Vintage (or not) CHP Custom-Made Jacket – Cal or Al?

[Rick Dalton]

Hi FL,

What do you think of this jacket? How much do you think it's worth? Can you tell what year/decade it might be from?

 

[AeroFan_07]

That's an Al's. I have one similar.
Do some searches here and on ebay, you will sort out a reasonable price.

 

[Rick Dalton]

bump

 

[Rick Dalton]

I’m wondering if it might be worth picking up.

Is this one of those really heavy-duty AL builds — maybe even heavier than Vanson competition weight — that some of you have mentioned in the past?

I do prefer the look of the CAL cross-zip, but I haven’t been able to find one in the right size.
That said… does the straight zip seem kind of unremarkable or boring to you by comparison?

Would love to hear your take on this.

 

[Rick Dalton]

Which one would you say is the better jacket overall — this AL straight-zip CHP or a '90s Schott 184SM?

 

[Albe64]

Imho the central zip is surely a better overall jacket, while the cross zip is a faraway better riding jacket...I have 3 CALs, 2 cross and 1 central, and I am pretty sure about my statement.

 

[Albe64]

Which one would you say is the better jacket overall — this AL straight-zip CHP or a '90s Schott 184SM?

No comparison between an artisanal jacket like AL's and a Schott....no way (in my opinion)

 

[photo2u]

In true honesty, I do love those 184s jackets. They are very well-made and practical for many uses. Al's is an excellent copy of the Cals. The Al's are way heavier than most motorcycle cross zips on the market. In average, the Al's are heavier than Cals. Al's leather is a newer type that is easier to wear than Cals. They are an excellent tool when riding. I own both jackets, they serve me in different functions. The 184 can be worn in a casual outfit and I would take it riding as well. If I had a choice of only one jacket, then the 184 is the clear winner.

 

[AeroFan_07]

To lay it out directly, there is one single jacket out there that has caused the popularity of AL's, Cal-Leathers and CHP jackets in general to skyrocket in both value and awareness. That jacket is:

The Freewheeler's Mulholland jacket.

It's a reproduction of an original Straight Zip CHP, it looks quite sharp, however I have never owned one, nor will I ever likely. Why? Simply -the price is over $3400 these days.


A couple personal notes about this style.
- There are already multiple threads on this jacket, do a little reading and you will learn a lot.
- The straight zip models for my torso length are less comfortable to wear than the cross-zip (in heavy leather).
- The fitment issue for me is at the top of the zipper/collar/heavy intersection that makes it seem the jacket is trying to push up your head just a bit.
- I have a straight zip Al's but find I do not wear it as much as my Langlitz models.
- I do not own any Schotts.