Out of curiosity I put your question into a search. There is always a budget end of every market, except perhaps land & property. My enquiry came up with this company.
My custom JL was in fact more costly than a new Aero....
Me too! This was my first, and most expensive, custom leather jacket. JL's stock offerings are priced pretty reasonably but they are still north of $500.00
I completely agree. For around $500.00 Aero has some very tasty offerings on the secondary market. I've been checking it out at least a couple of times a week for the last eight or nine years. I'd either deal with them or with Thurston Bros., but I'd still like to see what Johnson could do for that kind of money. My experience of life has been that everything I've ever really wanted is always just that little bit more than I thought I could afford. If you want it badly enough, you just tell yourself you'll cut back on something else. And then you splurge and don't cut back on anything.
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style. 
Absolutely true...All things are indeed possible with Alan and he's an absolute treasure and a treat to work with.JL might be relatively expensive but craftsmanship is precise, have the best quality horsehides and there is almost no request that they can not fulfill. Alan is very communicative and helpful. He promptly replies all the questions and waiting time is in reasonable limits. Worth every penny. You should not be rich enough to buy cheap stuff.
I think they did indeed Nick...but it's only fair. They should be at the same price point as all the favored makers here.
