Aero B-3 on a motorcycle?

Terry le Pirat · Aug 17, 2010

Hi, i use an Eastman B-3 when riding my 1942 BSA M20, have not tried in winter yet though. I even sometimes use a pair of original A-3 trousers, they add a bit of extra damping to my rear end

Will try this winter if there is no snow, perhaps i can finaly find use for my A-6 flying boots although perhaps a bit thick for changing gears

A bit bulky with the pants, but great for riding, and surpisingly, not to warm even on warm days although i unzip the trousers rather fast when dismounting...

The cuffs are no problem riding with either gloves with nitted cuffs (A-10) or old motorcycle gloves witch extends over the jacket.
Of course not as safe as modern jacket/gear, but i like the feel and look, and on a M20 there will be no record speeds...

Cheers, Jerry

captaincaveman1 · Aug 17, 2010

There's always this option if your object is to keep warm with a degree of safety:

Fletch · Aug 17, 2010

I would think the Lost Worlds B-2, which is very heavy HH, would be nearly ideal for winter biking. The very high collar would work well in combination with a helmet, assuming you could fasten it at all (the hide is that stiff).

Peacoat · Aug 18, 2010

Without a windshield I don't think anything will keep you warm in winter riding. It has been suggested before, and I concur, that you should get a windshield and a heated vest (or jacket--I have both) as well as heated socks and gloves for those days when the temps are in the 40s and below. I have a lot of experience in winter riding, and for me, that is the only way to keep warm. Good luck, cold weather is on its way!

WolfeMan · Aug 18, 2010

The ANJ-4 looks good too, it has knit storm cuffs in the sleeves, which might help keep the wind out? Perhaps you could wear a heavy leather vest underneath it in case you take a spill. Good luck
Wolfe

Stearmen · Aug 18, 2010

B3 And Snow

I used to wear an original B3 in winter while ridding back in the early 70s! It was worm right down to below freezing. I would even ride in the snow on the streets, didn't even bother to buy a car until I was 21! Oh, to be young and dumn. I still get by with a modern liner under my Barbour or leather jacket, but I broke down and bought a pair of Harley heated gloves, no thermostat, when it's that cold you want full power!

gyrobroyeur · Aug 18, 2010

my 2 cents...

I use to ride in winter with my ALC irvin. The B3 design is close, but with a pocket that is very usefull for riding.
This shearling is the warmest jacket i own. Off course, it isn't as strong as a modern armoured jacket, but it give me good security feeling (it's not the case with my A2 or G1...) It's bulky, so it feels like a natural airbag

The only problem is during hard rainy days: the collar keeps water and takes a long time to dry.

xt40 · Aug 18, 2010

i dont ride motorbikes but do have an aero b3 and an elc irvin.
the irvin design would probably suit you better as it has armpit gussets built in and as such is far less restrictive than a b-3. the b-3 on the other hand has the hh covers on the arms which would definitely be a plus on a bike. Theres a british tv presenter on discovery called chris barrie who has a jacket which seems to be a hybrid of the 2 designs. functionally, that would be the ideal compromise although his one is about 6 inches tool long in the body and imo just looks wrong.

doctor dan · Aug 18, 2010

In the 60's I would wear my B-3 with my cut off jean jacket that had my motorcyle patches and chains on it over my B-3. I road a knucklehead straight leg frame with a springer front end with a 12 inch extension. It gets cold in Chicago but the jacket kept me warm. I think if you layer properly you will not have a problem. The only problem I had was correct gloves to keep the wind from blowing up the sleves. Guantlet type gloves work the best because you can put them over the sleves. In Illinois you do not have to wear a helmet so at least here choice of head gear is optional. I always go with Navy surplus wool caps. Now I have a springer soft tail and am older and wiser so when the tempeture falls below 60 its put away.

H.Johnson · Aug 18, 2010

I've ridden a lot in winter in a B-3 and an RAF sheepskin jacket. Neither will keep you completely warm, but both would produce a livable temperature unless you are somewhere really cold.

As Doctor Dan implies, the trick is to keep the wind out. The windflap does OK with this on both styles, but the sleeves (particularly the B-3) need a gauntlet glove. The weak point on both is the collar, which could get you killed. If you starp up the collar tight to keep out the wind, it restricts your head movement, So you can't see behind or to the side. Ans your mirrors (if you have them) are probably frozen. So, you're reasonably warm, but you're unreasonably dead.

Don't try it at home...

DBLIII · Aug 18, 2010

H.Johnson said:
I've ridden a lot in winter in a B-3 and an RAF sheepskin jacket. Neither will keep you completely warm, but both would produce a livable temperature unless you are somewhere really cold.

As Doctor Dan implies, the trick is to keep the wind out. The windflap does OK with this on both styles, but the sleeves (particularly the B-3) need a gauntlet glove. The weak point on both is the collar, which could get you killed. If you starp up the collar tight to keep out the wind, it restricts your head movement, So you can't see behind or to the side. Ans your mirrors (if you have them) are probably frozen. So, you're reasonably warm, but you're unreasonably dead.

Don't try it at home...

Mr. Johnson - thanks. Agreed with you (and others) on the gloves, but I have a set of original Harley shearling mittens with cowhide "overgloves" for lack of a better term, they have huge gauntlets on them. Despite the good advice of others on heated clothing, I'm still not un-sold on a B-3. And I figure a scarf can take care of the wind coming in from the collar. I'm not looking at 70 mph riding, up here it's 40 miles an hour maximum due to all the critters on the road. Armor isn't a concern, I've had bad wrecks, so if I don't make it, such is life. Cold, though, is definitely a problem. Even last night, it reached 50 degrees F and despite several layers of clothing (and prayers for warmth), I just about froze.
The quest continues....

Stearmen · Aug 19, 2010

DBLIII said:
Mr. Johnson - thanks. Agreed with you (and others) on the gloves, but I have a set of original Harley shearling mittens with cowhide "overgloves" for lack of a better term, they have huge gauntlets on them. Despite the good advice of others on heated clothing, I'm still not un-sold on a B-3. And I figure a scarf can take care of the wind coming in from the collar. I'm not looking at 70 mph riding, up here it's 40 miles an hour maximum due to all the critters on the road. Armor isn't a concern, I've had bad wrecks, so if I don't make it, such is life. Cold, though, is definitely a problem. Even last night, it reached 50 degrees F and despite several layers of clothing (and prayers for warmth), I just about froze.
The quest continues....

Like I said, try to find one of the new miracle insulated liners, they are very thin, but incredibly warm! I wounder if the ski shops have some kind of zip front liner?

Dudleydoright · Aug 19, 2010

No flight jacket was ever designed with abrasion protection in mind.

However, I use my ELC Cable goatskin A-2 often on my bike in summer. I know it doesn't have armour or any of the other features of a modern motorcycle jacket. I know the risks and I make an informed choice. So can you.

Ride safe.

Dave

EDITED to add: Jeez, you think 50 F is cold ?????

H.Johnson · Aug 19, 2010

Dave,

I'm with you! What's cold in one place isn't in another. Even in F-scale, I'm sure you call that 'mild'!

I would think that a B-3 with horsehide sleeve panels would at least look after your elbows in a mild 'spill'.

Nighthawk · Aug 19, 2010

BTW, in the old Irvin thread someone posted a pic of an original Irvin that had the symbol of a motorcycle club painted on it, thus implying that the jacket was used post-war on a bike.

NH

Dudleydoright · Aug 20, 2010

I know for a fact that Irvins were used on motorbikes post war.

But, rather like my A-2 , should you come off the bike, don't expect the protection or any likelihood that you'll get any further use from said jacket !

Aero FQHH jackets make good bike jackets too and I have read of several riders who have come off wearing them and the damage is hard to see. FQHH is very abrasion resistant. Way more so than cow or goat. But without protection you will not get the impact resistance. You will be dead but at least the jacket will look good ! ;-)

Like I said; personal choices and personal freedoms.

Dave

alfyman · Aug 28, 2010

B 3 on a Motorcycle

I just bought a similar jacket from Cirrus jackets in the UK, the Huricane jacket.

Edward · Aug 28, 2010

Dudleydoright said:
I know for a fact that Irvins were used on motorbikes post war.

But, rather like my A-2 , should you come off the bike, don't expect the protection or any likelihood that you'll get any further use from said jacket !

Yeah, that is true.... I think the kind of bike you ride and typical speeds should be taken into consideration - bikes were a lot smaller and slower, on average back in the Forties; taking a spill then was a whole nother ballgame than off a modern bike!

captaincaveman1 · Aug 29, 2010

Edward said:
Yeah, that is true.... I think the kind of bike you ride and typical speeds should be taken into consideration - bikes were a lot smaller and slower, on average back in the Forties; taking a spill then was a whole nother ballgame than off a modern bike!

So true... and where you ride makes a difference. Back in the old days most roads were single lane routes that often hugged the contoours of the land. Most modern roads, at least stateside, are graded and designed with safer, bigger radii as well as better sightlines. All of this results in roads that can be navigated at a faster pace. Of course, I still prefer the older roads. Off camber, blind turns are fun on a moto.lol

celtic · Aug 31, 2010

I ride up until they sale the roads here in upstate NY. (usually November)

I usually ride down into the high 20's unless there's been snow or any kind of moisture...I've hit black ice and had the bike slide sideways and didn't like the feeling. So I try to refrain from riding unless it's dry when it's that cold.

I don't use a windshield, but I use electric gloves. I HATE when my hands are going numb...it's dangerous and IMHO, stupid. Of course I have it happen once or twice a season when I don't use the electric gloves. I really need to get a windshield or fairing, I just hate them.lol

I own a b3 and thought about using it, but like others have said, there are much better options. I have a couple of thinsulate, goretex coats that I use.

edit:
I would also worry about how I would clean the b3 after it got all grimy from the road. It's not the rain and snow, it's the mist that the cars around you throw up with their tires I am talking about...My gear gets all nasty so I like how easy to clean the motorcycle-specific textile stuff..

cheers

Aero B-3 on a motorcycle?

New in Town

A-List Customer

I'll Lock Up

*

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

Familiar Face

Familiar Face

New in Town

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

I'll Lock Up

A-List Customer

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

A-List Customer

One of the Regulars

A-List Customer

A-List Customer

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics