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Anyone replace their Aero Cafe Racer Zipper with a #10 zip?

GW KY

Practically Family
Messages
658
I just grabbed a used aero cafe racer and the zipper is as usual too small.

I'm gonna see if Dena at great leather will swap it for a bigger zipper and remove the wind guard as well.

The #5 cannot hold up to heavy leather and feels flimsy, agreed.

Cheers
 

VR46

Familiar Face
Messages
71
I had LeatherCareUSA put a #8 YKK metal zipper on a heavy steerhide Aero. The original zipper had gotten messed up down at the cloth part of the bottom of the zipper where you start it. This was a few years ago. It's so much easier to zip now, very happy with it. I think it was about $85 plus shipping.
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,444
Location
South of Nashville
For a Cafe Racer, I think I would go with a #8 as a compromise. Should be plenty sturdy and not as clunky as a #10, although I like the #10 as a replacement for the other Aero offerings. A RIRI would be a good choice.
 

GW KY

Practically Family
Messages
658
For a Cafe Racer, I think I would go with a #8 as a compromise. Should be plenty sturdy and not as clunky as a #10, although I like the #10 as a replacement for the other Aero offerings. A RIRI would be a good choice.
Great thanks, good idea
 

photo2u

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,347
Location
claremont california
One of my most iconic and favorite Californian first production CR still has the original #10 mili conmar. Love the look and love the design. Many details in this CR that sadly none of the other makers ever reproduced. Cal was ahead of the game.
 

navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,840
Location
East Java
I guess it has to do with the size of the jacket too, perhaps size #10 zip might workon size 42 jacket visually but would be overwhelming for size 36, I never have #5 ykk fails on me, but #8 would still work on my size visually depending on the shape of its slide puller too, personally I like paperclip puller or D ring puller and leather tab as they naturally hang and not sticking out at weird angle in the case of slanted positioned zip.
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,444
Location
South of Nashville
I guess it has to do with the size of the jacket too, perhaps size #10 zip might workon size 42 jacket visually but would be overwhelming for size 36, I never have #5 ykk fails on me, but #8 would still work on my size visually depending on the shape of its slide puller too, personally I like paperclip puller or D ring puller and leather tab as they naturally hang and not sticking out at weird angle in the case of slanted positioned zip.
A #8 zipper is a good compromise for the smaller size jackets, perhaps 38 and below. My original zipper on my size 42 Sheene failed within the first year, * and I had Allan replace it. I was going to get a #8, but he said it needed a #10. So, that's what he put on it. Have had no problems since–and don't anticipate any.
_______
* In defense of the zipper, it was installed incorrectly, as pointed out by @Worf several years ago. Don't know how long it would have lasted had it been done properly.
 

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