Topic: Got a new jacket. How to help "break-in" the leather?

[GroovieGhoulie]

I just got a brand new leather coat and it is quite stiff. Is there a good leather conditioner or rub or something than I can put on it to soften if up to help speed up the break-in and help it conform to me?

Got a new Vanson motorcycle jacket as a late Christmas present from the fiancee's parents. It's all handmade in the USA, so it wasn't cheap, but GODD*MN, the quality is second-to-none. Nice thick leather that can take a fall and slide, top-quality stitching too. Of course, you want something that won't wear through or fall apart in a slide on asphalt. This thing is such high quality that I could easily see it being passed onto my Grand-kids, as long as it was taken care of.

However, it's D*MN stiff, especially in the arms, so I'm trying to figure out how to soften it up. I fully intend to wear it, and often, but being July in Louisiana, a (primarily) black leather jacket isn't the best summer wear, unless I'm on the bike with air moving over me. I am surprised though, the liner isn't bulky, so it feels very light and "breathes" well for a leather jacket.


Some pics:


Front


Mandarin-style collar with snap-back.  Quality stitching.


Made in Boston, Massachusetts. Right here in the USA!


Action back with gusseted shoulders.


Back


Each star and stripe is individually sewn in.


Flag detail.  Each star is stitched in.


Flag detail.


I LOVE this jacket.  Most people don't "get it", especially in the Army, but those that are hip to it, LOVE it.

[Badger 5]

It will look great with your reflective PT belt and full face helmet.

(it's an army thing)

[GroovieGhoulie]

It will look great with your reflective PT belt and full face helmet.

(it's an army thing)

I wear a 3/4 open face and skip the belt.  What are they gonna do, kick me out? 

"Oh, no PLEASE, don't throw me in that briar patch!!!" 

[Uncle Ernie]

Chew on it. 
Right now, the best thing is to just wear it.  PITA, but that's best for now.  Bunching and twisting some will loosen it up some.
Vanson makes a "leather balm" (or used to. I still have an old pint on the shelf)
Biwell cream is one of my favorites for general conditioning and light water-proofing.
Nikwax makes very good products for outdoor wear such as fabris as well as leather.  They even make a waterproofer/conditioner for gloves that won't make them slippery.  Yeah- it works. Nik-wax products are hydroscopic, so read the directions.
Lexol feels almost magic in that it seems to actually heal leather.  Also good on vinyl seats.

Saddle soap and mink oil/neetsfot oil can rot thread, so I avoid those.  Some people swear by them, so you figure it out.

NOW- IMHO you should wait because I believe you can over-condition leather.  Best not to feed it until it's hungry.  I just made that up, so I'm not sure how it sounds, but I hope you get what I mean.

[toycollector10]

That's a beautiful jacket...email the Vanson people and ask them what product to use.

I use Elephant Leather Preserver on my old jacket. Here at www.colourlock.co.nz

[Al_Aaraaf]

Nice Jacket. I'm quite envious. I've been sitting on plans to have a Class A like that made with some different design work. I  think riding throughout the summer with it would be the best way to break it in. Just tough it out. It'll surely start shaping up as your sweat and skin oil softens it up in the heat.

[Rocking-M]

I wonder if they'd make me one with the Battle Flag?

Try, just a bit of Black Rock Leather Conditioner. Any good tack shop should have it.

[Gordon]

Pretty much anything that will significantly speed up the break-in period of leather will also degrade it and shorten it's durability and lifespan.  Like some others have said, the best way to soften it up is just wear it. 

[Rocking-M]

I build my own saddles, black rock is the only thing I've found that doesn't seem to degrade the
leather over time. As Ernie said, the old standard, neats foot oil, will certainly root threads.

[medic09]

When I was younger, they'd take a fella with his jacket on and a) toss him in the Rippowam River or b) smear motor oil on the jacket, pour beer over him, and roll him around the asphalt a bit.  Sort of the teenage punk version of stomping on someone's new white sneakers in elementary school.   

If need be, I choose 'a'. 

[kach_me]

That looks like the jacket that Peter Fonda wore in Easy Rider.  Very sharp!  Is your helmet stars and bars too? 

[GroovieGhoulie]

That looks like the jacket that Peter Fonda wore in Easy Rider.  Very sharp!

Exactly. 

Is your helmet stars and bars too? 

 

This is me at Hodaka Days 2007: 


Note the sunglasses; Ray-Ban Olympians, the same model worn by Peter Fonda in Easy Rider.  Of course, his lenses were MUCH lighter.  The next step is to get a second set and custom lenses.

Now I just need the Captain America chopper and I'm set.  Actually I can't stand choppers, but I would have that one, both for what it represents and the fact that it's an Old-School, "Real" chopper.

[andy750]

Now if you had just come on the SOHC Easy Rider Trip in 2004 where we rode to all the places in the movie you would be complete ;-)

www.easyridertrip.de

cheers
Andy

[Rocking-M]

I've been looking for a second set of Ray Bans. I've had aviators for many moons,
those look like the second set, thanks Ghoulie


Oh no, no luck on ebay, where did you get them??

[GroovieGhoulie]

I've been looking for a second set of Ray Bans. I've had aviators for many moons,
those look like the second set, thanks Ghoulie


Oh no, no luck on ebay, where did you get them??

I got mine on eBay.  Search for "Ray Ban 3119", since that's the actual frame number.  Obviously, the "proper" frames are the Gold w/ Grey lenses.  Mine cost $89.99 + shipping Brand New in the box.

"Easy Rider" influence or not, I think they are the best pair of sunglasses I own.  EXCELLENT tinting/polarizing keeps the sun out and the wraparound style PERFECTLY fits my head and lets no stray light in.

I'm gonna be picking up a second pair soon.

[kach_me]

I've got my Rayban Wayfarers that I've had since high school... think Tom Cruise in Risky Business.  Hands down the best sunglasses that I've owned.  Except maybe the other pair of sunglasses that I had before those, also Raybans but I can't remember the name.  The guy from "Lost Boys" wore them.  Jason Patrick ? 

[Slapguts]

Best way I've ever broken in a jacket/boots/gloves is to get em good and wet, and ride around until they're dry.

Also agree on the Ray Bans I have a pair of Wayfarers, and I've sat on them, stepped on them, dropped them and they still look brand new. I used to go through a cheap gas station pair every two weeks. I need to pick up a pair with yellow or clear lenses for night time.

[jabbadeznuts]

I'm a big fan of Lexol. Keeps things like and lubed up without being "greasy"

[Rocking-M]

Lexol is pretty good too!

Back to getting it wet, that's what I do with the saddles, new boots, hats,
etc....but you must get it wet, soaking, then ride it dry, shouldn't take
as long on a bike