Goldtop England

[Edward]

Just got this response from Goldtop on Facebook re armour:

"We're currently in the process of producing some of our jackets with pockets for armour. It's taken ages for us to get it right so that the armour doesn't stick out and look bulky however we are finally happy. We are starting with some of our other styles (rather than the 1959 and 617), but will eventually be producing those with armour too!"

Long term, I quite fancy both the 1959 and the 617, but I would certainly be open to the more 70s looking ones too, as practical bike jackets. Interestingly, the Bobber model they've recently launched looks a lot like the RSD Clash model, but fasteningb to the man's side. (For some reason, the RSD Clash fastens to what is traditionally the ladies side - or perhaps the designer is a right-handed fencer?)

 

[breezer]

sweaters look awesome!

 

[Edward]

Interesting update: the cross-zip, mandarin-collared 'Brown Bobber' and the Black '72 Cafe Racer' are now listing on the Gold Top website as available with armour in the shoulders/elbows/back.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Did anybody get a Goldtop jacket? What's your opinion?

 

[Edward]

I don't think anyone round here owns one yet, though one of our guys handled one and was impressed. I plan to pick up an armoured 59 model in the Spring. They've reviewed well in Built magazine (retro-custom motorcycles).

 

[Jejupe]

I ordered (and sent back) their waxed tan '76. Sending back wasn't because of quality, but because it was too small for me and their off the rack sizing ends at size 48. This jacket run rather small. I have a 49" chest and I wear 48 in Vanson and 46-48 in Aero but with GT I would have needed 50 or even 52.

Quality and hide are IMHO almost comparable to Schott jackets, which I say as a compliment. Goldtop jackets are good bang for the buck. One thing I disliked was their yellow quilted lining. That would be too hot for me, mostly because I don't ride.

 

[Edward]

Useful to hear. I imagine the quilt lining will come into its own on the back of a bike, though it will limit non-riding wear in warmer climes. Sounds like they're about standard for a mid-market bike jacket now, quality-wise; interesting they compare favourably to Schotts -a Schott 613 or 618 is now chasing well over GBP500 - up to GBP600 in some places, a much higher price than the GTs.

 

[barnabus]

Just for info, Goldtop are soon launching a set of new jacket designs - several of which I find really appealing.

http://www.goldtop.co.uk/jackets

I especially like these two, and could see myself buying this first one:

 

[Peter Bowden]

Nice detailing and good value.Thought at first there were no exterior labels-The cafe racer has the small Gold Top button on the front hem.

 

[Royalcrown32]

I have one of their BSA sweaters and if the quality of their jackets is as good as their sweaters I would say go for it. The sweater is really well made and damn heavy for a sweater..

 

[Edward]

Nice detailing and good value.Thought at first there were no exterior labels-The cafe racer has the small Gold Top button on the front hem.

Interestingly, though, they quickly dropped the sewn-on, embroidered logo label from the jacket exterior, presumably they realsied it was not a popular idea.

 

[Yellowperil]

I have some Goldtop jackets, if anyone is interested I could do a post about each one.

 

[Edward]

I have some Goldtop jackets, if anyone is interested I could do a post about each one.

Yes please! I'd be particularly interested to know whether you ride and if you have gone for the armour option in any of these. The blue quilt lining in the jacket on the right looks nice - was that a special order?

 

[Yellowperil]

Yes, I do ride, I have done since I was sixteen and will do until I am absolutely unable to.
I have a machine that is 50 years old on one side and thirty years old on the other side. (Work that one out.)
I will put some photos and words up later.

 

[Yellowperil]

Ok, so I am unexpectedly at home today recovering from a sudden and very bad migraine attack last night, (seriously, I feel like I have been mugged by both of the Tyson's) I thought I would do a little write up on my Goldtop Jackets.
Please bear in mind, I am not a Tailor, or a Writer, or indeed a Tanner, so you gets wot you is given wiv this review and bloody well like it.
All my jackets have been purchased off ebay.

First off is the 76 Cafe Racer in black

This is the first one I managed to buy after losing out on a Vintage Goldtop and a Goldtop McNicholl, the latter by £2.
As with all of the modern Goldtop jackets the leather is lovely and soft, despite being thick.

The collar is finished in a nice red suede, which looks nice and adds a bit more comfort when one is crouched down behind the clocks trying to get "The ton."
The jacket also has a dropped back, also essential for The racing crouch.

The lining on this is quilted in a gold colour which looks nicer than it sounds, it is also a nod to the heritage of the name.
I am not sure if these photos are coming out in quite the order in which I am posting them and as I am doing this on a tiny tablet with a bruised in head, my concentration ain't great today.
So I am going to post the rest of my text and then post the next photo's.
The armour on all three jackets is Knox Armour and fits nice and comfortably in its own pockets.
The armour doesn't move around once the jacket is on, unlike all the other armoured textile jackets I wear.
The Zip is Aero and I like the little Goldtop button, it is very subtle.
I have put some photo's of some of the stitching up, looks alright to me.
Overall, I am very pleased with the jacket and think it is a good product for a good price.

 

[Yellowperil]

Right, onto the next jacket, the unfortunately named Brown Bobber.

Once again I am just going to write a few words about the jacket and then put the pictures up.

This was another eBay find and like the first jacket had barely been worn.

This jacket has a gold lining like the 76 and also a dropped back, this time quilted.


Once again the Zip is Aero and it has a subtle Goldtop button, I can see why some people don't like branding, I wouldn't personally want to wear a makers name plastered all over a garment, but something like this is no different from my motorcycle having a name written on the petrol tank.

The collar is lined in brown suede on this one.

The shoulders and elbows are both armoured on this on, but although there is a pocket for a back protector, none is fitted.

This is probably my second favourite jacket I own.

 

[Yellowperil]

The third one is the Goldtop 75 Lancer.

This was my latest acquisition, bought just before Christmas, the advert on eBay wasn't great, although it was a nice honest advert, it didn't even mention the makers name. Therefore, nobody bid on it and I got it for the starting price which was way less than half price.
When it arrived I was amazed to find it still had the tags attached and the armour was unfitted and still in its bag.

The main visual feature on this jacket is the flap that fastens over the top of the zip, it really catches the eye.

The lining is blue, as far as I know it is a standard colour on this jacket.
a quilted liner is a real luxury on a leather jacket if you are going to wear it on a bike in this country, because unless it is a heatwave the weather can be a little unpredictable.
The back isn't too long on this jacket, which may be a hindrance to "doing the ton. "
The shoulders are not quilted on this one, but instead have ribs going across.

Again, the zip is Aero and there is a Goldtop button, but this time it is set on the left side.

 

[Yellowperil]

Last, but definitely not least is this vintage Goldtop.

I picked this up again on ebay and I don't know what type of jacket it is or exactly how old it is.
If I had to hazard a guess I would reckon it is from the mid 1970s.

This jacket has the old label on it, with the legend, Styled by Godfrey's printed on it.
Quilting is prevalent on this jacket, both inside and out, although I suspect it would not be a warm jacket to wear.
The lining is black and I have to say although it is not borderline ostentatious like the gold lining on the modern jackets, it is actually borderline dull in this one.

The Zip on this one is by OPTI and it does have the Goldtop button on it, but this time it is placed just above the left outer pocket.

When this jacket arrived the leather was dry and stiff and what you see now is the result of quite a few evenings with a cloth and some Buffalo Conditioning Cream, I think it has come up quite well and shows it's patina off with pride.
The leather isn't exactly as thick or a soft as a contemporary Goldtop, but it is of its time and how I remember leather jackets feeling back in the old days.

I think this jacket will only get used by myself on the bike when the weather is hot, it may be lacking in warmth.

 

[Yamahana]

The back isn't too long on this jacket, which may be a hindrance to "doing the ton. "

What bike are you riding “doing the ton”?

 

[Yellowperil]

The bike I ride will do "The ton" with absolute ease...