Horsehide Cafe Jacket quest

[RedBird]

I’m sure I’m not the only only one obsessed with a specific jacket style.

For me, the classic cafe jacket is my grail, as my father had a few while he was able to ride.

Currently I have a RMC Buco J-100, new style. The craftsmanship and horsehide are beyond excellent. What limits the jacket from being worn more frequently is the shoulder cut. It does not have a swing back, and can be confining.

I’d like to find a Schott P642H, which seemed to sell out quickly, but seemed to have a nicer cut with the roomier shoulder. I’ve browsed the Schott 530, but prefer horsehide, and detest the splitline up the back. My other option may be the Simmons Bilt Cafe, high seems to be a very clean cut.

Does anyone have experience / pics of these jackets? Any A/B comparisons might be good too. And if someone has a P642H, I’d take a L or size 44. (laughs)

 

[photo2u]

I like Reed. The older Reeds are superb for the price, nothing beats brooks. I have seen very few HH café racers. I have two Cals that are nice, but they were "pricey".

 

[AeroFan_07]

I would recommend opening your perspective to Steerhide models. I do not have anything anymore made of Horse and I honestly, do not miss it. In CR's you really do not need or necessarily want a super-heavy, thick or restrictive leather anyway.

 

[Tom71]

Countless opportunities, really:

The Aero CF is pretty great, IMO. Good range of motion in the shoulders/arms, but very tapered. If you can pull it off at the hem, it´s very flattering.
(Not the Board Racer, though, which is as restrictive as the RMC J-100).

Johnson Leathers have a nice CR pattern as well, but not as visually striking as the Aero.

I have not been able to handle it myself, but the Rainbow Country "Speedster" looks super as well.

 

[Hoanglong]

You can check out Schott 641 Xjh, also made of shinki horse leather. Schott 641 XJH are quite popular in Japan. However Schott is not in the same segment as Buco, Schott’s horsehide are not as nice as your Buco.
Try Rainbowcountry or Freewheeler Speedmaster (rare)

 

[Boyo]

What size you wear will also affect your choices, the fact you can wear a Real McCoys tells me you should be able to find a good number of vintage or preowned HH jackets that should fit you well. I always admired the Harley Davidson "sportster" one pocket.. but they don't exist in my size

 

[Jon Crow]

When I was young we had a Goldtop store up in east Yorkshire, I couldn't afford one of their jackets, I see Goldtop have remade the 76 and 68 Cafe jackets

 

[jchance]

I like Reed. The older Reeds are superb for the price, nothing beats brooks.

I’m not into cafe racer, but I’ve read from the forum that Kehoe, Brooks gold label and Reed made the best cafe racers. Kehoe was steerhide. Why spend $1500 if any of these can be had for less than $200?

Harley Davidson AMF cafe racer was made by Brooks gold label.

 

[zebedee]

I second the recommendation not to have a CR in a heavier hide. I have one in fqhh standard weight and it doesn’t really work.

 

[TartuWolf]

I second the recommendation not to have a CR in a heavier hide. I have one in fqhh standard weight and it doesn’t really work.

I love my Aero black fqhh cxl CR but it does work better for layering as that adds padding

 

[zebedee]

I love my Aero black fqhh cxl CR but it does work better for layering as that adds padding

Sorry, I meant steer hide. It is not a jacket that allows much movement (or much food to be eaten).

 

[tamoko]

I have trying different sizes of RMC J-100 and my conclusion.
I am even not bodybuilder have normal hands but RMC J-100 are made extremely tight sleeves I can more easily move even in my 7mm neoprene diving suit.
This isn't about body shape this is a sleeves.
Other I think for Cafferacer RMC used to thick horsehide.
I think it will be just perfectly somewhat like a Eastman horsehide.
I have Buzz Rickson L-2b William Gibson horsehide this will be much better leather choices for J-100.
More smooth and flexible.
Still looking for some one.
Originally was steerhide smooth, make sance.