Edward
Bartender
- Messages
- 25,084
- Location
- London, UK
As others have noted, Aero will be best placed to advise on what is possible.
Also.... don't go *too* short.... bear in mind that this style in Britain was traditionally cut just a little longer than an American-style cross-zip - to do with its racing heritage. The design originates with mimicking the top half of a one-piece leather riding suit as was worn by professional racers by the 50s (two-piece suits came along in large part as more practical for the civilian motorcycling market):
First image 1950s; second image looks to be mid- late 60s judging by the bikes and the boots of the rider in the foreground (also, civilian fashions in the background). This would have been around the time this style of what in GB was referred to as a 'Mandarin collar' jacket became fashionable among riders here. As opposed to the US where American bikes were very much about the sit-up straight, Harley style riding position, a lot of UK bikers even before the era of Japanese racing bikes preferred a crouched-over the tank, racing-style pose when riding. This had a significant influence on jacket design here. See, for example, how Lewis first tried a leather-covered buckle when they introduced the American-styled Bronx jacket in 1956, then from 1957 with the Lightning and subsequent designs went with side-buckles, intended to avoid a front-mounted waist buckle scratching the paint on the tank in a race-influenced riding position. This also led to some jacket designs - most often the 'cafe racer' style - being cut that little bit longer, so that when the rider crouched over the bike they didn't ride up so far as to let in the draft.
The takeaway here being by all means speak to Aero about having the design cut a little shorter to suit your frame, but don't panic that it looks "wrong" if it wears just slightly longer on you than the likes of a Schott Perfecto.
Also.... don't go *too* short.... bear in mind that this style in Britain was traditionally cut just a little longer than an American-style cross-zip - to do with its racing heritage. The design originates with mimicking the top half of a one-piece leather riding suit as was worn by professional racers by the 50s (two-piece suits came along in large part as more practical for the civilian motorcycling market):
First image 1950s; second image looks to be mid- late 60s judging by the bikes and the boots of the rider in the foreground (also, civilian fashions in the background). This would have been around the time this style of what in GB was referred to as a 'Mandarin collar' jacket became fashionable among riders here. As opposed to the US where American bikes were very much about the sit-up straight, Harley style riding position, a lot of UK bikers even before the era of Japanese racing bikes preferred a crouched-over the tank, racing-style pose when riding. This had a significant influence on jacket design here. See, for example, how Lewis first tried a leather-covered buckle when they introduced the American-styled Bronx jacket in 1956, then from 1957 with the Lightning and subsequent designs went with side-buckles, intended to avoid a front-mounted waist buckle scratching the paint on the tank in a race-influenced riding position. This also led to some jacket designs - most often the 'cafe racer' style - being cut that little bit longer, so that when the rider crouched over the bike they didn't ride up so far as to let in the draft.
The takeaway here being by all means speak to Aero about having the design cut a little shorter to suit your frame, but don't panic that it looks "wrong" if it wears just slightly longer on you than the likes of a Schott Perfecto.
