Harley Davidson MC jacket: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

[tmitchell59]

Yes, this jacket has all three. I'll start with the Good. Pictures tell the story.

Good:

The jacket has a high Cool factor! Check the pics. I don't know the model, but don't think many of them show up. I need to learn some basics of HD vintage jackets. I was always a HD Cycle Champ Chaser. The Added Spots are Spot on and give the jacket the Authentic Vintage MC jacket look of the 1950s. It is Real and not a Retro creation. I figure the jacket dates not later than 1955 given it is Horsehide. No telling when the Spots were added.

The Back I thought had issues, does not.
All the Zippers work, although the main Zip has been replaced.
Shoulders are good, The Collar is Solid with minimal wear.
The label is there. Lining is complete, needs some stitching.

The Jacket is Very Restorable and a most Worthy candidate.
More on this as we go along.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Wow! Looks so much nicer than the ebay photos showed it to be.

Quite the collectible treasure there, has quite the story all it's own.

Does it fit you, Terry?

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

yeah, was going to say, you really cleaned that sucker up. There's so many jackets I just like looking at. I don't think I could pull off this look, but I can still appreciate it.

 

[JMax]

One of my favorite jackets. Always looking for one in my size that isn’t being sold for $1000+. Very cool.

 

[tmitchell59]

Wow! Looks so much nicer than the ebay photos showed it to be.

Quite the collectible treasure there, has quite the story all it's own.

Does it fit you, Terry?

Yes, I just put some Pecards on it to give it some color. It does not fit me. I did not think it would, so as expected. I thought it would be a bigger, but it is around a 38?

 

[tmitchell59]

There's so many jackets I just like looking at. I don't think I could pull off this look, but I can still appreciate it.

Yes, as is a nice display. I've thought about creating a traveling display for MC dealers, not for sale, but just promoting the shop. This would be an obvious jacket for a HD dealer!

 

[tmitchell59]

One of my favorite jackets. Always looking for one in my size that isn’t being sold for $1000+. Very cool.

This model has got me wanting one too. This one will not work due to size. If it fit me I would restore it without questions, since it doesn't fit I may leave that to another.

I do have a plan of sorts.

I don't know the model name?

THE UGLY:

The sleeves are Toast! They will need to replaced for the most part. Both sleeves zippers work. The shoulders, yoke, and main body are worthy of new sleeves.


The zipper has been replaced with a Talon surplus. I would not mess with it. It works and looks correct except the stitching.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Ok that's a lot clearer now. Dena could work some magic on those sleeves -- but likely taking a donar jacket [part out another one for the black horsehide] and make this into a really nice piece. But I think your idea is best -- hang it on a wall at a place where this is the vibe.

With those dimensions, many folks could never get it on. But @dannyk might really like it.

I put a Guide Master Wolf jacket from the '50's on the wall at Fontenelle Supply Company in Des Moines for a display piece a couple years back. I know & trust the owners, and they were all about a nice vintage perfecto-style jacket on thier wall to go with the vintage motorcycles they ride. About a month later a dude came in and asked about it -- and offered them some cash for it. They called me and I said "sure - sell it to him" He apparently restored it and now wears it on his bike. So you just never know.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Was the chain on the shoulder an original thing? One of the coolest HD jackets I’ve seen.

 

[tmitchell59]

Harley Meets Hercules

 

[tmitchell59]

Ok that's a lot clearer now. Dena could work some magic on those sleeves -- but likely taking a donar jacket [part out another one for the black horsehide] and make this into a really nice piece. But I think your idea is best -- hang it on a wall at a place where this is the vibe.

With those dimensions, many folks could never get it on.

Yes from beginning to end. I do have an excellent Sleeve Donor, but don't know if I could use that one. I actually just bought a donor jacket for the jacket Sleeve Donor I would use! If this HD fit me I would look into it. I just displayed it on a form and it really looks Good, the Sleeves are not noticeable. Your comment about size makes me want to keep it for display.

I have hatched a Plan in my head. Take the jacket to Dena's Great Leathers and her do an estimate and discuss how she would approach such a task. I lot of the Folks her know her through her work. She is Great in Person too! I've threatened to do this before and then there was covid. I think I could arrange this outing, just so Hot here. I will contact her about this one.

 

[JMax]

@tmitchell59 the model is pictured in Tanaka’s book and the lightning book. I am on the road so can’t check my copies. Cycle Champ? I believe the Cycle King/Queen is the one with the two patch pockets. I should know this.

 

[JMax]

Yes from beginning to end. I do have an excellent Sleeve Donor, but don't know if I could use that one. I actually just bought a donor jacket for the jacket Sleeve Donor I would use! If this HD fit me I would look into it. I just displayed it on a form and it really looks Good, the Sleeves are not noticeable. Your comment about size makes me want to keep it for display.

I have hatched a Plan in my head. Take the jacket to Dena's Great Leathers and her do an estimate and discuss how she would approach such a task. I lot of the Folks her know her through her work. She is Great in Person too! I've threatened to do this before and then there was covid. I think I could arrange this outing, just so Hot here. I will contact her about this one.

Dena just shipped back my All Weather, Fidelity and a Herc. She is great.

 

[tmitchell59]

Was the chain on the shoulder an original thing? One of the coolest HD jackets I’ve seen.

The Arm should go through the Chain. I didn't even notice when I did those pictures.

Someone will have to explain the Chain to me. The Chain probably came with the Spot work. Yeah it was done in the 50s. I've seen Buco Spots in their accessory catalog.

It is a very cool jacket, just the right amount of Fancy work. Very tasteful. Bling can become Blang when over done.

 

[tmitchell59]

@tmitchell59 the model is pictured in Tanaka’s book and the lightning book. I am on the road so can’t check my copies. Cycle Champ? I believe the Cycle King/Queen is the one with the two patch pockets. I should know this.

Yes, we both should know this. I did some research when I had the Early Queen, but there is so much out there when you use the HD name it overwhelming.

Anyway this should help, came in a search got an offer ten minutes ago and bought it. I did not know he did a Harley Book. I have his Schott book and two other hardbacks. This jacket will be discussed. I have not looked in my current books. I would guess it is in there.

I have seen a 30s Vintage Harley sweater with the name of our local Dealer. That would be a find. I talked to the picker who came through town and bought it.

 

[Marc mndt]

@tmitchell59 the model is pictured in Tanaka’s book and the lightning book. I am on the road so can’t check my copies. Cycle Champ? I believe the Cycle King/Queen is the one with the two patch pockets. I should know this.

 

[JMax]

View attachment 356731 View attachment 356732

I did know this!! Ha, thanks bud.

 

[oneterrifichog]

Yes, as is a nice display. I've thought about creating a traveling display for MC dealers, not for sale, but just promoting the shop. This would be an obvious jacket for a HD dealer!

Or "Wheels Through Time" in North Carolina. They have some pretty cool jackets there but nothing on this order. Nice Jacket

 

[Corky Corcovado]

I came across a Harley jacket that was a repro of an older model, looked like a Centenalia, double breasted look with buttons and such. I’ve not been able to find one again, dude wanted $1200. It looked awesome and fit too (at the time).

 

[Canuck Panda]