My next one is going to be cow. Prob a CHP style. I just think for riding in, Langlitz does it well. I'm sure the aero horse is great on the road too. I just think Langlitz specialises in Functional, high quality mc jackets. Otherwise, send a few pics to Alan and go the over dye in cow.
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Looking for a new Cafe Racer, what am I missing?
- Thread starter pawineguy
- Start date
My next one is going to be cow. Prob a CHP style. I just think for riding in, Langlitz does it well. I'm sure the aero horse is great on the road too. I just think Langlitz specialises in Functional, high quality mc jackets. Otherwise, send a few pics to Alan and go the over dye in cow.
Then maybe a Langlitz Cascade in black cowhide with center zipper that would not overly duplicate your brown goatskin Cascade with offset zipper? I like the specs and clean look of the Crescent, although I realize that is probably not your cup of tea.
nick123
I'll Lock Up
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The Johnson overdye is pretty thick by default. 4oz I think. You can have him shave the hide a little thinner. The 3 or so ounce overdye leather they used in mine was maybe just a tad bit heavier than Aero's FQHH. Johnson also has another steer that's dyed black all the way through.
I got some samples from Alan the other day, he now has a 3.25oz and a 4.25oz
pawineguy
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You realize I'm going to be laying in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about this now... probably until around 3 am.
Chris, check out Cal leather. I've in the middle of doing a pullover( no zip timberline style) with the 6 panel back. The service has been amazing. The leather samples are first class, the pricing is on par or a little less than what you would expect.
technovox
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You might also consider a custom cafe racer by Cal Leathers. I found one about a month ago, a six panel back (from 1960.) The thing is a heavy horsehide beast, with quilted shoulder and elbow pads, tough as nails, and built for riding. And I believe they still do the same design today.
pawineguy
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Thanks guys, I totally forgot about them. I will give that 6 panel a look also.
You are correct. Very, very nice stuff. The leather samples really fed my bulldog. I wish Langlitz had the more natural, earthy Browns available. I'm getting 6 panel back with a 3/4 chest zipper and yolk. I'm just deciding re the padding. The service has been over the top fantastic.
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Steer and fewer panels for riding.
You have to plan for the worst. Less panels and tough hide. Horse may also work but I've never skid down asphalt in it and I have with steer - twice in 42 years of riding.
Like that one above sans the back panels.
Strong zip too - no #5's.
You have to plan for the worst. Less panels and tough hide. Horse may also work but I've never skid down asphalt in it and I have with steer - twice in 42 years of riding.
Like that one above sans the back panels.
Strong zip too - no #5's.
I love my matt black heavy cowhide, they develop nice fat rolls on the sleeves, and keep their shape quite well while never being cardboard like even when new... but that jacket even with my rather small size (my shoulder to shoulder is 42-44cm) and simple thin liner is already around 3kilos.
I still think your black thick aero BR looked cooler than your brown goat on your torso. if you need more freedom on the shoulder just add small shoulder biswing, one size longer sleeve, probably higher/ shorter main zip so you can sit while zipped, a little wind flap with rounded corners and have it made in black heavy cow, just my personal opinion from the photos
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+1 on Cal Leathers.
This. It's leather shirt or nothing for my next purchase. Jackets all look the same anyway, so I made a vow not to buy another one until I land one of these shirts.
This. It's leather shirt or nothing for my next purchase. Jackets all look the same anyway, so I made a vow not to buy another one until I land one of these shirts.
dan_t
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Well, what an envious position to be in!!!
Do share what may be in the 'culling', after all you do have the same size as me :boink:
I'm currently going through a similar thought process as I 'need' a black cafe racer to be completely happy. That will be enough, I'm sure........
I'll be watching the expert opinions on this thread from a somewhat selfish perspective.
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Schott 641XX is still a priority on my CR list. Gift from heavens that jacket is, really. It's the last Cafe Racer of the correct CR design that's still being produced. Exact same pattern they were using in the 60's. Can't really compete with that. Oh, and the sleeves are 26" for a size 42 on this jacket. Possibly longer on a 44, which is what you wear, PG, if I am not mistaken? So as far as I am concerned, this is the only true CR you can still buy new.
After that there's only Cal Leathers for me. These guys used to make leather jackets for the police and that's good enough for me. Padded details add so much to the jacket... Makes it really distinct. Also, horsehide. Stu says horsehide is vastly superior to cowhide and while I don't know if there's any truth in this, I do know however that for a $1000 or more, I don't want a jacket that's made from the same stuff Wilson's selling for $150.
There's also Lost Worlds with their CR but that one's basically a Schott 141 ripoff. Hide must be nice, though...
Did you look into Lewis Leathers?
https://www.lewisleathers.com/productinfo.html?code=jak-443
https://www.lewisleathers.com/productinfo.html?code=Rac442
After that there's only Cal Leathers for me. These guys used to make leather jackets for the police and that's good enough for me. Padded details add so much to the jacket... Makes it really distinct. Also, horsehide. Stu says horsehide is vastly superior to cowhide and while I don't know if there's any truth in this, I do know however that for a $1000 or more, I don't want a jacket that's made from the same stuff Wilson's selling for $150.
There's also Lost Worlds with their CR but that one's basically a Schott 141 ripoff. Hide must be nice, though...
Did you look into Lewis Leathers?
https://www.lewisleathers.com/productinfo.html?code=jak-443
https://www.lewisleathers.com/productinfo.html?code=Rac442
pawineguy
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I agree with just about everything above, and it's one of the reasons that I hesitate to ride in certain jackets, as you don't want a zip or a seam to separate while sliding down the road.
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pawineguy
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Not 100% sure yet, but probably the Thedi Cafe Racer, a Langlitz Columbia and a Fox Creek armored cafe racer with armor installed. Possibly the Vanson Model B also, especially if I buy a heavy cowhide Langlitz as it will be redundant.
pawineguy
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Not really a Lewis fan and I agree on the LW, I'm sure it's well constructed but there is nothing about it that jumps out at me. The 641xx is interesting, but I'd have to find some more dimensions on it as I'd prefer at least 27" sleeves for riding. I'm not sure about the Cal-Leathers design, I have to find some more pictures of it and see if it grows on me.
In the meantime I have emailed some questions to Langlitz to start getting some ideas from them.
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