Sears Motorcylce Jacket History 1949-1963

[roadking04]

Thanks for the input J. I am getting that feature on my JL. Hopefully it wont be that hard to remove and install the belt.

Edit: Your collection keeps getting bigger and better.

 

[Wildhorses]

That’s a good question. I haven’t removed them. Both are original. My best guess— It may take a bit of time and some effort if the belt is flimsy. Easy peasy if it’s a solid belt.

It's absolutely easy to remove and put the belt back. I did remove mine for a cleaner look, but I did put it back,
to get the jacket tighter at bottom hem when closed, these jackets are pretty wide at the bottom.

 

[JMax]

Thanks for the input J. I am getting that feature on my JL. Hopefully it wont be that hard to remove and install the belt.

Edit: Your collection keeps getting bigger and better.

What you got cooking? Sounds interesting.

 

[roadking04]

What you got cooking? Sounds interesting.

I've had a project going with JL since fall of 2019. Original wait time put the project due after the first of the year 2020. Then my work schedule picked up and told Allan I would get ahold of him when things slowed down (about 3 months). Then covid hit...... Project was revisited and was made. Mishaps occurred and JL said they were going to make another one. Then a delay with Horween and getting the overdye (covid related). Now we are on track to get this project completed. Hopefully soon.

I wanted a removable belt for colder riding, but really didn't like the way the 3 loops look in the back. I saw an Aero KOTR jacket and said "that is brilliant." That was the only jacket I had seen with the through belt. I had no idea so many jackets from the past had this feature.

 

[roadking04]

It's absolutely easy to remove and put the belt back. I did remove mine for a cleaner look, but I did put it back,
to get the jacket tighter at bottom hem when closed, these jackets are pretty wide at the bottom.

Thanks for the reassuring insight.

 

[tmitchell59]

Oakbrook Cafe racer. 1960s

 

[JMax]

Ms. Dena working her magic on a few of my jackets. Here is a quick look— touching up the labels on the HH Herc:

Before

After

 

[tmitchell59]

I am not familiar with any Sears branded jacket with this label. I'm quite confident it was made by Appalachian during the late 40s, but did not have a Sears label. Does not look like an Appalachian label either.

The earliest Sears MC jackets have a choice of Wool lining colors including this black and blue/grey. The earliest have the same half-belt back. It has no handwarmer pockets. I was just made aware of early Wool lined Herc labeled jacket with no handwarmers. That jacket also appears to have a tapered belt.

The big surprise is the Goat Skin! Never seen this style in Goat Skin, they have all been Horsehide for the early Sears jackets.

This label is not familiar in script of size.

The Blue is from Bleeding the true color is Black and Grey as seen in the lower left. This came in this color, Red and Black, Green and Black.

Another jacket interior

The Half-belt.

which soon became this

Here is a tip on dating Conmar Zippers. They typically copy the Current Talon of the day. This poor picture should show Conmar down the middle of the stop, with a somewhat square ended zipper pull. This would indicate late 40s. The sleeve zippers are copies of Talons and very popular during the late 40s and 50s.

This Hercules does not have handwarmer pockets and a tapered belt. Note the back is a half-belt design.

Tapered belt on Goat with no handwarmer pockets.

 

[tmitchell59]

This "basket case" is another link in the early Sears MC history even without a Sears label. I have no idea whose label this is.

The Goatskin is most unusual although I have 30s police jackets in Goatskin..never seen it in a Hercules.

 

[tmitchell59]

Early Horsehide wool lined. Needs work, but far from a basket case of the Goatskin. This is how it was presented in a parking lot of a convenience store when I bought it.

 

[JMax]

Doing jacket deals in parking lots outta the back of pick up trucks- classic. Do you send them to Great Leathers to get repaired?

 

[Wildhorses]

The one in goat skin is for collection only. I think it's "dead", the leather can't be repaired at this point.
For the other, if the size is ok, it may be wearable after some work.
I will try to find the goat skin label, the jacket is a rarity.

 

[tmitchell59]

Doing jacket deals in parking lots outta the back of pick up trucks- classic. Do you send them to Great Leathers to get repaired?

That is a classic buy!

One of the very few in person jacket buys I've done. This one started on ebay and ended up in that parking lot about 40 minutes form me. I went to pickup another Hercules and he brought this and a pair of old low rise Motorcylce Boots. I bought them too.

I used to advertise for guitars and scoured the classifieds for years. The searches bore fruit, I just don't have the patience to do it with Leather Jackets. The recent Cool Steerhide Buco came from my home town. They had motorcycles and dealers here back in the day. Jackets are probably out there, but too much junk to sift through.

I will have to publish the video I did on the two I found given they were in the same estate. One is perfect, this one needs some stich work, but it is also a size 46 and feels great on.

Yes, I hope to make it to Dena's before she hangs it up! I've got enough business to keep Great Leathers in business.

 

[tmitchell59]

The one in goat skin is for collection only. I think it's "dead", the leather can't be repaired at this point.
For the other, if the size is ok, it may be wearable after some work.
I will try to find the goat skin label, the jacket is a rarity.

The Goatskin is for Historical purposes and perhaps parts as needed. A wall hanger only, not worthy of restoration.

The Ralphs-Pugh could probably made wearable, but the cost would be prohibitive. As it is, I can use the Cuffs & label on another RP I own. The main zipper is very solid. The body without the sleeves is very solid. Vest?

The Steerhide is very nice where it isn't rotted.

 

[Wildhorses]

The Goatskin is for Historical purposes and perhaps parts as needed. A wall hanger only, not worthy of restoration.

The Ralphs-Pugh could probably made wearable, but the cost would be prohibitive. As it is, I can use the Cuffs & label on another RP I own. The main zipper is very solid. The body without the sleeves is very solid. Vest?

The Steerhide is very nice where it isn't rotted.

I just found some funny custom, for the warmer countries, maybe an idea...

 

[JMax]

I just found some funny custom, for the warmer countries, maybe an idea...

The jacket version of this starts at something like $3500. Not my cup o tea.

 

[Wildhorses]

$500 for the jacket, add $3000 to cut the sleeves...
I would never had such an idea, cut the sleeves in the middle arm. That's not a summer shirt...

 

[Wildhorses]

A mid 50s D-pocket in steerhide, studded, the back has no yoke and attached belt. A transitional model before the D-pocket is removed ?

 

[Wildhorses]

An other well used 50s MC with the true stitched pocket

 

[tmitchell59]

An other well used 50s MC with the true stitched pocket

The jacket above has the "Styled and made in California" slogan.

I just received this one. Looks to be the same jacket without the label. Note these jackets have a inner leather lining at the hem instead of Corduroy. Mine looks to be Steerhide as the ebay jacket does also.

A mid 50s D-pocket in steerhide, studded, the back has no yoke and attached belt. A transitional model before the D-pocket is removed ?

This is an Odd Duck. I don't recall a Hercules with no Back yoke or spots. Of course the spots could have been added, but they look correct.