Any Love For Those Cheap Old Fidelity Leathers?

[Madhouse27]

Hard to beat the price point of the Fidelity jackets on the used market. Most seem to go in the $75-$140 range and they’re actually pretty decent jackets. I was on quite a cafe racer (I know some hate the term) hunt for awhile and had five or six come and go during the search. Kind of cool that you can buy them, wear them for a bit and get a feel for what works and what doesn’t, and then get your money right back. Here’s some that spent a little time here before continuing their journey.

 

[Hobbes1]

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1443129791/

Size 40 but more like 42.

What size you looking for? I’ll you know when I see one.

Hey thanks! I have a 46" chest and would need a jacket that would fit larger size. I typically look for 20" shoulder width and 25-26" sleeve. Not even sure these older jackets were often made this big or bigger. Still, you never know! Thanks!!

 

[Nacho]

Hard to beat the price point of the Fidelity jackets on the used market. Most seem to go in the $75-$140 range and they’re actually pretty decent jackets. I was on quite a cafe racer (I know some hate the term) hunt for awhile and had five or six come and go during the search. Kind of cool that you can buy them, wear them for a bit and get a feel for what works and what doesn’t, and then get your money right back. Here’s some that spent a little time here before continuing their journey.

Does any of yours (if you still keep ‘em) develop the red undertone similar to Justin Theroux’s jacket?

 

[barnabus]

Here's an old Fidelity that doesn't seem cheap.

VINTAGE 1940S HEAVY LEATHER FIDELITY SPORTSWEAR BIKER JACKET MADE IN USA SMALL | eBay

Strong storage musty odour/white spotting (all of which should wipe off). Zip is not functional (break). Incredible looking jacket in its raw state. Bottom of collar down back to hem - 22.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[ton312]

Mine is out for delivery. Will update the thread upon arrival. I've had a few cop coats from Fidelity and they fit really well, curious about the M/C pattern.

 

[JMax]

Here's an old Fidelity that doesn't seem cheap.

http://[URL]https://www.ebay.co.uk/...No6_JmMRci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[/URL]

Fidelity HH MC jackets are very rare, but this jacket is nasty.

 

[Observe]

Here's an old Fidelity that doesn't seem cheap.

VINTAGE 1940S HEAVY LEATHER FIDELITY SPORTSWEAR BIKER JACKET MADE IN USA SMALL | eBay

Strong storage musty odour/white spotting (all of which should wipe off). Zip is not functional (break). Incredible looking jacket in its raw state. Bottom of collar down back to hem - 22.

www.ebay.co.uk

"Breathe easy. Returns accepted."

You won't be breathing easy after inhaling all those mold spores. An utter petri dish of a jacket.

Perhaps the seller is looking to cover the medical costs associated with chronic exposure to this jacket; it would explain the price he's asking for.

 

[Will Zach]

It's been sitting at least a couple of years.

 

[ton312]

Well I’m not a fan of the IR. The pattern just doesn’t work for me. It reminds me to some degree of an egg. The body is just too bulbous. Lots of taper but just way too much gut.
The length is good but I find the body of the jacket is just a sack of sorts.

On its way back as I know I won’t wear it. Leather is actually decent. But I just don’t care for the cut at all.

 

[Will Zach]

Well I’m not a fan of the IR. The pattern just doesn’t work for me. It reminds me to some degree of an egg. The body is just too bulbous. Lots of taper but just way too much gut.
The length is good but I find the body of the jacket is just a sack of sorts. View attachment 536947 View attachment 536948
On its way back as I know I won’t wear it. Leather is actually decent. But I just don’t care for the cut at all.

The back looks pretty good actually, but the front is hanging a bit.

 

[ton312]

The back looks pretty good actually, but the front is hanging a bit.

Yeah there’s no shape to it at all. Just a sack jacket. I’d say for $70 it’s a great buy, but I’d rather have two pizzas than this jacket so I’ll get my $70 back and parlay the funds into a couple Jet’s pies. LOL. I do feel the spark for a cross zip again, this just ain’t it. Reminds me very much of Hh and his beetle egg jacket.

 

[Will Zach]

Yeah there’s no shape to it at all. Just a sack jacket. I’d say for $70 it’s a great buy, but I’d rather have two pizzas than this jacket so I’ll get my $70 back and parlay the funds into a couple Jet’s pies. LOL. I do feel the spark for a cross zip again, this just ain’t it. Reminds me very much of Hh and his beetle egg jacket.

A nice grainy 80s Vanson C2 has your name on it. Wait, it really does, you had it and sold it...

 

[ton312]

A nice grainy 80s Vanson C2 has your name on it. Wait, it really does, you had it and sold it...

That’s the thing. Looking back. How can I be happy with this Fidelity given….

To name a few. I didn’t keep any of these so why on earth would I keep the Fidelity? I think cross zips in particular are a style I just can’t quite be very happy with. I can’t figure it out. I love the style but can’t seem to settle into it.

 

[Bad Guitarist]

Yeah there’s no shape to it at all. Just a sack jacket. I’d say for $70 it’s a great buy, but I’d rather have two pizzas than this jacket so I’ll get my $70 back and parlay the funds into a couple Jet’s pies. LOL. I do feel the spark for a cross zip again, this just ain’t it. Reminds me very much of Hh and his beetle egg jacket.

While I'm a big fan of their Cafe jackets, their Brando style coats don't seem to fit anywhere near as well on me.

 

[JMax]

Yeah there’s no shape to it at all. Just a sack jacket. I’d say for $70 it’s a great buy, but I’d rather have two pizzas than this jacket so I’ll get my $70 back and parlay the funds into a couple Jet’s pies. LOL. I do feel the spark for a cross zip again, this just ain’t it. Reminds me very much of Hh and his beetle egg jacket.

The beetle egg lol. The Vanson, Bates and LW have the mojo. I can’t wait for this TX summer to be in the rear view. I miss my LWs.

 

[ton312]

I’ll try one of these again. Cheap cycle champ

 

[JMax]

@ton312 You got me thinking of my Fidelity. Quick snap shot prior to my heading out. I was going to say I am more squat than you, being a few inches shorter, bit eff that, I’m more compact lol.

I wish the Steerhide version was still in my closet. To compare with this one. I think my brudda has it now.

 

[ton312]

@ton312 You got me thinking of my Fidelity. Quick snap shot prior to my heading out. I was going to say I am more squat than you, being a few inches shorter, bit eff that, I’m more compact lol.

View attachment 537050


I wish the Steerhide version was still in my closet. To compare with this one. I think my brudda has it now.

That looks far more tailored through the body! Also, at least 10x better leather.

 

[JMax]

That looks far more tailored through the body! Also, at least 10x better leather.

This Fidelity HH is one of my favorites. A bit of a sheen, nice water resistance, nice grain potential and the red undertones.

Similar finish to the steer versions I owned but not overly done, at least on this hide.

 

[ton312]

This Fidelity HH is one of my favorites. A bit of a sheen, nice water resistance, nice grain potential and the red undertones.

Similar finish to the steer versions I owned but not overly done, at least on this hide.

Better collar too. The one I sent back was really small.