70s? 80's Aero motorcycle jacket.. Bay auction win

[A.D.]

Hi everyone,
this is my second try on an Aero Jacket, the first one I bought was crazy short for my taste. Now I won this in an auction, and hope that it will fit. I think I might have made a bargain. Condition of leather and tartan lining is awesome according to the pictures and the description. Not my favourite style, but I hope to get away with it for casual wear, as I don't ride motorbikes very often... what do you think? Would love to hear your opinion on the jacket... will try to post pictures, or the link.

http://m.ebay.at/itm/AERO-PERFECTO-LEATHER-BIKER-JACKET-size-M-/112493713866?

 

[A.D.]

If it won't fit_ I might consider to pass it on.
So keep your eyes open

 

[Plumbline]

In my experience (and I've had a few (read half a dozen or so) of these 90's Aero bike jackets .. the labeling is a decent pointer) ..... the one issue is that the sizing was all over the place generally ( I've had 2 x 42's one fitted like a 46" in the sleeve and shoulder but a 38" in the waist the other fitted like a 38" all over). Go by the measurements rather than the tag and be wary of the chest - waist drop which was quite severe in these and also that the sleeves were quite wide in the shoulder and bicep area particularly... I think they were made for weightlifters .

Unusual to have the leather covered buckle which was a "Barnstormer" feature .. the bike jackets typically had the brass buckle ( though it could be a retrofit or a specific customization given the nickel eyelets on the belt which were typically brass to match the other hardware)

Great jackets though, this is how leather should age ... wear it well.

 

[Fanch]

At that price point I cannot envision your losing money on that Aero jacket if it doesn't fit.

 

[CRAZYBUBBA]

Agreed. Nice pickup!

At that price point I cannot envision your losing money on that Aero jacket if it doesn't fit.

 

[A.D.]

In my experience (and I've had a few (read half a dozen or so) of these 90's Aero bike jackets .. the labeling is a decent pointer) ..... the one issue is that the sizing was all over the place generally ( I've had 2 x 42's one fitted like a 46" in the sleeve and shoulder but a 38" in the waist the other fitted like a 38" all over). Go by the measurements rather than the tag and be wary of the chest - waist drop which was quite severe in these and also that the sleeves were quite wide in the shoulder and bicep area particularly... I think they were made for weightlifters .

Unusual to have the leather covered buckle which was a "Barnstormer" feature .. the bike jackets typically had the brass buckle ( though it could be a retrofit or a specific customization given the nickel eyelets on the belt which were typically brass to match the other hardware)

Great jackets though, this is how leather should age ... wear it well.

LOL @ made for weightlifters maybe I'll have to train hard so that it will fit
The belt buckle I noticed as well... maybe it was a customised jacket, the red tartan is also uncommon... they mostly used black cotton drill, I think.

 

[A.D.]

At that price point I cannot envision your losing money on that Aero jacket if it doesn't fit.

I don't think I'd lose money on it either... I didn't on the last one... and the price and described condition was the no. 1 reason to buy it, number 2 is a high chance it's going to fit.

 

[Edward]

Nice score, not a bad price. Definitely not a 70s jacket - the Aero brand wasn't used by Ken until 1983, if memory serves; that label is much more recent. Aero could give you a rough date based on that.

The leather-covered bucking is an interesting notion - maybe it was originally ordered by someone inspired by the old Brit rocker jackets..... specifically the Lewis Bronx. The Bronx had a leather covered buckle by design, inspired by the fact that the majority of British Rockers adopted a crouched riding position which made the belt buckle on American style lancer front biker jackets liable to scratch the tank. Covering the buckle in leather on the Bronx helped this (also the reason so many British jackets had side buckles instead of a front belt) - also the fact that there is no pin on a Bronx belt, it just slides through:

The belt on this Aero still has the pin, of course, so its functionality in that regard is limited, but it could still be cosmetically inspired by the Lewis.

As to the fit, watch for the waist. A lot of these jackets are roomy on the shoulders but surprisingly tight on the waist. I've also encountered that on ELC D pockets and others. It was, of course, how a lot of jacket really did fit back in the day (you'll see it a lot in the jackets worn by the BRMC in The Wild One.

 

[A.D.]

Nice score, not a bad price. Definitely not a 70s jacket - the Aero brand wasn't used by Ken until 1983, if memory serves; that label is much more recent. Aero could give you a rough date based on that.

The leather-covered bucking is an interesting notion - maybe it was originally ordered by someone inspired by the old Brit rocker jackets..... specifically the Lewis Bronx. The Bronx had a leather covered buckle by design, inspired by the fact that the majority of British Rockers adopted a crouched riding position which made the belt buckle on American style lancer front biker jackets liable to scratch the tank. Covering the buckle in leather on the Bronx helped this (also the reason so many British jackets had side buckles instead of a front belt) - also the fact that there is no pin on a Bronx belt, it just slides through:

The belt on this Aero still has the pin, of course, so its functionality in that regard is limited, but it could still be cosmetically inspired by the Lewis.

As to the fit, watch for the waist. A lot of these jackets are roomy on the shoulders but surprisingly tight on the waist. I've also encountered that on ELC D pockets and others. It was, of course, how a lot of jacket really did fit back in the day (you'll see it a lot in the jackets worn by the BRMC in The Wild One.

Thanks for your informative answer! I thought already that the jacket must be late 80ies or early 90ies, I read somewhere in the forums here that the logo was created in 87 from a design on an oil can.

 

[l0fielectronic]

Thanks for your informative answer! I thought already that the jacket must be late 80ies or early 90ies, I read somewhere in the forums here that the logo was created in 87 from a design on an oil can.

Yes the labels and descriptions are listed on here, http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-labels.88549/ though alas the images are lost to Photobucket.