Topic: Would you ride in a 20 year old jacket?

[super pasty white guy]

So, I'm looking at leather jackets and have seen some ones on ebay.

Even limiting my search to respected mfgs, I'm still a bit leery of old stiching coming apart if I hit the pavement.

Anyone here have, say, a old Schott or similar and care to comment on this?

dave

[jrrobertsjr]

Absolutely.

My Schott jacket has no armor.

But I ride with these underneath.

[xtalon]

Absolutely.

My Schott jacket has no armor.

But I ride with these underneath.

Damn... Sir Lancelot!!!

Just kidding!  Glad to see you take your protection seriously.  That's pretty nice stuff.  How's the quality?

--xTalon

[jrrobertsjr]

Quality is outstanding.

I think we can all agree that it is not a matter of if we are gonna go down, just a matter of when.

My goal is to be able to start fixing the bike when I get home and not having to wait till I heal.

I ride hard and I ride with guys that are better riders and ride even more aggressively than I do.

If I have an opportunity to stack the deck in my favor, you can bet i will.

The spine protector is great, you can easily forget you have it on.

The knee and elbow is a little tight on me in spite of its one-size-fits-all style. However, I forget about them too after a short while.

The whole setup was less than 200. That is less than my deductable for the insurance.

And the knee protectors fit easily under jeans.

Johnny.

[Rocking-M]

I just posted a while back about my 30+ year old Schott. Nothing wrong
with the stitching and I really prefer it to my new armored jacket.

[ProTeal55]

I ride in a t-shirt and jeans, so YES I would wear a 20 year old jacket 

[tramp]

one of my leathers is at least 40 yrs old
wear it with no fear
keep it oiled
built three times better than most new ones

[clarkjh]

one of my leathers is at least 40 yrs old
wear it with no fear
keep it oiled
built three times better than most new ones

I need to oil mine, not even broke in after 15 years, only rode three with it.  What do you use for oil?

James

[eldar]

Hey where di you get that armor?

[Rocking-M]

Hey James,

Best thing we've found for saddles is
Black Rock Leather Conditioner, check your local saddle shop.
Stay away from Neats Foot oil it rots threads.

[BobbyR]

I ride with a thick split cowhide jacket I bought in Tiajuana back in the 70's. I would condition the leather with that Black Rock. Stiching is usually a waxed linen. The tanning process leaves behind some acids that will eat the thread. Pull on he seams to see if the holes are intact, but it should be fine. Leather will only protect you from road rash. For impact you need armor, I personally would find the armor a lot of hassle. Since I am growing out of my old jacket I may look into something with some padding in the elbows. I have enough padding on my stomach.   

[kghost]

That armor johnny has is pretty cool.

I've seen him wear it and it seems very wearable and unobtrusive.

[seaweb11]

That armor johnny has is pretty cool.

The concept of it seems perfectly clear and prudent. But it would seem to me getting out scuba tanks and gearing up would be about the same amount of effort.  Perhaps if as he indicates he is riding beyond what he is comfortable with "aggressive" it would be a worth while set up.   Just seems a bit extreme at 1st look.  Don't get me wrong, I'm 46 and I know I don't heal as fast as I used to, but I am not getting that much gear on to have a run