Zipper advice

• Feb 18, 2017

• #1

I would go out tonight

One of the Regulars

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176

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European Union?

Dear Loungerians

I have managed to mangle the Talon zip on an Aero LHB. I have mailed Denny about the cost of repair. Any tips on what might be a upgrade to Talon. I would prefer to be period appropriate but does not need to be NOS or anything.

Thank you in advance

 

• Feb 18, 2017

• #2

El Marro

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I just replaced the Waldes zipper on my Bootlegger with a #8 riri and it is a big improvement! The factory zipper had never worked smoothly and it broke when the jacket was still quite new. Since I had read good thing about riri zips here I decided to try one.
I picked up the repaired jacket just yesterday and I am very happy with the replacement. The new riri zipper is still a bit stiff but it feels solid, and nothing like the temperamental Waldes it replaced.
The riri #8 is available online in a variety of finishes, zipper tape colors, and zipper pulls. I went with the standard pull in silver, and I think it looks perfect on my Cordovan Bootlegger.

 

• Feb 18, 2017

• #3

bn1966

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UK

I've found Riri very reliable too

 

• Feb 21, 2017

• #4

K-Pants

One of the Regulars

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Brooklyn, NY

bn1966 said:

I've found Riri very reliable too

Click to expand...

+1

 

• Feb 21, 2017

• #5

I would go out tonight

One of the Regulars

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176

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European Union?

Thank you for the suggestions

 

• Feb 21, 2017

• #6

robrinay

One Too Many

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1,489

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Sheffield UK

An economical method would be to use a zipper track from a modern maker with your Talon puller. I've found that vintage pullers work with a number of modern tracks including YKK and Opti. They are pretty cheap on ebay. If you go for the original Aero 'US style' of fixing, with the male side of the zipper on the left any UK YKK can be reversed so that you don't see the YKK OPTI etc logo on the stopper. I recently replaced a Crown track in my Buzz Rickson L2A with a generic track that just says No 5 on the bottom stopper and used the WW2 Crown puller. Ps if anyone decides to follow my advice please make sure you match the size and check it works before you have it fitted. Lastly I've also found that sometimes you can find a zip that is pretty much identical to the existing zip so if only one side of track is damaged you only need to replace one side.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2017

• Feb 21, 2017

• #7

seres

A-List Customer

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457

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Alaska

El Marro said:

I just replaced the Waldes zipper on my Bootlegger with a #8 riri and it is a big improvement! The factory zipper had never worked smoothly and it broke when the jacket was still quite new.....

Click to expand...

Excellent idea! I'm having trouble with the factory zip on my Highwayman, and this might be a solution. I wonder if a Riri zip could be a special order on a new Aero?

 

• Feb 23, 2017

• #8

I would go out tonight

One of the Regulars

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176

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European Union?

@robinray, Many thanks that is good advice

 

• Mar 9, 2017

• #9

I would go out tonight

One of the Regulars

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176

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European Union?

Just wanted to update that the ever helpful Christine and Denny @ Aero sorted the zipper problem. A couple of pictures and Denny diagnosed a new puller. Arrived in the post and now installed and working.
I was surprised how easy it was to fit the new puller. Lovely job

 

• Mar 9, 2017

• #10

ton312

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17,133

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Chicago

I would go out tonight said:

Dear Loungerians

I have managed to mangle the Talon zip on an Aero LHB. I have mailed Denny about the cost of repair. Any tips on what might be a upgrade to Talon. I would prefer to be period appropriate but does not need to be NOS or anything.

Thank you in advance

Click to expand...

Not period correct but I love riri # 8. It's a solid ass zip and handles the heavy hides beautifully!

 

• Oct 21, 2018

• #11

F

Flightengineer

Practically Family

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581

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RF

Hi guys,
I did not find another thread about zippers so I ask here.
Help to ID this zipper.
Who is the manufacturer and what era is it?

Thanks.

 

• Oct 22, 2018

• #12

Peacoat

*

Bartender

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6,303

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South of Nashville

Flightengineer said:

Hi guys,
I did not find another thread about zippers so I ask here.
Help to ID this zipper.
Who is the manufacturer and what era is it?
Thanks.

Click to expand...

@Dinerman has a thread in the Guide section, but it only covers Talon zippers. This particular pull is not shown.

There is an old and rare book out there that identifies vintage zippers. Several years ago I located a copy in a NYC vintage book store. I immediately called the store. Unfortunately, the book had been sold.

Perhaps D'man will eventually log in, see my tag and have some idea of the make and year of this zip.

 

• Oct 22, 2018

• #13

F

Flightengineer

Practically Family

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581

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RF

Thanks for your help, @Peacoat .