Nice video. let's start by the fact HD has been offering leather jackets since the late 20's. Earlier, they were mainly car coats followed by the so called "aviator type". RMC older interpretation of the jacket was made better than the new ones. The original name of the jacket was cycle king. The cycle champ came later with their simpler design in the upper 50's. The cycle king was made in three different stages of production. The first production had the wool plaid follow with the cotton. The last production had nylon lining and the bottom belt area was no longer divided with a panel. By the way, the image @12:24 has a replacement zipper and not original. Currently I own several 1950's HD Jackets and one 1947 plaid wool lined cycle king. All the cycle kings leather jackets I own have nickel plated hardware. My cycle champs have the brass and nickel hardware. Remember, those original jackets have been used and more likely the nickel platting wore off by giving the illusion that some jackets had originally produced with mix metal hardware. Different spots were used in both cycle king and cycle champ. I must point out that I am an owner and not an expert critic on these vintage jackets. My friend George who owns several original HD and Bucos is far more knowledgeable than me. He has repaired my jackets several times and is incredibly meticulous with his work. He repairs by using original holes instead of making new ones to put the jacket back. He does not do this for a living but helps out the old gents like my friends and I. Personally, I love my Vanson interpretation of the Cycle king. I purchased mine 4 years ago and wear it often. The sleeves are a little long but I rock it anyways. Vanson's current cycle king is produced very well but the hide used in not as good as their older jackets.
I have a vintage D pocket jacket of unknown origin and I can attest to its shortness. I am 5’7” and it’s even a bit short on me but I love it. Men’s pants were high waisted years ago so l wear it with my binge Levi’s 501’s which are higher waisted as well.
Super cool video. I am not a Momoa fan but personally I think he did good in this jacket. The older jackets with the two square pockets were called cycle king. Cycle kings had the more expensive lining. Later in the mid 50's the jacket was a different one with different design minus the square pockets and came with the nylon quilted lining. I believe it was done to save money in their production line. Some areas of concern regarding the original with the cotton? tan lining seems a little strange or it was produced in a very limited numbers. I believe the jacket was prior to the quilted production and after the nice plaid production. One thing I do not like about this new repro is the lack of attention to the hardware. Those spots look terrible in my view. I am a big fan of quality belts. Back on the day, Harley made beautiful belts for the cycle king. I have some and they look great. Quality item. Gonz asked me to contribute but personally, I think my budy Dan or George can truly give give expert advice Dan worked for several leather jacket companies and George has been collecting/repairing jackets as well as working on Harley bikes as long as I know him. I will let him know to give his input here. I also encourage some members of the fedora lounge to give their point of view. I know for a fact the jacket got some positive comments there. The video was very well made.
You should bring leather jacket jawn on for a podcast. I’d be interested to hear him talk to you guys about jackets
Yes! I’ve talked to him about being on The MCC. Hopefully It will happen the next time he’s in town!
Nice video. let's start by the fact HD has been offering leather jackets since the late 20's. Earlier, they were mainly car coats followed by the so called "aviator type". RMC older interpretation of the jacket was made better than the new ones. The original name of the jacket was cycle king. The cycle champ came later with their simpler design in the upper 50's. The cycle king was made in three different stages of production. The first production had the wool plaid follow with the cotton. The last production had nylon lining and the bottom belt area was no longer divided with a panel. By the way, the image @12:24 has a replacement zipper and not original. Currently I own several 1950's HD Jackets and one 1947 plaid wool lined cycle king. All the cycle kings leather jackets I own have nickel plated hardware. My cycle champs have the brass and nickel hardware. Remember, those original jackets have been used and more likely the nickel platting wore off by giving the illusion that some jackets had originally produced with mix metal hardware. Different spots were used in both cycle king and cycle champ.
I must point out that I am an owner and not an expert critic on these vintage jackets. My friend George who owns several original HD and Bucos is far more knowledgeable than me. He has repaired my jackets several times and is incredibly meticulous with his work. He repairs by using original holes instead of making new ones to put the jacket back. He does not do this for a living but helps out the old gents like my friends and I. Personally, I love my Vanson interpretation of the Cycle king. I purchased mine 4 years ago and wear it often. The sleeves are a little long but I rock it anyways. Vanson's current cycle king is produced very well but the hide used in not as good as their older jackets.
Wow! Thanks so much for your knowledgeable input!
I have a vintage D pocket jacket of unknown origin and I can attest to its shortness. I am 5’7” and it’s even a bit short on me but I love it. Men’s pants were high waisted years ago so l wear it with my binge Levi’s 501’s which are higher waisted as well.
Great look!
I have a Sears Leather Jacket my father bought for me in 1965 when I got my first bike. Looks similar. It’s been a fantastic riding jacket.
@@stevecrawford7814back when sears sold really nice stuff!
Oh man that sounds great! Thanks for the comment!
@@stevecrawford7814wow sounds like a great piece that has lasted the ages you’ve had it!
C'est vraiment une belle pièce ce qui me tue est que je sais depuis hier que cette veste existe et yé dejas sold out dans ma taille ....
Yes! That’s why I jumped on it!
If I recall, the original leather jacket made for Harley cost $5.
Haha! Times certainly have changed!
Super cool video. I am not a Momoa fan but personally I think he did good in this jacket. The older jackets with the two square pockets were called cycle king. Cycle kings had the more expensive lining. Later in the mid 50's the jacket was a different one with different design minus the square pockets and came with the nylon quilted lining. I believe it was done to save money in their production line. Some areas of concern regarding the original with the cotton? tan lining seems a little strange or it was produced in a very limited numbers. I believe the jacket was prior to the quilted production and after the nice plaid production. One thing I do not like about this new repro is the lack of attention to the hardware. Those spots look terrible in my view. I am a big fan of quality belts. Back on the day, Harley made beautiful belts for the cycle king. I have some and they look great. Quality item. Gonz asked me to contribute but personally, I think my budy Dan or George can truly give give expert advice Dan worked for several leather jacket companies and George has been collecting/repairing jackets as well as working on Harley bikes as long as I know him. I will let him know to give his input here. I also encourage some members of the fedora lounge to give their point of view. I know for a fact the jacket got some positive comments there. The video was very well made.
Thanks for your input and knowledge!!