Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[Mandarin]

^^^ It's exceptional resistance to abrasion makes it particularly suitable for MC garments .

 

[Schambach]

Yeah I've read that book a couple of times now....lol and I have read Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger. Barger and other Angels have taken exception to many of HST's......interpretations of life as a Hell's Angel. Barger takes time to point out what issues he has with Thompson's book. As I recall, in his book, HST saw an Angel slap his "Old Lady" OR his dog around. Maybe both?? Anyway, Thompson sees this and says something smart ass along the lines of "Only cowards beat their women and kick their dogs!" and I think these were guys he didn't even know. Alas, an asskicking commenced and he says he woulda been beaten to death if the guys he DID know didn't intervene.

Yeah, I wouldn't talk SH*T to a Biker......Unless I have had a few beers and am say, 50 to 100 feet away but even then.....

The angels are criminals, and have a long history of beating women,and anyone else that crosses them. This isn't a stretch on Thompsons part. I've got some firsthand experience with the now defunct 3rd street clubhouse in NYC, they aren't nice folks. The current romanticization of them, and outlaw mc culture in general, is pretty sad.

 

[handymike]

My wife’s cousin is involved...not good.

 

[Kubatu]

$300 Lost Worlds HH trucker, size 36. Probably around $400 total with shipping. They cost $1500 new now, so still a solid discount. Grain looks nice.

https://zenmarket.jp/en/auction.aspx?itemCode=h570215252

 

[photo2u]

This Buco is rotting across the back yoke. I don't even like the looks of the D pocket shot. This jacket is Crisp, a Parts jacket to me. There are wearable Bucos out there. They are not rare. The Patchs are horrible, looks like an imitation of a "Biker" jacket.

I'm thinking Steerhide due to the deterioration of the leather. Buco Horsehide seems to hold up better than their Steerhide.

The seller is not hiding the Rot, the cracking is mentioned a pictured. You can see it on the upper sleeves too. I don't even think there is much decent leather on that jacket. Zippers, Snaps, Belt loops, label, etc. for parts. not worthy of restoration.

I will disagree with you in this one. This jacket has many uses. There are people who do not have the bankroll to purchase some items at their market value. My friend is one of those people. He saw the jacket and believed he can make a decent wearer at of it. This local friend of actually has the jacket. I also have seen it in the flesh. He is a leather expert that worked in the leather industry for more than 50 years with some years at Flight Suits LTD and San Diego leather company. He is a very well-known old timer who did repairing and tailoring G-1 for some fly boys. He loves this design and at this moment he is using his skills to restore it. He actually makes his own leather balm that works very well. Something similar to skidmore's or perhaps the very same. I have tried his and skidmore's. To me, they are both the same. However, when you use his recipe you get about 5.5 lbs more material for the same price as a pint of skidmore's. Do not get me wrong, skidmore is great product! I used it long ago BUT, I just recently got re acquainted with it. A forum member mentioned this product to me. Skidmore is a good value for their gallon container. I will post the before and after images of this jacket if the owner does not have any objections.

 

[handymike]

This is an interesting take on zipper replacement, just do some Snaps! I would buy this jacket if it was a bit larger. An interesting design and I even like the Button closure.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154574442680

Ok...this jacket has now jumped from $99 to $175 !!!!!
I’ve sent 3 emails asking for measurements without response, but I was offered a price of $97 in an offer...
It is completely messed up in my opinion, but for the right price, I would love to have it as a pattern for 5 star....without the hideous snaps...the original jacket is one of my favorite designs for a cross-zip.

 

[tmitchell59]

I will post the before and after images of this jacket if the owner does not have any objections.

I would like to see the before and after pics.

I also have seen it in the flesh

Ok, how did it look and feel? Looks very crisp in the sale pics I pictured.

 

[photo2u]

It not bad. I have seen much worst. My friend and I came out with a plan to restore this jacket.
After the removal of the patches, chain and main zip, the inside lining was review. Tag and fabric are in EXCELLENT condition Not a single tear on the jacket. However, somehow there is discoloration on two side only. Maybe they used a different color fabric? I have 3 j24 and one j21 They tend to turn reddish? When fading takes place.
This is what we done so far.
1. Dry-clean with two different big shoe shine horse hairbrushes.
2. Dry-clean ox-hair 2" paint brushes to get in to all the hard to reach area.
3. Very “foamy” quick clean and dry of saddle soap one panel at a time.
4. Heavy glycerin conditioning.
5. Leather conditioning the George's way. (Hang in a sealed trash bag in the Hot attic for two days) using a conditioner similar to

In two or three days later, I plan to do the following:

By hand, I will reinstall zipper with period correct NOS Talon #5. Also, this jacket is a big 40. He is more like a 38? I will also be fabricating a collar. I got my hand on some 60s DOT snaps. No United brand, but they do look like the originals.

Lastly, The jacket is a horsehide.

 

[tmitchell59]

It not bad. I have seen much worst. My friend and I came out with a plan to restore this jacket.
After the removal of the patches, chain and main zip, the inside lining was review. Tag and fabric are in EXCELLENT condition Not a single tear on the jacket. However, somehow the is discoloration on two side only. Maybe they used a different color fabric? I have 3 j24 and one j21 They tend to turn reddish? When fading takes place.
This is what we done so far.
1. Dry-clean with two different big shoe shine horse hairbrushes.
2. Dry-clean ox-hair 2" paint brushes to get in to all the hard to reach area.
3. Very “foamy” quick clean and dry of saddle soap one panel at a time.
4. Heavy glycerin conditioning.
5. Leather conditioning the George's way. (Hang in a sealed trash bag in the Hot attic for two days)

In two or three days later, I plan to do the following:

By hand, I will reinstall zipper with period correct NOS Talon #5. Also, this jacket is a big 40. He is more like a 38? I will also be fabricating a collar. I got my hand on some 60s DOT snaps. No United brand, but they do look like the originals.

Lastly, The jacket is a horsehide.

I am interested in this process. You should do a video. I can put it on my youtube channel. I had a question today about conditioning video. This sounds like a restoration.

Will this process get into the leather and create a bond?

 

[tmitchell59]

Ok...this jacket has now jumped from $99 to $175 !!!!!
I’ve sent 3 emails asking for measurements without response, but I was offered a price of $97 in an offer...

I could not send a message to the last seller I bought from. That came from ebay. The Jacket was shipped promptly and will be here tomorrow. I quite sure the whole auction was poison to many, no one else bid.

Playing games with the price like that does just what you said,.

 

[Craig from Craigslist]

Hercules A2 $215 BIN:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274918293958?hash=item40026841c6:g:slEAAOSwEHZhJIGv

 

[photo2u]

I am interested in this process. You should do a video. I can put it on my youtube channel. I had a question today about conditioning video. This sounds like a restoration.

Will this process get into the leather and create a bond?

Hi Terry, Using glycerin is to hydrate the hide. When I restore cordovan and calf skin shoes I use a soft cotton fabric remints soak in a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part glycerin. I then cover shoes with cotton soak fabric complete covering all of the shoes. The shoes are place in a plastic bag to keep the cotton from drying too fast. This allows the leather to soak in the solution from the cotton remints slowly. I have found that water and saddle soap can sometimes stiff up the leather if the leather soaks in the water because it was not quickly wipe off. This is a common mistake when saddle soap stay in the leather for a longer period of time and needed.
I have been contemplating making a review video but I am too shy to step in front of the camera. LOL.

 

[Monitor]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124858430988

 

[Monitor]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114948441564?hash=item1ac37605dc:g:f58AAOSw265hIivd

 

[Will Zach]

Anybody on TFL named Cole?
Mint Brooks, 44.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1248721303...,osub=osub,crd=crd,segname=segname,chnl=mkcid

 

[handymike]

There used to be a guy...

 

[alish]

Hi Terry, Using glycerin is to hydrate the hide. When I restore cordovan and calf skin shoes I use a soft cotton fabric remints soak in a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part glycerin. I then cover shoes with cotton soak fabric complete covering all of the shoes. The shoes are place in a plastic bag to keep the cotton from drying too fast. This allows the leather to soak in the solution from the cotton remints slowly. I have found that water and saddle soap can sometimes stiff up the leather if the leather soaks in the water because it was not quickly wipe off. This is a common mistake when saddle soap stay in the leather for a longer period of time and needed.
I have been contemplating making a review video but I am too shy to step in front of the camera. LOL.

You could always just be off camera speaking as you demonstrate the process. Or do a voiceover in post-production. I think there's a lot of interest in out there on how to restore compromised leather since there are a lot of jackets, shoes, boots, bags... out there that look questionable (crispy looking leather). There was a 40s HH jacket I was watching for a while on ebay. It looked to be in quite good condition except the leather on the right forearm was clearly not right - guessing that it maybe had gotten soaked and then dried - looked rigid and deformed. Knowing if something like that could be saved, and how to best go about it would be so helpful!!! Something to consider. Thanks for sharing about your process on here!!

 

[Leather Walker]

Al's Leather under "Leather Man" tag, 23" p2p, opening bid at $199. https://www.ebay.com/itm/174911863432

 

[tmitchell59]

You could always just be off camera speaking as you demonstrate the process. Or do a voiceover in post-production. I think there's a lot of interest in out there on how to restore compromised leather since there are a lot of jackets, shoes, boots, bags... out there that look questionable (crispy looking leather)

Well said.

 

[handymike]

@photo2u, if you need some help I’m not too far from you.