Vintage Cafe Racer with closest look to Buco j-100?

[Will Zach]

Greetings - first post so go easy on me. Having been a fan of vintage goatskin Cooper US Army field jackets (still good as a winter coat, but boxy), I am just getting into motorcycle vintage jackets, and prefer the clean look of the classic, Buco J-100. The past couple of weeks I have been drinking knowledge from a fire hose at the Fedora Lounge as a lurker. Needless to say, got a sticker shock when looking at original Bucos. But the good news is that so many labels used to make cafe racers - the sheer number is bewildering for a noob... (Vanson, Harley Davidson, Schott, Langlitz, Brooks, Beck, Kehow, Brimaco, Bates, Taubers, Reed, Excelled, Grais, and probably more show up on Ebay).

So my question is: which of these brands made a CR jacket most resembling a Buco J-100 (I particularly like the single-panel back, although a narrow kidney panel would be okay, too. 4 pockets are okay, two breast and two slash hand-warmers). I'll go with bi-swing arms if I have to because my understanding is that most of these jackets had them; Buco being an exception. But I strongly prefer no bi-swings. Looking only at VTG at this time, no reproduction recos please!

Please point a noob in the right direction towards "poor man's Buco J-100"; hopefully this advice will benefit not only me. Thanks!

 

[Guppy]

I'd look at Brooks, which have a direct lineage to Buco. Also worth looking at would be Brimaco. They can be found at a relative bargain compared to what a Buco will go for. Fidelity, Kehoe, etc. are also good cafe racer style jackets, similar but not exactly like a Buco J-100.

I happen to have an MKS-made Buco labeled J-100 for sale, cheaper than the US-made Bucos, if it fits and you're interested, I am open to offers: https://www.ebay.com/itm/301792348613

 

[Monitor]

Hello, @Will Zach.

Unfortunately, there is no poor man's Buco. Or at least not one that's readily available. Occasionally, Cal, HD, Bates and Taubers made a jacket similar to what you're looking for, though what you describe is pretty much exclusive to Buco and Harley-Davidson (namely their Sportster jacket). And I doubt it you'll find either for less than what you'd pay for a repro so... Might as well go that way.

You should look into Fidelity as well. Their CR is similar to J-100, with two chest pockets and a clean, one piece back. It's got shoulder gussets but they're discreet. Best part is you can still find one for under a hundred $ and they're quality jackets.

 

[Will Zach]

Hello, @Will Zach.

Unfortunately, there is no poor man's Buco. Or at least not one that's readily available. Occasionally, Cal, HD, Bates and Taubers made a jacket similar to what you're looking for, though what you describe is pretty much exclusive to Buco and Harley-Davidson (namely their Sportster jacket). And I doubt it you'll find either for less than what you'd pay for a repro so... Might as well go that way.

You should look into Fidelity as well. Their CR is similar to J-100, with two chest pockets and a clean, one piece back. It's got shoulder gussets but they're discreet. Best part is you can still find one for under a hundred $ and they're quality jackets.

Thanks Monitor. One HD Sportster just went for $425. Not cheap but not Buco pricing either. I will keep an eye out for your and Guppy's recos.

https://www.depop.com/products/villainofnash-awesome-harley-davidson-sportster-leather/

 

[Monitor]

Thanks Monitor. One HD Sportster just went for $425. Not cheap but not Buco pricing either. I will keep an eye on your and Guppy's recos.

https://www.depop.com/products/villainofnash-awesome-harley-davidson-sportster-leather/

I just posted a really cheap one, size 42 in a Deals thread. Check it out. If the size works, I wouldn't wait long if I were you. That's a helluva deal and a really good jacket.

 

[ProteinNerd]

LOL gone already @Monitor

I would have thought a Brooks Gold Label would be a great alternative to an actual Buco. There are enough of them around for you to pick a nice one at a decent price. Sure the back is quite different but its still a great style.

 

[tmitchell59]

here is a Brooks

 

[Monitor]

LOL gone already @Monitor

I would have thought a Brooks Gold Label would be a great alternative to an actual Buco. There are enough of them around for you to pick a nice one at a decent price. Sure the back is quite different but its still a great style.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20267792745

This one? Still here for me.

 

[Will Zach]

No it ain't... Just bought it. Looking forward to it.

 

[technovox]

Off the top of my head, and looking through my closet...

Vintage Cafe Racers with a back similar to a Buco: Harley Davidson Sportster One Pocket, Taubers (Earlier Horsehide Label), Vanson Comet, Herm's Leather Togs
CRs without Gusseted back: Cal Leather, Taubers, Bates, Harley Davidson Sportster One Pocket, Vanson Comet, Herm's Leather Togs, Shields of Toronto

 

[tmitchell59]

Taubers

 

[Will Zach]

This Taubers is really nice. A similar one, with elbow skid patches is $1000 on Ebay right now. Damn, this hobby is going to get expensive real fast...

 

[tmitchell59]

This Taubers is really nice. A similar one, with elbow skid patches is $1000 on Ebay right now. Damn, this hobby is going to get expensive real fast...

The Taubers I posted above is in the classifieds and a lot less than 1k.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/taubers-horsehide-cafe-racer-size-38-40.97376/

 

[Seb Lucas]

The Taubers is probably the one. The Brooks for me is an improvement on the j100. That action back really does it for me.

 

[El Marro]

I want to put in a good word for the Vanson Comet (and the Comet PLU-3 for us taller guys). I was fortunate enough to pick one of these up used here on the lounge and I must say it really has that classic café racer fit. Super clean and streamlined yet comfortable to wear because the pattern is so well made. I see that technovox included this one on his list and he knows far more about the style than I ever will.
Keep an eye out Will Zach and if you see one of these pop up in your size grab it. Welcome to the lounge Btw!

 

[jeep44]

I'd vote for a Brooks jacket,too. A great,well-made brand, with more than a little Buco DNA in their lineage.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I want to put in a good word for the Vanson Comet (and the Comet PLU-3 for us taller guys). I was fortunate enough to pick one of these up used here on the lounge and I must say it really has that classic café racer fit. Super clean and streamlined yet comfortable to wear because the pattern is so well made. I see that technovox included this one on his list and he knows far more about the style than I ever will.
Keep an eye out Will Zach and if you see one of these pop up in your size grab it. Welcome to the lounge Btw!

That's a good point, EM. I really like the longer PLU-3 as specc'd by Thurston Bros. Great cafe racer.

Incidentally, you can get a brand new Brooks for around $400 - made in USA. But it's 3.5oz thick so it's a hell of a lot heavier than the originals - which counts me out, unfortunately.

I'd like to put a word in for the Vanson Mohawk (a little known Vanson that is almost the same pattern as the old Brooks, and a self-conscious retro jacket by that august company).


From their website: Vanson Mohawk:

 

[jonbuilder]

Taubers

close