Harley in 1969, so Im guessing this jacket is right around then or maybe an old stock from slightly earlier with the AMF Tag. Hoping someone else has one with the same cutout zipper and can clarify. Either way, I think my Cafe Racer hunt is over. This should be the one.

 

[jpk_NJ]

 

[ton312]

View attachment 174662 View attachment 174664

NICE MAN!!! Those AMF sporties are pretty darn rare. Not sure who made them but I think they were phased out when Brooks starting making the AMF jackets for dealerships.

 

[Monitor]

Yep, coolest CR out there.

 

[Will Zach]

Resurrecting this thread because I have identical-style HD Sportster but with a white label. It has become super-soft after two coats of Obenaufs a month ago. I looked closely at the zippers on my jacket - the sleeve zippers are identical to OP's (period Scovill), but the main zipper has been replaced by YKK. A pity, really, because the main zipper in OP's jacket is gorgeous. I suspect the main zipper change was done because of missing teeth. There are a few missing teeth in sleeve zippers, too, but they still work. Aluminum weakens over many years and teeth fall out. In fact, one fell out when I was testing the sleeve zippers.

Which brings me to my main point:

I pretty much decided to shorten the sleeves by 1.75 inches. These sleeves are made for riding (which I don't do) and I found the length a bit annoying. I have arms on the shorter end anyway (24-in is the sweet spot).

I sent an email to Alan at JL asking about such alteration. Should I keep the original 6-in Scovills despite the missing teeth? Look for period zippers? Or just get new YKKs? Maybe get just 4-in YKKs to make the alteration simpler (cheaper?).

What does the Lounge say?

 

[Peacoat]

Alan lost most or maybe all of his zippers in the fire. He will have limited availability. He has mostly Talon zippers. This information may be dated as it has been a year or so since I talked to him.

I would replace the zippers. If they are missing teeth now, that won't improve with age. If you can find the zippers you want, just send them along with the jacket to Alan, or use what he has in stock.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Resurrecting this thread because I have identical-style HD Sportster but with a white label. It has become super-soft after two coats of Obenaufs a month ago. I looked closely at the zippers on my jacket - the sleeve zippers are identical to OP's (period Scovill), but the main zipper has been replaced by YKK. A pity, really, because the main zipper in OP's jacket is gorgeous. I suspect the main zipper change was done because of missing teeth. There are a few missing teeth in sleeve zippers, too, but they still work. Aluminum weakens over many years and teeth fall out. In fact, one fell out when I was testing the sleeve zippers.

Which brings me to my main point:

I pretty much decided to shorten the sleeves by 1.75 inches. These sleeves are made for riding (which I don't do) and I found the length a bit annoying. I have arms on the shorter end anyway (24-in is the sweet spot).

I sent an email to Alan at JL asking about such alteration. Should I keep the original 6-in Scovills despite the missing teeth? Look for period zippers? Or just get new YKKs? Maybe get just 4-in YKKs to make the alteration simpler (cheaper?).

What does the Lounge say?

Thanks for replying and confirming my theory about this being an older stock white label harley late 60's jacket that was either tagged from the factory when AMF took over or the prior owner replaced a worn label with the black AMF one (seen these labels available on eBay). Its a shame yours is missing the funky cutout zipper. I think it was a great unique design but unfortunately never lasted due to increase production cost. After all, a zipper is just a zipper to most normal people. Unlike me! ha