Anyone replace their Aero Cafe Racer Zipper with a #10 zip?

[tieguy]

Anyone have a recommended seller for riri? Etsy perhaps?

 

[GW KY]

I just grabbed a used aero cafe racer and the zipper is as usual too small.

I'm gonna see if Dena at great leather will swap it for a bigger zipper and remove the wind guard as well.

The #5 cannot hold up to heavy leather and feels flimsy, agreed.

Cheers

 

[VR46]

I had LeatherCareUSA put a #8 YKK metal zipper on a heavy steerhide Aero. The original zipper had gotten messed up down at the cloth part of the bottom of the zipper where you start it. This was a few years ago. It's so much easier to zip now, very happy with it. I think it was about $85 plus shipping.

 

[Peacoat]

For a Cafe Racer, I think I would go with a #8 as a compromise. Should be plenty sturdy and not as clunky as a #10, although I like the #10 as a replacement for the other Aero offerings. A RIRI would be a good choice.

 

[GW KY]

For a Cafe Racer, I think I would go with a #8 as a compromise. Should be plenty sturdy and not as clunky as a #10, although I like the #10 as a replacement for the other Aero offerings. A RIRI would be a good choice.

Great thanks, good idea

 

[photo2u]

One of my most iconic and favorite Californian first production CR still has the original #10 mili conmar. Love the look and love the design. Many details in this CR that sadly none of the other makers ever reproduced. Cal was ahead of the game.

 

[navetsea]

I guess it has to do with the size of the jacket too, perhaps size #10 zip might workon size 42 jacket visually but would be overwhelming for size 36, I never have #5 ykk fails on me, but #8 would still work on my size visually depending on the shape of its slide puller too, personally I like paperclip puller or D ring puller and leather tab as they naturally hang and not sticking out at weird angle in the case of slanted positioned zip.

 

[AHP91]

I personally like the old school look. However, a nice #10 add quality to a jacket.
Here are some examples of a CR with # 10 C&C zipper.

View attachment 458595 View attachment 458596

In true honesty, You can rock a nice CR for a fraction of the "premium" makers...

When were these C&C #10 zippers used?

 

[photo2u]

When were these C&C #10 zippers used?

The late 60's through the late 70's

 

[Peacoat]

I guess it has to do with the size of the jacket too, perhaps size #10 zip might workon size 42 jacket visually but would be overwhelming for size 36, I never have #5 ykk fails on me, but #8 would still work on my size visually depending on the shape of its slide puller too, personally I like paperclip puller or D ring puller and leather tab as they naturally hang and not sticking out at weird angle in the case of slanted positioned zip.

A #8 zipper is a good compromise for the smaller size jackets, perhaps 38 and below. My original zipper on my size 42 Sheene failed within the first year, * and I had Allan replace it. I was going to get a #8, but he said it needed a #10. So, that's what he put on it. Have had no problems since–and don't anticipate any.
_______
* In defense of the zipper, it was installed incorrectly, as pointed out by @Worf several years ago. Don't know how long it would have lasted had it been done properly.