The Traditional Motorcycle Leather Jacket
The traditional motorcycle leather jacket was introduced in 1928 by Schott of New York City. It was a double sided style known as Perfecto and although it has been modified and added to over the years is still basically the same style.
Popularised by many movie stars, it was worn by Marlon Brando in the Wild Ones and James Dean and the Fonz in the 1950’s. The traditional motorcycle jacket has gained an image of being the worn by rebels and even criminals. Although good looking the traditional motorcycle leather jacket is favored by the motorcycle crowd for its practicality and protection rather than its looks.
Made of leather, traditional motorcycle jackets have offered the very best protection, not only from the elements, but from the effect of violent impact on the rough surfaces of the road. The jacket also has plenty of pockets for storage and zips and snaps to allow vents to be opened for cooling or wrists to be snugly protected from the wind.
A belt is also included to also help further with making a snug, windproof fit. A longer arm length prevents the sleeves from riding up when in riding position and the back is longer to keep the waist warm. Some jackets have laces in the side to allow tightening in the cooler weather and many have snap out insulated linings.
The traditional leather motorcycle jacket has worked well for bikers as it fits their unique needs. It is an all year round jacket, warm in the winter and ventilated for coolness in the summer.
Marlon Brando image by Wonderlane
Diamond Plate Men’s Belted Solid Leather Motorcycle Jacket
List Price:$152.99
This black Nappa leather motorcycle jacket features silver tone hardware, zip-up front, multiple zippered and snap pockets, inside breast pocket, adjustable zippered cuffs, and a belt across the front of the waist. 8 lbs each.
What NOT To Wear On A Harley!!
Bikers: Have you ever been in this situation? What do you do? Zip up the jacket? Looks Scary! We saw this guy cruisin’ the highway in between St Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida
Choosing Leather Motorcycle Boots
Image by arbyreed
Boots are an essential part of your leather motorcycle clothing. You should always wear proper protection on your feet. Never ride in sandals, flip flops, bare feet or running shoes as none of these will offer any protection in the event of an accident or fall from your motorcycle.Boots should completely cover the ball of the foot have good traction with oil and gas resistant soles.
Leather motorcycle boots should completely cover the ball of the foot have good traction with oil and gas resistant soles. Leather boots are ideal and offer the maximum protection. Steel toe caps can also be used to give even more protection. Dirt bike boots and racing track boots can be used but they are expensive and are heavy and rather rigid so are not really comfortable for walking in.
Should you have boots with laces? Laces can be a safety hazard by coming loose and getting tangled in chains and spokes. Boots with laces can be used for motorcycle riding if you are vigilant about checking that they are tightly tied regularly. Make it a habit to check the laces when you stop for gas. Boots with velcro, zips or buckles are obviously better.
Points to look for when buying leather motorcycle boots
- Sturdy leather construction
- Ankle support
- Good coverage of the feet and ankles
- Gas and oil resistant soles
- Preferably velcro, buckle or zip fastening
- Comfortable
Men’s Executioner Leather Motorcycle Boots – Xelement
List Price: $89.95
Men’s Executioner Leather Motorcycle Boots by Xelement. Get ready to have fun and turn some heads in the most advanced and aggressive motorcycle boot on the market. Featuring Black Heavy Duty Full-Grain leather, Oil Tanned Leather Upper, Good Year Welt Construction, traction control lug soles, cushion Insole, High Density EVA Plug for added Support, Cushion Foot bed for Comfort, Plain Soft Toe, side Zipper for easy On and Off, Xelement Logo Accents, Padded Lower Shin Strap and 4 Xelement Buckles. Features: Black Heavy Duty Full-Grain Oil Tanned Leather Upper Good Year Welt Construction Cushion Insole High Density EVA Plug for added Support Side Zipper Xelement Logo Accents 4 Xelement Buckles Padded Lower Shin Strap Traction Control Lug Sole Advanced Boot and Aggessive Design
Click here for more information on Men’s Executioner Leather Motorcycle Boots – Xelement
Choosing Leather Motorcycle Gloves
Tough gloves are essential when riding your motorcycle as if you fall off the first thing you will instinctively do is to reach out your hands to save yourself. Unless you are wearing a pair of gloves that can stand up to the impact you’re hands are going to be severely injured. Motorcycle gloves are available in a range of styles and materials but the best type for safety and good looks are undoubtedly made from leather.
On a cold day leather gloves will keep you warm and if you choose ones with adjustable wrist straps they can be made to fit snugly. Many leather motorcycle gloves come with covers for protecting the leather in the rain and are often insulated for even more warmth in the colder weather.
For a cooler leather glove for summer wear go for a more ventilated design or fingerless gloves.
Some motorcycle leather glove buying tips
- Look for good stitching especially on palms which will get the most impact
- Buy a thick pair for better protection
- Padding on the palm for better impact protection
- Make sure the gloves fit comfortable and are not too tight as this can impair your ability to control your motorcycle
- For winter wear look for extra insulation
- For summer wear look for extra ventilation
- If you tend to fall on fists rather than palms look for extra protection on knuckles
- Longer length gloves with a wrist strap will be more comfortable when riding and provide more protection from bugs, rain and wind
Gloves Suitable for Summer Riding
Typhoon Motorcycle Glove
List Price:$11.99
This slim driving glove is a nice choice for those seeking a design that doesn’t overheat hands. Exposed knuckles spare the leather from undue stress and allow for circulation. An opening above the Velcro strap makes for a cool snug fit.
Click here for more information on Typhoon Motorcycle Glove
Gauntlet Gloves for Maximum Winter Protection
Diamond Plate 12pc Set Black Genuine Leather Motorcycle Gloves
List Price: $21.95
Diamond Plate 12pc Set Black Genuine Leather Motorcycle Gloves. Packed in assorted sizes. 3 pr. Medium 5 pr. Large 4 pr. XL. Not sold individually. Sold in carton packs only of mixed sizes. Carton pack weighs 27 lbs each.
Click here for more information on Diamond Plate 12pc Set Black Genuine Leather Motorcycle Gloves
Wesco Boss Boots on the Harley
Why, at least for this bike, Wesco Boss boots aren’t a regular choice for me to wear while riding.
Harley Davidson Bike and Cop Boots
Watching the boot handle the bike as we go for a ride on twisty back roads
Choosing Leather Motorcycle Clothing
Image by ms4jah
Good motorcycle clothing needs to protect you from the elements and to protect your skin in the event of you coming into violent contact with the road surface. Leather has proved an ideal material to use in jackets, pants and chaps as it is tough enough to save your skin and attractive enough to serve as a fashion statement.
Popularised in the fifties and sixties by stars such as the James Dean leather motorcycle jackets are not only essential clothing for riding but are worn by a wide variety of people who never go near a motorcycle.
Leather motorcycle clothing is commonly made from cowhide although buffalo hide, made from water buffalo from India and Pakistan is also available. The hide is tanned to make it rot proof and involves removing any hair, removing the outer layer of skin and fatty parts of the flesh then treating with a tanning solution.
Types of leather
Top Grain
This type of leather is strong and durable with a thickness of between 1.2 and 3mm. The leather is sanded to remove any imperfections then given a uniform look by pasting or spraying.
Naked and Full Grain
Naked leather has only dye added and is a very soft leather. Full grain leather is the most expensive leather and is not sanded. The hair is removed before treatment only. Hides are around 2mm thick and are hand picked to be uniform.natural full grain leather is the most sought after leather and the most expensive. It is so soft that it does not need any ‘breaking in’.
Finished Split Leather
A hide is split into two layers (or more) to produce split leather. The grain of the leather is then simulated by using an embossed polymer coating. As this type of leather has no grain it is not as tough as the other leathers and is only used in parts of clothing that will not be subjected to stress.
Winter and Summer Wear
A leather jacket with a belt and side laces will be useful in cold conditions as it can be fully adjusted to fit snugly. A full zip will also be helpful. In the summer zipped air vents are useful to allow circulation and keep you cool. A jacket that has both zipped vents and an insulated, removable lining is best for all year round use.
Looking After Your Leather Motorcycle Clothing
Avoid getting your leather clothing wet if at all possible as water depletes natural oils in the leather and leads to cracking and general deterioration. Wear a rain suit over the leather when riding in the rain or snow. if your leather clothing does get wet allow it to dry naturally away from any source of direct heat.
Oiling The Leather
Leather should be oiled occasionally with mink oil especially when you notice that the lustre is decreasing. This will keep the leather in good condition, improve its life span and keep it supple. A well looked after leather jacket should give you at least ten years of use
Woodlore O3110 Mink Oil Leather Preserve
List Price:$14.25
Click here for more information on Woodlore O3110 Mink Oil Leather Preserve
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05/23/08 Harley Cyrus Part 3
Rafe is talking with the psychic. She turns tarot cards and makes three predictions: ” Journey a fool takes, unexecpted path, and sacrifice” Rafe then quesitons if it means his money and accuses the psychic of wanting Gus’ money.
Dinah and Hilda are planning a party for the new family. Jeffrey arrives and tells Dinah he knows exactly what she is up to. Dinah realizes after Jeffrey leaves that she ticked him off even more with her stunt.
Harley gets a package. She opens it and is in tears when she sees the grad bear for Daisy. Harley’s walkie talkie crackles with a report that she’s needed at a crime scene.
Cyrus walks around the preparation for the graduation and sees parents with their children. He realizes what he has to do.
Rafe is losing his temper with the psychic. Harley comes in and calms down Rafe. She will pay the damages. Rafe and Harley leave. Rafe rushes off but Harley follows him. They both talk about how much they still miss Gus. Harley explains that her life is so crazy right now. Harley tells Rafe he was brave to go and question the lady. Harley considered but was a chicken. Rafe says it’s not fair. Harley knows. Rafe says sorry took the jacket. Harley says no it belongs to him. It all belongs to him now. Harley says that Natalia is a good woman better than Harley ever was. Rafe lucky to have Gus as a dad. Harley and Rafe head off to get the rest of Gus’ stuff out of Harley’s basement.
Cyrus walks into the SPD and confesses that it was him with the Fake ID business. He was a big bad wolf and manipulated Daisy. It’s all his fault. Mallet questions if he realizes what he is doing. Cyrus knows. Mallet is taking a statment from Cyrus when Mallet gets a call. Mallet tells Cyrus he should arrange an attorney. Cyrus just wants to talk. Daisy shouldn’t miss her grad. Mallet hopes that Daisy likes what Cyrus is doing for her. Cop continues to take transcript after Mallet leaves.
Jeffrey is on phone with AG. Jeffrey tells him that they have a big problem in Springfiled. There is a situation with the SPD.
Credit Right Kind of Wrong and CBS.
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro man Jacket
Replica off Mickey Rourkes Jacket Harley Davidson and the Marlboro man
10/17/07 Harley Cyrus
Daisy’s ITL “Choices” Only Harley and Cyrus moments. Harley is trying to call Daisy from the house. Cyrus and Alex are squabbling. Cyrus questions if something is wrong. Harley isn’t sure. Alex says she’s sorry about Daisy since the kid is handful. Harley says that her daughter changed around her life. Harley warns Alex that if Griggs doesn’t call then they are going to use Alex as bait to catch him. Later after hearing Daisy’s news that she was pregnant and got an abortion, Harley is shell shocked. Harley walks outside of Company and calls Cyrus. She questions if there is any news from Griggs. She tries to cover the pain but Cyrus can hear it. He asks Harley what is wrong? She tells him about Daisy. Cyrus understands if Harley wants to step back. She says there is no point. Daisy made her choice. Harley returns to the house later on. Cyrus offers her a beer. Cyrus says that he saw Rafe who was breaking all the windows on Main Street. Harley doesn’t want to hear about it. Cyrus says there is no one to blame. Harley knows but blames herself. Cyrus says it isn’t her fault. Harley remarks that it brought her closer to Daisy but how could she bring Daisy home with Alex and Cyrus there. Harley says that it is Cyrus’ fault. How could he get involved with Griggs? Cyrus is sorry. Harley says that Cyrus wanted the money and Marina. True. Harley says now because of that someone else is with her kid. Cyrus walks over and places his jacket on her shoulders. He touches her shoulders lightly and asks if she wants Gus or her father. Harley says that there is no one. Harley, Cyrus and Alex are the only ones that can find Marina. Harley says thanks for the beer though. Cyrus tells Harley to get some sleep. Harley laughs and walks away. She stops and breaks down when she sees a picture of Daisy. Cyrus holds her close as she cries for her daughter. Credit Right Kind of Wrong and CBS.
One of my favorite scenes before the church. It’s when I fell in love with Harley and Cyrus as a couple. Cyrus is so tender with Harley in these scenes.