Original Buco J-100 . . .what's it worth?

[Gamma68]

I have a Buco J-100 Steerhide jacket that I am thinking of parting with. Bought in 1965, I used it, on and off, until 1969. Can't locate a size, but I was 5'8" and 150# when I wore it. Has the original tag: "Joseph Bugelesen Co. Southfield Michigan". Hung in a closet for 50 years until just recently, when I had the leather refurbished and a new front zipper installed. All other [original] zippers are in place and functioning. Only flaws are a 1" tear in the silk lining near the neck, and a "Skydiving" patch glued onto the left breast pocket. Surface shows NO signs of cracking, and it NEVER hit the pavement with me inside of it. Essentially, it has the appearance of a new jacket.

PM sent.

 

[Camaro1967]

I'm late to this conversation, so sorry for resurrecting an old thread. But does anyone have any good leads for attaining a period correct Buco label?

I got a vintage Buco J100 without a label and I've been tinkering with the idea of adding one. I actually don't know if it's steerhide or horsehide, but Allan at Johnson Leathers was telling me he thought what I had was a 1940s version. Anyway, while I don't ever plan to sell it, and I realize adding the label would only be for my benefit, but...

Also, anyone know if the label was different in the 40s and 50s vs the 60s and 70s? I've seen different labels for MKS, and American Safety, but other than that, the only difference I could identify was the classic logo in yellow cursive contrasted in black accompanied by either an image of a horse or steer to indicate the type of leather.

Last I could find, John Chapman was selling one new for $300, but that seemed too rich for my blood.

 

[Blackadder]

I'm late to this conversation, so sorry for resurrecting an old thread. But does anyone have any good leads for attaining a period correct Buco label?

I got a vintage Buco J100 without a label and I've been tinkering with the idea of adding one. I actually don't know if it's steerhide or horsehide, but Allan at Johnson Leathers was telling me he thought what I had was a 1940s version. Anyway, while I don't ever plan to sell it, and I realize adding the label would only be for my benefit, but...

Also, anyone know if the label was different in the 40s and 50s vs the 60s and 70s? I've seen different labels for MKS, and American Safety, but other than that, the only difference I could identify was the classic logo in yellow cursive contrasted in black accompanied by either an image of a horse or steer to indicate the type of leather.

Last I could find, John Chapman was selling one new for $300, but that seemed too rich for my blood.

Keyword search original Buco J-21/22, JH-1 etc or better yet buy the Lightning special edition or this book below.
https://dieworkwear.com/post/78763031353/the-golden-age-of-motorcycle-jackets
I think that the J-100 first came out in the 50s. Earliest model was the JH-1 in the 40s with the Red logo white background. Then the J-double digits and triple digits in the 50s. But I may be wrong.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Keyword search original Buco J-21/22, JH-1 etc or better yet buy the Lightning special edition or this book below.
https://dieworkwear.com/post/78763031353/the-golden-age-of-motorcycle-jackets
I think that the J-100 first came out in the 50s. Earliest model was the JH-1 in the 40s with the Red logo white background. Then the J-double digits and triple digits in the 50s. But I may be wrong.

Great read. Thanks.
B

 

[Orenimios]

I share my Buco J100....one of the most amazing i’ve ever seen...enjoy

 

[Will Zach]

That is pretty wild like different panels aged differently. I see something like that in my HD Sportster, but not to that extent.

 

[Camaro1967]

Love the patina on that piece Orenimios. Thanks for sharing. Mine doesn't have anywhere near that level of patina. Makes me wonder whether the batches used for these jackets varied widely and or you just wore the piss out of your jacket.

 

[Orenimios]

Love the patina on that piece Orenimios. Thanks for sharing. Mine doesn't have anywhere near that level of patina. Makes me wonder whether the batches used for these jackets varied widely and or you just wore the piss out of your jacket.

Hey Thanks! I bought it in a RRL store in NY, it had that patina already...i guess the 1960s owner gave it lot of use....but yes the back lower panel is literally with no black paint

 

[jonbuilder]

I'm late to this conversation, so sorry for resurrecting an old thread. But does anyone have any good leads for attaining a period correct Buco label?

I got a vintage Buco J100 without a label and I've been tinkering with the idea of adding one. I actually don't know if it's steerhide or horsehide, but Allan at Johnson Leathers was telling me he thought what I had was a 1940s version. Anyway, while I don't ever plan to sell it, and I realize adding the label would only be for my benefit, but...

Also, anyone know if the label was different in the 40s and 50s vs the 60s and 70s? I've seen different labels for MKS, and American Safety, but other than that, the only difference I could identify was the classic logo in yellow cursive contrasted in black accompanied by either an image of a horse or steer to indicate the type of leather.

Last I could find, John Chapman was selling one new for $300, but that seemed too rich for my blood.

Might try Aero or Real Mcoy they both have rights to the label reproductioned

 

[jonbuilder]

Back to the value, it seems to me the price of a Buco J-100 is not drawing what they were a couple of years ago

 

[handymike]

Hey Thanks! I bought it in a RRL store in NY, it had that patina already...i guess the 1960s owner gave it lot of use....but yes the back lower panel is literally with no black paint

Beautiful jacket, but it must have cost you a small fortune!

 

[Camaro1967]

Hey Thanks! I bought it in a RRL store in NY, it had that patina already...i guess the 1960s owner gave it lot of use....but yes the back lower panel is literally with no black paint

Ah ok, whoever wore it then before you, it must have been on them 24/7 to create that effect.

Might try Aero or Real Mcoy they both have rights to the label reproductioned

I may just do that, thanks. I was hoping I could find a label roughly the same age as the jacket but it seems like an odd thing to find anywhere. Supposedly these pop up on the bay once in a while but it may be easier and cheaper to get the repro label.

 

[Orenimios]

Beautiful jacket, but it must have cost you a small fortune!

$2000 some years ago, i know its too much, but never found a patina like that

 

[Camaro1967]

So I wanted to get the opinions of those in the know...

I've been trying to track down a few label makers to see what it would cost to make one Buco steerhide label. And if I settle for some decent knockoff version from a factory in China, I can get a 1,000 made for $90. Obviously I don't need that many.

I found a few others and are still waiting to hear back from a few leads some of you already offered. But one person in particular told me, "we can make a Buco steerhide label but it wouldn't be worth the cost to make since everyone prefers horsehide to steerhide."

That comment made me wonder, in what context? From a repro jacket perspective? From a vintage jacket perspective? From a jacket collector or enthusiast perspective? And whatever the case may be, how does that play out in terms of the value of a vintage Buco jacket? Are folks shelling out more for horsehide vs steerhide? If so, why?

 

[BootsNLA]

I paid $600 for my J 100 size 46 15 years ago...

I would totally agree with you I buy Bucos and sell to people who have never heard of Buco they come in immediately fall in love and buy one and it looks great on them!

 

[BootsNLA]

So I wanted to get the opinions of those in the know...

I've been trying to track down a few label makers to see what it would cost to make one Buco steerhide label. And if I settle for some decent knockoff version from a factory in China, I can get a 1,000 made for $90. Obviously I don't need that many.

I found a few others and are still waiting to hear back from a few leads some of you already offered. But one person in particular told me, "we can make a Buco steerhide label but it wouldn't be worth the cost to make since everyone prefers horsehide to steerhide."

That comment made me wonder, in what context? From a repro jacket perspective? From a vintage jacket perspective? From a jacket collector or enthusiast perspective? And whatever the case may be, how does that play out in terms of the value of a vintage Buco jacket? Are folks shelling out more for horsehide vs steerhide? If so, why?

I have bought several leather pants that I used to restore leather jackets and they have that book or label so if you need a label I would be open to selling one

 

[Will Zach]

You might have better luck in the Classifieds. Someone might need a Buco label.