One of the lucky few who can make the sleeve length on that model actually work. Looks perfect!
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Post Pics of Your Cafe Racer Jackets
- Thread starter jchosko
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Rev-O
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Thanks. A bit of looking around suggests it's a Fidelity. Much appreciated
AbbaDatDeHat
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Thanks for responding SB.Hi,
The Grey Ghost is still hanging around. I love that it is grey. When I wore it a few times I noticed that is was significantly cooler than a black jacket. I got an Aerostich Roadcrafter in grey also for that exact reason. Works great. Also I think it was made in the 1960s (not sure about that. Any ideas are welcome).
It might be stupid to some but I like the strange coincidence that it might be made in my decade, the auction ended on my birthday (funny you ask only two days after my birthday), and it was literally everything I was looking/hoping for in a Langlitz Cascade, including grey. AND it fits pretty good. It's a miracle.
I wore it a few times but I was always a little worried about it because it seems a bit brittle.
Unfortunately it's super dry and the threads have started to fail. An elbow pad has started to come off and the seam of one of the cuffs has started to split up the sleeve. So it's semi-retired now. I dream of riding up to Langlitz in person and having them restore & repair it so I can wear it regularly.
The other two I show above are my normal jackets. I just wore the one with the Crown main zip (maybe from the 1970s? Or is that Talon at that point?) the other day when I made a video. It's soft and feels fine. I've washed and conditioned all of them.
Thank you for asking,
Cheers
I recall that auction and the heartbreak that ensued after the price blew by me!
I enjoyed the story post too. I was hoping you did have it repaired by Langlitz, i bet they would love to see it and work on it.
I’m glad the Gray Ghost lives. I imagine it’s a one and only of old.
Thanks
Bowen
sweetfights
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Here they are. Thanks for your interest.
I would be interested to hear any opinions on the date of these. In general I'm guessing 1960s but if you think it might be another decade I'd like to learn why. Thanks.
Here are a few pix of the goatskin Cascade. It fits pretty good but the picture was out of focus so I did not post it.
The main zip. The cuff zips.
Some of the fine white dots are nicks and cuts in the leather. Most are paint over spray. I saw some of that in the ad but it didn't look too bad. When it showed up there seemed to be a lot more. For a second I thought it was too much. Then I said to myself, "Who am I kidding?" I'm an artist and a lot of my clothes have paint markings on them. Pants, boots, jackets, shirts. Honestly this is probably doing me a favor...
What I wore today.
I was interested in this one because of the measurements and the back pinstripes. I thought it might fit better than some of the others. I seem to be learning my measurements by trail and error. I like vintage jackets and gear in general that sort of have a history and story. The seller said it was from the 1960s with a Coats Clark main zip and Conmatic cuff zips. There were no close-up pictures of the zippers. He mentioned there were two pockets inside with the left one zippered.
I was fairly eager but decided to bid a reasonable price and was not going to get too upset if I lost this one. When I won I noticed that it took every penny of my bid! So someone must have bid just below me by a few dollars? I went back and looked at the ad to see when it was shipping and just to look at the jacket while it was on it's way. I never noticed until about day three of shipping that the jacket does not have any pockets on the outside!
Uhh... well I guess that's okay. I don't usually use them too much anyway since I don't like the way my wallet or lighter, etc. push out the leather usually. Now that it's here I'm liking it more and more and I really like the back even though I never get to see it. The leather is incredibly soft and has a bit of stretch to it. Perhaps it's a an extra light weight version.
Where is the goatskin Cascade from above photos and how many Langlitz Cascades do you have? That goat looks amazing!
Thanks for taking the time to post these photos.
They are 25” or 25.5” along the curve. That’s a whole inch longer than on most vintage jackets. Just where I like ‘em
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Gamma68
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One of the signs of a Fidelity is the chain loop above the label for hanging the jacket. This one lacks that detail, and the leather doesn’t seem like Fidelity. I think it’s another brand.
Superfluous
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Good eye Jeff, you're right about that. I suspect per the other thread it's a Beau Breed or could be excelled but leaning toward the Beau.
And a good 2" too short for me...I tried that jacket in a 44" and a 46" and the sleeves were still too short. If I ever I find one of those in a long I won't hesitate. Best pattern Schott ever had for a CR.They are 25” or 25.5” along the curve. That’s a whole inch longer than on most vintage jackets. Just where I like ‘em
Rev-O
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Latest consensus seem to be it's a Beau Breed . . . . Thanks for your input, much appreciated
AbbaDatDeHat
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That hide speaks....!!!
I can almost feel it drape and smell it’s leatheressence!
Fortunate you are Mike!
B
I think both have a good fit regarding the body, however arms are a little too long for my taste.
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sweetfights
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Actually both appear to fit and look great.
I believe now it is a style choice.
The cafe racer is more versatile in the real world. The cross zip looks great but sends a different message depending on social context.
Thanks for your reply. I agree. The sleeves are also a little too long for my taste. Every Schott jacket I tried on, I have this issue. They say is because if you ride a motorcycle and raise your arms to the handles it provides the needed coverage. I would be looking for a leather tailor to take up the sleeves should I purchase one of these jackets.
I agree with you about the versatility of the cafe racer. I am really leaning towards it over the cross zip but man, I have really been drawn to the cross zip lately. What kind of message do you normally feel it sends?
sweetfights
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That cross zip looks exceptional on you. The fit and style. I found socially, on a man, the cross zip, especially of high quality and not a pseudo cross zip mall jacket, you get some people mentally assessing you. Not that you should care one way or another but being aware of how some people think can be a factor in some situations. I thought my LW cross zip looked great on me but I concluded I wanted an "everything" jacket. A jacket I could ride in or wear anywhere.
roadking04
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I would go with the cross zip. I think it is has a little more edge than the racer.
Thank you. I know what you mean. I have been also thinking about what would be the best “everything jacket” for my purposes.
Thanks. It’s a tough decision. I really like the cross zip but it is edgier than maybe what I am used to and that is causing me some hesitation as I felt it didn’t look good on me or just too edgy on me. I see others with it and think...damn I want a jacket like that. Definitely an investment piece and want to make the best choice. Thanks for your feedback.
