Biker Jacket question

[JumpBoot]

I've noticed that they all seem to have the zipper at an angle. Can anyone tell me why that is? What does that position do that a standard vertical zipper does not?


Respectfully,

JB

 

[Seb Lucas]

Good question. Although it's only some models that do this. Many bike jackets such as the venerable cafe racer generally has a straight up and down zip.

 

[John Warr]

I've noticed that they all seem to have the zipper at an angle. Can anyone tell me why that is? What does that position do that a standard vertical zipper does not?
JB

The "lancer" front has an advantage in addition to being a fashion. With a wide overlap, it effectively gives a double layer at the front which is therefore warmer.

 

[rocketeer]

It's called a Lancer style because it resembles the old pre-20th century European military jacket that buttons up at an angle. Put Lancer uniform in Google images and you will see many examples. Crimean war, is typical, all countries armies adopted this style.
A womans jacket zips from the bottom right to the upper left, a mans from bottom left to top right.
I think the front straight zip 'Cafe Racer' style is a term made up by the modern jacket manufacturers,I may be wrong, or taken from a makers design and now a general term for a straight zip 'shirt collarless' jacket with a throat closure somtimes refered to as 'Mandarin'(Chinese)
The old British motorcyclists usually refered to as Rockers sometimes rode "Cafe racer' style motorbikes though they often wore Lancer style jackets, old Irvins, ex army jerkins etc. 'Cafe' though to be authentic is pronounced Caff and not cafey, as in Hooray(take no notice of the US TV haha, we the British invented the term )
J

 

[coloradorider]

I've noticed that they all seem to have the zipper at an angle. Can anyone tell me why that is? What does that position do that a standard vertical zipper does not?

Respectfully,

JB

Hi JB, the double layer of leather in the front of the jacket that the zipper angle supports offers a little more protection from the wind. The zipper angle also allows for more venting options so the jacket is more usable/comfortable in a wider range of temperatures. The straight zip is fine if you dress appropriately for the weather but venting options with a cafe racer are pretty much zero since the jacket will want to balloon or flap if you unzip it too far. Cheers

 

[Worf]

Thanks for asking your question. I always wondered that myself.

Worf

 

[billyb]

Yep,

zipped up = double layer for warmth

unzipped and buttoned down = venting for cooling

 

[SHOWSOMECLASS]

A very well thought out design for the time these came into use.

 

[JumpBoot]

Thanks very much for the explanation! Now it makes sense. I'm leaning towards a Schott.

 

[SHOWSOMECLASS]

Thanks very much for the explanation! Now it makes sense. I'm leaning towards a Schott.

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