How many new jackets do you have coming (and how many potential ones)?

[Canuck Panda]

The HD road king came today. The leather is not premium, but for the price and name brand, is a good value. However, Just to process the order it took them 12 days. Not a well oil machine. Having read their story, the Davidsons will be very frustrated with the company's current practices.

CHECKING THE PACKAGE: View attachment 449879

SECOND OPINION View attachment 449880 :

CAN IMPROVE BIG TIME:

View attachment 449881

During normal business hours, I contacted Vanson for a sleeve repair. I got an answering service saying they are not taking any calls and to leave a message. I e-mailed them instead. Let's see how long it takes for a response.

Is this comp weight cowhide or the waxy hide they used on the chopper?
Everytime I called Vanson I can hear them very busy in the background, like lots of other people on the phone. I don’t have luck emailing them, that was about a year or more ago, things could have changed. It seems that their distributors are giving best custom results, from what I’ve seen here.
The Cycle Champ repro is a keeper. I wished Vanson would do more Horween jackets like Schott, for the special limited runs.

 

[photo2u]

Is this comp weight cowhide or the waxy hide they used on the chopper?
Everytime I called Vanson I can hear them very busy in the background, like lots of other people on the phone. I don’t have luck emailing them, that was about a year or more ago, things could have changed. It seems that their distributors are giving best custom results, from what I’ve seen here.
The Cycle Champ repro is a keeper. I wished Vanson would do more Horween jackets like Schott, for the special limited runs.

Canuck, the comp weight leather used for this jacket, is not as good as their current regular comp weight leather. In my book, It is two steps below their older comp weight leather.
Regarding their customer service, I think things got worst. Because now, they do not even have people answering the phones. LOL.
This is a cycle king. However, my favorite model of the 50s HD "cycle" was the third cycle champ style. In my view, no one has decently reproduced the jacket. YES, I had the "premium" maker's silly attempts to make one. Truly, I do not understand how the so-called premium makers do not pay attention to detail. Would it be because of trademark agreements? For what is worth, this cycle king is the very best reproduction I have seen. The hide could have improved, that's all. I would happily pay an extra $300 for a nice HHCXL/SHCXL

 

[TREEMAN]

Any close up pics of the leather ?

 

[Canuck Panda]

Canuck, the comp weight leather used for this jacket, is not as good as their current regular comp weight leather. In my book, It is two steps below their older comp weight leather.
Regarding their customer service, I think things got worst. Because now, they do not even have people answering the phones. LOL.
This is a cycle king. However, my favorite model of the 50s HD "cycle" was the third cycle champ style. In my view, no one has decently reproduced the jacket. YES, I had the "premium" maker's silly attempts to make one. Truly, I do not understand how the so-called premium makers do not pay attention to detail. Would it be because of trademark agreements? For what is worth, this cycle king is the very best reproduction I have seen. The hide could have improved, that's all. I would happily pay an extra $300 for a nice HHCXL/SHCXL

That's an awesome jacket. I had it on my list since I saw AeroFan's write up on it. Enjoy!

 

[Blackadder]

Canuck, the comp weight leather used for this jacket, is not as good as their current regular comp weight leather. In my book, It is two steps below their older comp weight leather.
Regarding their customer service, I think things got worst. Because now, they do not even have people answering the phones. LOL.
This is a cycle king. However, my favorite model of the 50s HD "cycle" was the third cycle champ style. In my view, no one has decently reproduced the jacket. YES, I had the "premium" maker's silly attempts to make one. Truly, I do not understand how the so-called premium makers do not pay attention to detail. Would it be because of trademark agreements? For what is worth, this cycle king is the very best reproduction I have seen. The hide could have improved, that's all. I would happily pay an extra $300 for a nice HHCXL/SHCXL

You referring to HD licensed McCoy's repro of Cycle Champ? I have never handled one but I have heard that it is not 100% accurate. I have a 50s Cycle Champ repro by Toyo Enterprise, the D pocket may not be 100% accurate. In any case, the shape of the D pockets on the 3rd version are inconsistent even on the originals I have seen on the internet. Not very good QC back in the 50s.

 

[photo2u]

You referring to HD licensed McCoy's repro of Cycle Champ? I have never handled one but I have heard that it is not 100% accurate. I have a 50s Cycle Champ repro by Toyo Enterprise, the D pocket may not be 100% accurate. In any case, the shape of the D pockets on the 3rd version are inconsistent even on the originals I have seen on the internet. Not very good QC back in the 50s.

I have seen the rmcj and the toyo. I have also seen other premium makers from Europe. However, My favorite model is the original last 50s production of the HD cycle champ. The original samples I have seen in the flesh are the same. This image is the only one I have seen with a split back.

 

[Leigh H]

Here are a couple of fit pics of the '35 Werber B3. Also one with the pig-dog for good measure.
View attachment 449362 View attachment 449363 View attachment 449366 View attachment 449367

Love it!
Who made this?

 

[Blackadder]

I have seen the rmcj and the toyo. I have also seen other premium makers from Europe. However, My favorite model is the original last 50s production of the HD cycle champ. The original samples I have seen in the flesh are the same. This image is the only one I have seen with a split back.



View attachment 449969 View attachment 449970

That is likely a poor alteration.
Looking at the D pocket on the originals, some are angled towards the main zipper while others seem to be parallel. The shape of the pocket also varies.

 

[JMax]

There is a website, that I can’t find right now, that shows pictures of the basic evolution of the HD Champ. I have screenshots somewhere. I imagine different makers and iterations led to the subtle differences, like the Herc D pockets. Let me try to find the screenshots. Lovely jackets, all of them.

 

[photo2u]

The images you share show different production periods of the jacket. I will agree that some early models of the cycling champ were different. Garment makers use patterns to stay consistent with a particular jacket. They might change from year to year. However, the last 50s model of the cycle champs is very much consistent with that particular production years. The d pocket and the orientation of the zip were very much spot on in all the actual jackets (flesh and pictures) I have seen. The one with the split back could have been purposely done this way due to a number of reasons. But could have been a repair as noted on the image. However, very difficult to repair a jacket in that area without losing material and space.
I base my opinions on actual dated American publishings. Some Japanese publish good information. However, they do mistakes from time to time.

 

[photo2u]

There is a website, that I can’t find right now, that shows pictures of the basic evolution of the HD Champ. I have screenshots somewhere. I imagine different makers and iterations led to the subtle differences, like the Herc D pockets. Let me try to find the screenshots. Lovely jackets, all of them.

I remember seeing it. Flight jacket and many other nice things: http://eijucraft.com/vintage-motorcycle-wear/

The site is very nice but with many mistakes. Good resource. Remember, the cycle champ and the cycle king are different jackets. Like the cycle queen my daughter owns.

 

[Blackadder]

The images you share show different production periods of the jacket. I will agree that some early models of the cycling champ were different. Garment makers use patterns to stay consistent with a particular jacket. They might change from year to year. However, the last 50s model of the cycle champs is very much consistent with that particular production years. The d pocket and the orientation of the zip were very much spot on in all the actual jackets (flesh and pictures) I have seen. The one with the split back could have been purposely done this way due to a number of reasons. But could have been a repair as noted on the image. However, very difficult to repair a jacket in that area without losing material and space.
I base my opinions on actual dated American publishings. Some Japanese publish good information. However, they do mistakes from time to time.

Yes the first two and the last two are different period but even the last two you can notice the subtle difference in the pocket shape which I would say is a QC problem.
I doubt that is a repair work. The kidney panel also split into two which indicates that it is more an attempt to slim the jacket.
I am surprised that you have seen the Toyo repro as those are not very common.

 

[Jiaward]

Just received mine back from Dena after a small repair.

 

[mr_lits]

Love it!
Who made this?

Good Wear Leather

 

[photo2u]

View attachment 450200
Just received mine back from Dena after a small repair.

What a beauty. What did Dena repair in this beauty?

 

[Jiaward]

What a beauty. What did Dena repair in this beauty?

Thank you, she had to fix a shoulder seam that had come apart.

 

[ojaw]

Thank you, she had to fix a shoulder seam that had come apart.

So when is this most famous Dena going to start making her own jackets? Seems she is well placed and has a sympathetic eye when it comes to pattern.

 

[Bonasera]

View attachment 450200
Just received mine back from Dena after a small repair.

Cool jacket

My jacket has just came back from repairment as well.
This jacket has no HD label but detachable fur collar.

 

[Jiaward]

Looks good, wish I had the collar.

 

[JMax]

Looks good, wish I had the collar.

JL can make a killer one. Get a grey/white and brown!! Lol. Two is good.

Too much work for me but @photo2u Can help make one. He has a thread.

Maybe Dena could? Not sure.