Thurston Bros. - Official Affiliate Thread

[Carrie @ Thurston Bros.]

That brown leather is really nice, but any time you have seams and smaller pieces of leather sewn together where you could have used just one larger piece of hide, doesn't look as good as one piece, and definately is cheaper to make. JMHO!!

This was true at one point, "back in the day." However, in fact, in this case, the jacket is actually is more expensive to construct with the split back because of labor costs. Remember that Vanson cuts from large cowhides, so cutting a one-piece back is no problem for them. Vanson is just trying to get a great 1950s-period cafe' racer aesthetic (e.g. 1950s Bates) just as Aero is trying to get a 1930s-period half belt aesthetic with the Sunburst Half Belt.

 

[ButteMT61]

Yeah, I agree on the back. Cow hides are larger than horse and I bet it's just a style thing. It's one thing to get a multi-piece A-2, and other for a civi jacket. I do wonder though if that affects the safety aspect of a biker jacket? Are seams inherently unsafe in a crash?

 

[jlanderson]

Just wondering, but as Thurston Bros. now has an official relationship with the FL, would one of the bartenders consider making this thread an open, sticky thread so it will remain at the top? That way, folks wouldn't have to go hunting for it if it has been a while since a response has been posted.

Thanks.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Sounds like a good idea to me too!
HD

 

[pauleway]

This was true at one point, "back in the day." However, in fact, in this case, the jacket is actually is more expensive to construct with the split back because of labor costs. Remember that Vanson cuts from large cowhides, so cutting a one-piece back is no problem for them. Vanson is just trying to get a great 1950s-period cafe' racer aesthetic (e.g. 1950s Bates) just as Aero is trying to get a 1930s-period half belt aesthetic with the Sunburst Half Belt.

Good point on the labor cost, never came to mind. I guess if you are looking for that period look you would want it built that way. I think I saw a photo of HoosierD. Vanson and just prefered that look better!

 

[Bunyip]

Yeah, I agree on the back. Cow hides are larger than horse and I bet it's just a style thing. It's one thing to get a multi-piece A-2, and other for a civi jacket. I do wonder though if that affects the safety aspect of a biker jacket? Are seams inherently unsafe in a crash?

Butte,
I reckon the Vanson hides are as tough as any. Despite the fact Vanson are a pain in bot bot to deal with, their leather is undisputed. Interesting point about the seams, but I think the hide alone would save your hide, Id be more worried about making sure you have gloves on, decent footwear and a full face helmet....i hate mc accidents. Scare the bejesus out of me....

 

[ButteMT61]

Butte,I reckon the Vanson hides are as tough as any. Despite the fact Vanson are a pain in bot bot to deal with, their leather is undisputed. Interesting point about the seams, but I think the hide alone would save your hide, Id be more worried about making sure you have gloves on, decent footwear and a full face helmet....i hate mc accidents. Scare the bejesus out of me....

I've have two in 38 years of riding. Full gear always, and both times heavy steer jackets were key. Both times, the side and arms took the hit, so the concern about the back is likely misplaced. Btw, I recommend kangaroo gloves. Tough as nails. I like this jacket a lot!I had a Vanson in '88. Hot mutha ****er but saved me arse.

 

[Bunyip]

Yes, I had a cracker of a bingle when I was 18, kept me away fromriding for 2 years. Lucky I had full face helmet, had broken the chin strap on the half helmet...face plant, wore the chin and visor right down, like a cheese grator. Had a made in USA harley jacket on, looked like I had just rubbed a bit of sandpaper on it. Tough as guts. Broke my ankle, wrist and 2 toes, scared the shit out of me, hit a pensioner who was drunk riding a pusgbike and wobbled off the sidewalk right in front of me.....always big on leather and gloves and boots....i dig that brown racer...

 

[dm8877]

Yes, I had a cracker of a bingle when I was 18, . . . hit a pensioner who was drunk riding a pusgbike and wobbled off the sidewalk right in front of me.....

Hi Bunyip, I'll vouch and swear to all and sundry that you are indeed speaking English if you'll tell me what a pusgbike is.

 

[Bunyip]

I keep saying, fat fingers and ipads dont rhyme....

 

[Carrie @ Thurston Bros.]

Featured jacket this week!

Size 40 Aero Two-tone Dustbowl in Seal and Russet Jerky Horsehide, 25 inch back, 26.5 inch arms, Alpaca liner, absolutely stunning! $1099.99 USD, free shipping worldwide!

 

[Carrie @ Thurston Bros.]

Aero J106!

 

[nick123]

Aero J106!

Carrie, someone here mentioned that you are already receiving some of the May jackets. Do you ship them as you receive them or at the end of the month all at once? (Insert impatient emoticon here).

 

[Carrie @ Thurston Bros.]

Carrie, someone here mentioned that you are already receiving some of the May jackets. Do you ship them as you receive them or at the end of the month all at once? (Insert impatient emoticon here).

Nick,

Your jacket is in customs right now!!! It should be to us by the end of the week and we'll get it out to you right away! You should have it by May 15...

 

[nabottle]

Carrie,
Is that date going to be the same for all of the May jacket orders?

Shannon Shelley

 

[Carrie @ Thurston Bros.]

Carrie,
Is that date going to be the same for all of the May jacket orders?

Shannon Shelley

Shannon,

Because your jacket was a Dustbowl, a tad more time was needed to complete the jacket. It is being finished this week and will ship out at the beginning of next week! So sorry for the delay, but you're going to receive one of the very first custom Dustbowl jackets!

Check out this half belt that came in today! So nice...!!!

 

[nabottle]

Cool! Thanks for the info. Carrie. I can't wait to get it.

 

[nick123]

Nick,

Your jacket is in customs right now!!! It should be to us by the end of the week and we'll get it out to you right away! You should have it by May 15...

That's great news! I'll message you with my updated address.

 

[siddhartha]

Aero/Insurrection J106 review

Aero/Insurrection J106

So this is a jacket I’ve been waiting for...



I sold my Aero King of the Road for this jacket. I had actually ordered this one before the sale, after speaking with Wade and Carrie at Insurrection. A bit of background:
I wanted a D-pocket jacket, and had owned an Aero KOTR for a number of years. I wore it for about 2 seasons, and then it sat in my closet. I originally ordered it in a size 46, as recommended by Will at Aero for a number of reasons-I was heavier, I was told the jacket fit snugly, and that I should size up, and I wanted something I could layer as needed. In retrospect, the D-pocket design was likely not the way to go for those same reasons.
I got a Buco J24 repro from DiamondDave, which is made from beautiful Horween horsehide. However, at the time, I ordered it in that same sz 46, so, while it was a better fit, it was not quite the fit I needed. Perusing the forums and internet, I found the LW version, and finally, back to Aero to see that there were some newer styles since I last looked, most notably the J106. I also learned that Insurrection in Seattle were taking some of the Aero jackets, and further altering the specs, to arrive at what I felt was the perfect D-pocket for me.
On to the ordering experience: Back when I started with the jacket obsession, around 10 years ago, the way to order was to call Aero, or AeroLeatherUSA (ahem). However, it was still a bit hit-or-miss, as you weren’t sure if the fit would be correct, you didn’t get to see the leather beforehand (I know, you can get samples, but there’s a huge difference in having a sample in hand to having a complete jacket), and you might not really meld with the style of the jacket you eventually received. With Insurrection, I spoke at length with Carrie and Wade, and got their input. They were recommending a sz 42 in this style, which I thought was crazy-all my suit jackets were size 44, I purchased all my jackets based around sz 44, and believed that I fluctuated between 44 and 46. They sent me a test jacket, in sz 42, in the heavy steerhide. First off, the jacket was heavy, beautiful, and felt snug...wasn’t too sure, but as I wore it over the next couple of days, I felt the sizing was right. Even my wife assured me that they were correct, and I had been a product of the oversizing practice since college. Insurrection took my order, and we decided on a few alterations. I initially went with the heavy steerhide, which felt very similar to my Highwayman from about 10 years ago, and a bit heavier than my KOTR. However, I went back and forth in my mind, and changed the order to FQHH, as that was what I really wanted, provided it would be heavy. I was told it was.
There was a production delay, leading right up to Aero’s show of their new models. My intended jacket arrived in Seattle, but without the specs that we agreed upon. Carrie immediately intercepted the jacket, and told me that Aero would correct the order, and it would be a few weeks longer. A few weeks went by, and I got both a nice note from Holly and Ken at Aero, and a notice from Carrie that my jacket was on its way!
On to the jacket!
First off-the leather: This is Aero’s FQHH, which has been chrome tanned. It has a characteristic smell to it, not unpleasant, but not that really nice veg-tanned leather smell. It has faded a bit in the past week or so, especially since I put the jacket outside one sunny afternoon. That said, the weight, hand, and finish of the leather is fantastic! It’s heavy, very similar in weight to my Aero KOTR-this jacket weighs about 6.6lbs in size 42, and the KOTR weighed about 6.4lbs in size 46. The finish is more glossy than the KOTR (for reference, that jacket is somewhere around 10 years old, more or less), but where grain is starting to pop out, the finish is starting to get more matte in appearance.

The cut of the jacket is very different from my old KOTR. That jacket was more of an exaggerated “V” shape, with wide shoulders and body, and a narrow waist. The J106 is slimmer throughout, with less taper, but (to my eye) better balanced proportions. It is a simpler design, without a western-type back yoke, passenger pockets, or hidden belt. It is much more similar to the Buco J23-24 jacket, with a couple of exceptions. First off, Insurrection specced it with shoulder-gussets only, rather than a full, G-1 style “action back.” I really, really recommend going with this, as it simplifies the back, and lends to the slimmer overall feel/look of the jacket.

Also, the J106 lacks passenger pockets. Again, this simplifies the back a bit, and nothing lost, in my opinion. From the front, the jacket appears very similar, with a well-balanced D-pocket as the main design feature. The change/spark-plug pocket is a nice size, and the flap has been squared-off. Another change from the KOTR is the horizontal zippered pocket above the D-pocket, which is present here on the J106. I personally like that, and think it adds to the design up front. The collar design varies a bit between the KOTR and the J106, and I prefer the J106 design.

The other details that I like, and were specified: the lining is heavy cotton drill, with heavy cord at stress points. The backs of the snaps do not go through the liner, rather they are hidden-this is a common stress area on the liner, and the tearing potential is minimized with this spec. The cotton drill extends down the arms. There is a leather reinforced kidney patch.

Zippers are brass, and the snaps are chrome/steel. I like the contrast, and it is in keeping with Bucos of the era. It comes with a belt, which I won’t use, but it’s a nice addition for those who prefer it.
One other thing I’ll mention, as some may remember I recently reviewed an Eastman Roadstar-what are the differences, and which do I prefer? First off, the Eastman cut is slimmer, a bit more “aggressive” for lack of a better term. Mine is a size 44, and it fits a bit slimmer than the J106. The Roadstar is not as long, either in the body or arms. The Roadstar is a lighter jacket, and the horsehide is veg-tanned. The Roadstar is lined in wool, with cotton drill sleeves and pocket liners. They are actually very different jackets, and it mostly comes down to personal preference. I’ve owned the Roadstar longer, and it’s more broken-in. It smells fantastic, and fits very well. Overall though, I prefer the heavier horsehide on the J106. I would say that when you put on the J106, it’s like suiting up in armor-I don’t get that feel from the Roadstar, but keep in mind that sometimes you might not want the heavier leather. Also, the Roadstar, being more “cropped,” is easier to deal with driving a car-no riding up, or sitting on a seam. To use the overused car analogy: Some prefer Mercedes, some BMW, some Acura-the same details preference applies here. I prefer the Aero-I’m an Aero guy.

 

[Fanch]

That was a superb review with pictures to complement your writeup and experience. I won't even ask what bike you will use for your new jacket. My only question is which watch?