Lets see those Motorcycle Jackets!

[miglan30]

I don’t own these anymore but here is a small sample of some that I liked.

Simmons Bilt:
View attachment 158483

How did you like that jacket?

 

[ton312]

How did you like that jacket?

It was very, very nice. Incredibly stiff and just an inch shorter than I prefer but it wasn’t custom either. A sale page purchase and if I remember correctly it was kicked around in the classifieds here after I sold it. Not sure where it landed. Nice color though. A browner shade of burgundy.

 

[Motorbass]

Today: Brooks Leather Sportswear, Detroit, Michigan. Cafe Racer, Road Warrior, Model 511. Steerhide. Ca. 1962

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[Gamma68]

Today: Brooks Leather Sportswear, Detroit, Michigan. Cafe Racer, Road Warrior, Model 511. Steerhide. Ca. 1962

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Always like seeing a Brooks. How do you pinpoint the date on your jackets?

 

[Motorbass]

Always like seeing a Brooks. How do you pinpoint the date on your jackets?

There are a couple of hints: label. There are 4 labels: gold embroidered, gold print, red white that says "Made in Detroit" (introduced 1978) and Red White that says "Made in USA" (introduced after Brooks moved out of Detroit - still in use today) The embroidered labels were used from 1959 till 1962, then came the printed labels. This jacket has an embroidered label. Hint 2: The Talon zippers: there is a really good comparative image in the forum that helps dating the Talon Zippers. Hint 3: This jacket has no zipped liner like later models. Lots of evidence for dating. I hope this helped.

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[Gamma68]

There are a couple of hints: label. There are 4 labels: gold embroidered, gold print, red white that says "Made in Detroit" (introduced 1978) and Red White that says "Made in USA" (introduced after Brooks moved out of Detroit - still in use today) The embroidered labels were used from 1959 till 1962, then came the printed labels. This jacket has an embroidered label. Hint 2: The Talon zippers: there is a really good comparative image in the forum that helps dating the Talon Zippers. Hint 3: This jacket has no zipped liner like later models. Lots of evidence for dating. I hope this helped.

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This info is helpful. Could you please post a photo showing the embroidered and print gold labels for comparison?

Still curious to know why your jacket is from 1962 rather than ‘59, ‘60 or ‘61.

From what I recall of the Talon zipper pull info, the “teardrop” is from the 1960s but not more specific.

EDIT: oops I missed the “circa” part before 1962.

 

[Motorbass]

This info is helpful. Could you please post a photo showing the embroidered and print gold labels for comparison?

Still curious to know why your jacket is from 1962 rather than ‘59, ‘60 or ‘61.

From what I recall of the Talon zipper pull info, the “teardrop” is from the 1960s but not more specific.

EDIT: oops I missed the “circa” part before 1962.

One of the reasons why I put the jacket so early in the 60ies is that it has no zipped liner, which became standard later. But it can't be a 59, or 60 because it has a one piece back instead of the older two piece back.

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[Gamma68]

One of the reasons why I put the jacket so early in the 60ies is that it has no zipped liner, which became standard later. But it can't be a 59, or 60 because it has a one piece back instead of the older two piece back.

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You know your Brooks jackets!
Could you please help date mine which is pictured in this post?

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/lets-see-those-motorcycle-jackets.96730/page-4#post-2525111

 

[Motorbass]

These are the three Brooks labels from their Detroit era. From left to right: Gold embroidered, gold printed and Red White.

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[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^^outstanding info!
Thanks

 

[Motorbass]

You know your Brooks jackets!
Could you please help date mine which is pictured in this post?

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/lets-see-those-motorcycle-jackets.96730/page-4#post-2525111

Which post? Can you link it please?

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[Gamma68]

Which post? Can you link it please?

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https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/lets-see-those-motorcycle-jackets.96730/page-4#post-2525111

 

[Motorbass]

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/lets-see-those-motorcycle-jackets.96730/page-4#post-2525111

Does it have a zip liner on the inside? The liner might be missing, but the inside part of the zipper should be sewn on the inside.
(The picture is from a late 70ies model, you get the idea)

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[Gamma68]

Does it have a zip liner on the inside? The liner might be missing, but the inside part of the zipper should be sewn on the inside.
(The picture is from a late 70ies model, you get the idea)

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There is no zip for a lining.

 

[tmitchell59]

There are a couple of hints: label. There are 4 labels: gold embroidered, gold print, red white that says "Made in Detroit" (introduced 1978) and Red White that says "Made in USA" (introduced after Brooks moved out of Detroit - still in use today) The embroidered labels were used from 1959 till 1962, then came the printed labels. This jacket has an embroidered label. Hint 2: The Talon zippers: there is a really good comparative image in the forum that helps dating the Talon Zippers. Hint 3: This jacket has no zipped liner like later models. Lots of evidence for dating. I hope this helped.

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Great information! I had never noticed the differences in the labels. This is my early Brooks. Tear Drop Talons, two piece back, woven label. no markings on the buttons. There is a number faded on the back. It will not show up in these picks.

I've owned several Brooks. This is the earliest.

Do you have an early catalog? Where did you get the model name/information?

 

[tmitchell59]

My current fav. I. Foster Horsehide cafe racer. Early 60s

 

[technovox]

Interesting discussion about Brooks and dating the jacket by the type of label. My Brooks cafe racer was the first one I ever bought, and I've kind of abandoned it in my closet. It's an earlier one with the embroidered gold label, Talon teardrop zips and no zippered lining. Doesn't see much wear...might be time to let it go.

 

[Gamma68]

Notice also that the embroidered Brooks label also uses an italic font (QUALITY WITH STYLE IN LEATHER and DETROIT, MICHIGAN) while the next version of the tag uses standard block letters.

Looking at Terry's and Technovox's jackets, it appears Brooks transitioned back and forth between the one-piece and two-piece back.

I cannot see the main zip pulls on either Terry's or Technovox's Brooks jackets, but mine has that big Talon pull that is cited as 1970s according to the image below, posted in another thread. I believe the Talon "teardrop" pocket pulls are from the 1960s, so it's not clear to me if my jacket is from the 1960s or 1970s. I'm not sure if the date can be further narrowed down.

 

[tmitchell59]

I compare two Brooks. My earliest has a small Talon. The next has the wide Talon. Windflaps and buttons are also different.

 

[Gamma68]

I have a feeling Brooks alternated zip pulls and maybe labels depending on what was on-hand at the moment. Although it makes sense that an embroidered label would indicate an earlier jacket.