Super 80's Vanson Chopper predecessor

[ton312]

i believe this jacket will not get much love here and I totally get it. It's super 80's, Balboa in Rocky 3 style. BUT. This was my first riding leather in college, tho mine was all black, and I bought it at a local goodwill. I saw this on eBay and I don't know if it's nostalgia or what but I want it. I suspect this owner cut off the belt as mine had an attached belt. It's long since disappeared from Vansons catalog and probably for good reason but you can certainly see some hints of the chopper in there. I dunno. Permed mulett and this jacket? Let 'er rip, plastic zippers and all.

 

[Bunyip]

Nice story. It would still look great in black.

 

[ton312]

'spose I'll need my '87 Yamaha Virago to go with it!

 

[Monitor]

Wow, I had know clue Vanson was this much into German jacket design of the 80's to recreate this. This style was really big around here and even I had one. Mine was Hein Gericke and I believe they were the ones who came up with the style. I think it was generally know as the Hurricane jacket?

Functionally, very sound jackets; however, not all that sightly. At least I never liked it much. It was just... Too much. Even though the one I had was really outstanding in quality! But then again, all Hein Gericke gear is. Super heavy, too. Indestructible. My friend to whom I've given it to still has it as his only motorcycle jacket. He must've taken a spill about 11 times in that jacket and it's still holding together.

 

[ton312]

Funny thing is, When I bought mine in '94 it was $45 bucks and my initial thought was "that's just way too expensive" especially for a thrift store item!
Of course as a college kid the scale was different but I knew just from the weight of the thing it was worth the dough.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Pretty neat find Tony, how much are they looking for it? I do agree the grey would be harder for me than basic black, but a neat retro style form a great company.

 

[ton312]

Pretty neat find Tony, how much are they looking for it? I do agree the grey would be harder for me than basic black, but a neat retro style form a great company.

Way more than I'd be willing to pay for it.

 

[barnabus]

I used to have a jacket in this style. I wore it right through my student years (it was my only jacket) but eventually got rid of it. However, even though I've never ridden a motorbike I missed it so much that I picked up another example a few years ago:

It was unlabelled so I never knew the brand, but it was massively solid cowhide and felt indestructible. It's gone again now of course, because I never wore it. Had to have it, never wore it. Typical!

No matter how much I tried to convince myself I could pretend to be Emil out of RoboCop.

 

[VansonRider]

I'm selling one of these on EBay! I love the way out style, and this one fits in the chest but it's for a TALL guy. Extra 3" in the arms and body.
Mine has really nice metal zippers, took it to Vanson to see if it was feasible to have it altered and it wouldn't be worth the cost. Besides I figure Vansons run short in the torso so some tall guy would be thrilled to find one.

 

[navetsea]

probably that power shoulder padding would look best when the jacket is totally faded scuffed from hard wearing, probably then it would spice up its look and giving it a character.

 

[VansonRider]

If it's not cool to link to an active auction I'll take this down, but here's the one I'm passing on.

It's all black, and that shoulder and lower back "padding" is actually just decorative stitching. No foam or batting that I can see.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vanson-Doub...647372?hash=item3ad780d38c:g:am8AAOSw-0xYeWnj

 

[ton312]

Cool! I'm on the lookout for a two tone 42"...it's an odd jacket but definitely functional and for me a bit nostalgic...

 

[VansonRider]

On the bay is a small 36/38? Two tone, it has a Velcro?! Belt. And a 44r that I was eyeballing too.

If your 6'1" or taller that might be a good fit for you.

 

[VansonRider]

That tall one sold quite a while ago, and just now I won a bid for the same coat, in a 42R, two tone black and gray! I really like how warm that one I sent in was, and this will be great here in Chicago. Looks just like the one pictures but has the belt still attached.

Still on the look out for one of those Swiss motorcycle messenger style coats, with the shoulder to shoulder overlap and huge pocket. This will do for now though.

 

[JMax]

That tall one sold quite a while ago, and just now I won a bid for the same coat, in a 42R, two tone black and gray! I really like how warm that one I sent in was, and this will be great here in Chicago. Looks just like the one pictures but has the belt still attached.

Still on the look out for one of those Swiss motorcycle messenger style coats, with the shoulder to shoulder overlap and huge pocket. This will do for now though.

I was watching both of those listings. Nice find and both look to have gone at pretty darn good prices.

 

[ton312]

That tall one sold quite a while ago, and just now I won a bid for the same coat, in a 42R, two tone black and gray! I really like how warm that one I sent in was, and this will be great here in Chicago. Looks just like the one pictures but has the belt still attached.

Still on the look out for one of those Swiss motorcycle messenger style coats, with the shoulder to shoulder overlap and huge pocket. This will do for now though.

Nice! I was watching that one too. You got a great deal!

 

[sweetfights]

View attachment 44778 View attachment 44777 i believe this jacket will not get much love here and I totally get it. It's super 80's, Balboa in Rocky 3 style. BUT. This was my first riding leather in college, tho mine was all black, and I bought it at a local goodwill. I saw this on eBay and I don't know if it's nostalgia or what but I want it. I suspect this owner cut off the belt as mine had an attached belt. It's long since disappeared from Vansons catalog and probably for good reason but you can certainly see some hints of the chopper in there. I dunno. Permed mulett and this jacket? Let 'er rip, plastic zippers and all.

Love the Rocky 3 flashback I just had!

 

[VansonRider]

Love the Rocky 3 flashback I just had!

Love the Rocky 3 flashback I just had!

I think I’ve figured out the original model! “hein gericke ruff & ready“
Designed for Harley Davidson in the AMF bad old days.

The Vanson has different elbows and no sleeve pocket like the movie version. I think theirs is tribute version. I’d love to find out the model name and dates of manufacture though.

Interestingly mine doesn’t have the snaps in the waist behind the belt buckle.

 

[ButteMT61]

I think I’ve figured out the original model! “hein gericke ruff & ready“
Designed for Harley Davidson in the AMF bad old days.

The Vanson has different elbows and no sleeve pocket like the movie version. I think theirs is tribute version. I’d love to find out the model name and dates of manufacture though.

Interestingly mine doesn’t have the snaps in the waist behind the belt buckle.

My first real street Moto jacket was a Hein Gerrick. It's from the same 80's era, and I could see wanting one if it came along in my size. That thing was a beast, and saved my hide literally twice. For that alone, I should have kept 'er.

 

[Monitor]

My first real street Moto jacket was a Hein Gerrick. It's from the same 80's era, and I could see wanting one if it came along in my size. That thing was a beast, and saved my hide literally twice. For that alone, I should have kept 'er.

Yep. A good HG is without equal. Some are virtual armour. Seen some motorcycle jackets and suits of theirs with leather that was like 2.5mm or something. Right now I'm back in HG and it's my main to go jacket.