Ultimate Summer Cafe Racer

I'm on a quest to build the perfect summer riding jacket. I have multiple, actually too many, leather jackets. All of these get quite hot in the summer sun. My requirements for the perfect hot weather jacket are that it be white to reflect thermal energy and fully perforated with integrated body armor. Well that part's easy. Plenty off the rack jackets fit this bill. Problem is, none of these have a vintage look to them - they all look too "power-ranger" for me, if you get my drift. Or, they're festooned with ridiculously large logos.

So what I want is a classic cafe racer style jacket but with the features I listed above. Fortunately, Spartan Leathers offers custom work. Basically Dave, the owner, can build you anything you want and the prices are pretty reasonable since it's done off-shore (Pakistan?). Figured I spread the word around here in case others are looking for custom moto gear too. http://www.spartanleathers.com/

Quality looks good depending on how you measure that. Judging from the crash reports I've read, these garments hold up very well. Seams in impact areas are triple stitched and taped and others are double stitched.

Here's a spec list of what will be built:

> modeled after the cafe racer style jacket (e.g. 141 or Style-B)
> two slash pockets with zipper closure at the front
> two interior chest wallet pockets
> minimal seams so one-piece, single panel back
> shoulder, elbow, back armor
> zip cuffs
> mesh interior liner
> mandarin collar with button closure
> adjustable cinch straps at waist
> No logos on the exterior
> bi-swing back
> brass main zipper
> full perforations in white cow hide
> 8" universal zipper in rear so I can zip to riding pants

When I get the jacket I'll post pics here for you folks. Should take a few weeks at least to build.

CC... you are the Power Ranger! lol

More power to you and I look forward to seeing the result!

remind us ... what is that sexy bike you ride ... is it a Ducatti? I can't remember but I can stand to see it again ...... please post!

Vanson makes a perforated cop jacket.

Sure Speedbird.

Actually I have two brit bikes. Power ranger gear has its appropriate place and use. I must admit I do own a power range suit or two for riding this bike around the track.











This is the one that gets ridden more day to day on the street. Less than 1/2 the hp but just as much fun:

The second one ... is that the Triumph Thruxton?

Speedbird said:

The second one ... is that the Triumph Thruxton?

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Bingo.

You can get any lewis leathers made in white

You can get any lewis leathers bespoke made in white. That would go with your Triumph during the summer. Downside is Lewis has no armor, made vintage style as they did many years ago. They do have models with reinforced shoulders and elbows, however. Good luck.

P5640blouson said:

You can get any lewis leathers bespoke made in white. That would go with your Triumph during the summer. Downside is Lewis has no armor, made vintage style as they did many years ago. They do have models with reinforced shoulders and elbows, however. Good luck.

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Lewis is way out of my price range. Plus, this jacket will be subjected to all manner of abuse from me, my motorcycles, and millions of NJ's nastiest bugs. Would be a shame to put a Lewis through that. Put it this way, I give this jacket one year tops before it turns from white to tan.lol

captaincaveman1 said:

This is the one that gets ridden more day to day on the street. Less than 1/2 the hp but just as much fun:

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Now that is a proper ultimate Cafe Racer .... it looks so cool in black ... the picture on the Triumph website of it in red looking all European is just not for me .... but this is the bees knees! Love it!

Speedbird said:

Now that is a proper ultimate Cafe Racer .... it looks so cool in black ... the picture on the Triumph website of it in red looking all European is just not for me .... but this is the bees knees! Love it!

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Thanks. I've owned many bikes but this one has received the most compliments. Usually its older guys who remember the original bonneville from their youth.

First thing they usually ask is, "What year is that bike?".

captaincaveman1 said:

Thanks. I've owned many bikes but this one has received the most compliments. Usually its older guys who remember the original bonneville from their youth.

First thing they usually ask is, "What year is that bike?".

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hey! I am not old! well, not really...not yet! lol lol lol

As for the guys who notice - what they are remembering is the phenomenon we discussed in the cafe racer jacket thread - the late 50's/early 60's bikers would strip their bikes (a Bonneville or Tiger or whatever), put on drop bars and create the look of your Thruxton ... your bike is so right as a repro of a bygone era, it is like a Good Wear A-2 ....lol

Anyway, what you need is lewis leather boots, dark denim jeans and a proper jacket and pudding basin lid for that bike .... to hell with the white Captain Scarlet jacket and sci-fi lid! lol lol lol

Speedbird said:

Anyway, what you need is lewis leather boots, dark denim jeans and a proper jacket and pudding basin lid for that bike .... to hell with the white Captain Scarlet jacket and sci-fi lid! lol lol lol

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Aye, I have some classic style leather jackets and occasionally go out in jeans rather than leather or textile riding gear. But I always wear a full face rather than the classic pudding bowl - safety first!

As for the white captain snowman jacket comment... lol this will be reserved for warm days over 80. I just can't stand another summer riding around in black leather. Slowly I'm shifting my riding gear away from that color toward more visible and cooler colors. It's both safer cuz other motorists can see you better and easier on my sweat glands.

BTW, here's one more pic of the thruxton when it was new and shiny.

Just got back from a ride out to Pa. and its already too hot for leathers. I have a Vanson thats perforated, similar to a Manx. Im going to have to break that out already.

Aaagh! I feel a mid-life crisis coming on...

captaincaveman1 said:

BTW, here's one more pic of the thruxton when it was new and shiny.

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Gorgeous! and a great backdrop too .... hard to know it is modern!

And for Pip .... another one?

And for Pip .... another one?

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Touché. Admittedly I've been having them since my early twenties...

OK - tailor approved the custom design. I should expect the jacket in 6-7 weeks.

So, expect an update in about two months - just in time for June's hot summer riding weather. I also ordered a white full face to match the jacket. Hopefully between the jacket and helmet I won't sweat like a pig when out and about this summer.