Gamma68
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,951
- Location
- Detroit, MI
Taubers of California was based in San Francisco and produced high-quality leather motorcycle clothing from the early 1940s until folding sometime in the early 1980s.
Their jackets were (and still are) considered top shelf. In a March 1981 issue of "Norton Notice," the newsletter of the Norton Club's Northern California Branch, a reviewer of Taubers products says "Ray Tauber makes what are quite simply the BEST leather motorcycle clothing I have ever seen having spent over a year saving for a set and checking out every leather clothing manufacturer I could find." You can read the rest of the review here (on page 10)
http://www.nortonclub.com/Newsletter/volume_4/Volume_4_Issue_3-34.pdf
Taubers made lots of variations on the traditional cross-zip Perfecto style jackets, but their cafe racers (they advertised them as the "Competition Shirt") are less common and harder to find.
This one is made from a robust steerhide leather. This was made for serious riding and not for fashion. The jacket has two chest pockets and a two-snap collar. All zips, including the two under the sleeves, are brass with Talon zips.
The interior is lined in blue wool felt. The article cited above notes that many Taubers products were custom-made and it wouldn't surprise me if the lining was a custom option. The sleeves are a typical rayon.
The jacket is in overall excellent condition and the leather shows some very nice graining. All zips and snaps work perfectly. There is a small scuff in the leather at the right elbow. No holes or stains in the lining. There is some lining separation at the right cuff and a small lining hole at the left cuff. This is minor compared to shredded cuffs often seen on older jackets.
Tagged a size 40 but due to the thick steerhide seems more like a size 38.
Measurements
Shoulders: 18”
Chest: 20.25”
Sleeve: 25” (following sleeve curve)
Waist: 19.5”
Length from top of collar: 26.5
Asking $295. Price includes CONUS shipping.
Their jackets were (and still are) considered top shelf. In a March 1981 issue of "Norton Notice," the newsletter of the Norton Club's Northern California Branch, a reviewer of Taubers products says "Ray Tauber makes what are quite simply the BEST leather motorcycle clothing I have ever seen having spent over a year saving for a set and checking out every leather clothing manufacturer I could find." You can read the rest of the review here (on page 10)
http://www.nortonclub.com/Newsletter/volume_4/Volume_4_Issue_3-34.pdf
Taubers made lots of variations on the traditional cross-zip Perfecto style jackets, but their cafe racers (they advertised them as the "Competition Shirt") are less common and harder to find.
This one is made from a robust steerhide leather. This was made for serious riding and not for fashion. The jacket has two chest pockets and a two-snap collar. All zips, including the two under the sleeves, are brass with Talon zips.
The interior is lined in blue wool felt. The article cited above notes that many Taubers products were custom-made and it wouldn't surprise me if the lining was a custom option. The sleeves are a typical rayon.
The jacket is in overall excellent condition and the leather shows some very nice graining. All zips and snaps work perfectly. There is a small scuff in the leather at the right elbow. No holes or stains in the lining. There is some lining separation at the right cuff and a small lining hole at the left cuff. This is minor compared to shredded cuffs often seen on older jackets.
Tagged a size 40 but due to the thick steerhide seems more like a size 38.
Measurements
Shoulders: 18”
Chest: 20.25”
Sleeve: 25” (following sleeve curve)
Waist: 19.5”
Length from top of collar: 26.5
Asking $295. Price includes CONUS shipping.
