Custom Vanson Chopper - It has Arrived!

jpk_NJ · May 16, 2019

Wanted to share a few pics of the final product and thank the forum for providing input/opinions in my previous thread while I was hashing out the details. Like many addicts here, I can be indecisive ocd about the custom jacket process and having others to hear you out greatly helps. Thanks to all who chimed in

The crew at Vanson truly outdid themselves on this one and the customer service was beyond excellent. Wait time from order to delivery was also pretty accurate.

On to the pics...

Size 42 Comp Weight

The red quilted lining is the only slight hiccup not as specced (black rayon) and I was informed of this before it shipped. Vanson quickly said they will swap it out for the correct lining if I want. The quilt will definitely be a bit toasty for NJ riding weather but Im almost afraid to jinx myself and let this out of my hands. Thoughts??

ton312 · May 16, 2019

jpk_NJ said:
Wanted to share a few pics of the final product and thank the forum for providing input/opinions in my previous thread while I was hashing out the details. Like many addicts here, I can be indecisive ocd about the custom jacket process and having others to hear you out greatly helps. Thanks to all who chimed in

The crew at Vanson truly outdid themselves on this one and the customer service was beyond excellent. Wait time from order to delivery was also pretty accurate.

On to the pics...

Size 42 Comp Weight
View attachment 168939 View attachment 168940 View attachment 168941 View attachment 168942

The red quilted lining is the only slight hiccup not as specced (black rayon) and I was informed of this before it shipped. Vanson quickly said they will swap it out for the correct lining if I want. The quilt will definitely be a bit toasty for NJ riding weather but Im almost afraid to jinx myself and let this out of my hands. Thoughts??

I wouldn’t swap out the lining. It looks spectacular. Plus when it’s too cold to scoot you can still use the jacket. I love it.

b1lf · May 16, 2019

wow, what an oversight on a custom jacket! (red quilt lining)

Jacket looks great man - what was the total lead time? Fit pics?
I'm actually considering a Model E or Chopper or ? now...

Bfd70 · May 17, 2019

The jacket looks super cool and will age to a really unique custom piece.

Regarding the lining, ummmmm it looks cool but is about 180 degrees from what you’d asked for. I wouldn’t be ok woth that or a lining swap which inevitably means extra needle holes. Sorry, but this is on them and they owe you a new jacket. If you’re asking us then you’re not gaga over it and it will eat at you until you sell it here in 18 months.

El Marro · May 17, 2019

Beautiful jacket man, I see that the time you took asking questions and figuring out all of the details really paid off because this one looks great!
Regarding the lining, the quilted red is what comes standard on the Chopper and I think it’s Part of what makes this model stand out from the crowd. It looks amazing and if you hadn’t pointed out that it was a mistake no one ever would have thought to ask
On the other hand my jacket brothers are correct that this was a rather large mistake by the folks at Vanson. Bfd70 is also right that if this is the kind of thing that bothers you from the start it is not going to get better with time. I love the red lining but if it’s not what you wanted then you should send it back and have them make it right.

JMax · May 17, 2019

Jacket came out great! Really cool. The quilted red lining may be more practical in NJ but that is your call.

lucky23 · May 17, 2019

The lining is gorgeous if you ask me...

jpk_NJ · May 17, 2019

Lead time was around 2mths but Im sure this changes depending on time of year.

I can totally see how the lining oversight happened, given that 99.9% of Choppers are standard with that red quilt and my order had a few revisions. Doesn't bug me visually at all, just more of the functional side with it being warmer / not as tough as the black rayon lining. Need to sleep on it for a couple days.

Guppy · May 17, 2019

I would insist they remake it, not replace the liner. This sort of inattentiveness should have been corrected before it ever came to your attention, frankly. "No compromises!" is the Vanson motto.

If they do remake, then it should be fast tracked, not another 2 month wait.

Psant25 · May 17, 2019

I like it the way it is. Less layering. I do agree as well though if you want it swapped it should be a total remake.

jacketjunkie · May 17, 2019

The jacket looks spectacular, and that is partly due to the red lining. Unless you live in a place where it is very hot most months of the year, I wouldn't return it but in fact be secretly thankful it turned up with the red lining and not with the black one. My Vansons have the standard black rayon and there's nothing special about it it at all except it is so coarse it tears away my skin at the elbows when I wear a shortsleeve.

Jejupe · May 17, 2019

Lovely jacket! I really like the white contrast stitching! If the lining bugs you now, it will most probably bug you even more in the future. If you decide to keep it as it is, at least try to agree with Vanson that you can send it for re-lining during next year or so, if it keeps bugging you.

Edward · May 17, 2019

Jejupe said:
Lovely jacket! I really like the white contrast stitching! If the lining bugs you now, it will most probably bug you even more in the future. If you decide to keep it as it is, at least try to agree with Vanson that you can send it for re-lining during next year or so, if it keeps bugging you.

THat's a probably the best idea re the lining here. TBH, with all the bike jackets I'v e owned over the years, the only time I really notice all that much of a difference was when it became too hot to wear leather at all, really. (And if my pillion experience at least is anything to go by, once you're up over 30mph, unless you ride a bike with serious fairing, you'll appreciate the quilting, even in 24C heat.

Warmth aside, the lining looks great; reminds me of the red quilt lining in the classic Lewises. I like the contrast stitching on the exterior, gives it almost a 'Tron' vibe. Be interesting to see how that wears in over time. Overall, the Chopper is a very modern-classic design, exactly the sort of jacket I used to see motorcyclists wearing in Ireland and the UK back in the late 70s, into the early eighties. Also a style which has regained popularity in a big way on the retro-custom bike scene in recent years. Looks great.

dubpynchon · May 17, 2019

I like the lining, mine has it and I think it makes it a bit more unique. I find it doesn't add much heat as mine is a fairly short jacket, barely covering my belt. The contrast stitching on yours looks cool.

ksozay · May 17, 2019

Jacket came out beautifully! Does this mean octo is ready to be sold to me?!

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Mich486 · May 17, 2019

I like the quilted lining and I think it makes a nice contrast!

I can just imagine the pressure on the machinist while sewing this, a stitch out of line and you have to start again!!!

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jpk_NJ · May 17, 2019

ksozay said:
Jacket came out beautifully! Does this mean octo is ready to be sold to me?!

I don't have any Octagon Vansons, but the stout Hardcore 42 (rayon lined) I picked up from JMax "might" be up for sale. Depends on how my rotation changes now that the Chopper has landed.

Mich486 said:

I like the quilted lining and I think it makes a nice contrast!

I can just imagine the pressure on the machinist while sewing this, a stitch out of line and you have to start again!!!

This is exactly why Im trying not to push my luck with a redo. Apart from a few minor spots, the contrast stitch turned out extremely well on this one. In my experience, Vanson is not Aero when it comes to fashion/casual jackets and is not for the stitch police. I knew that going in and rolled the dice anyway since this was primarily for on bike use.

Click to expand...

ksozay · May 17, 2019

Ha! My bad, some days I get you two mixed up.

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JMax · May 17, 2019

ksozay said:
Ha! My bad, some days I get you two mixed up.

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I was going to say. And btw, get your own.

ksozay · May 17, 2019

But yours is perfectly broken in and the patina is stunning. You can’t just buy that, it’s not the same.

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