Help me design a cafe racer

[Bender]

I love my RMC J-100... But I gotta say, having no hand warmers and no inside pocket *****, practically speaking. Your jeans get crammed full of wallet, phone, keys...

My perfect cafe racer would be horsehide, sharply tailored and slim fit, Buco collar, plain one-piece back with no adjusters, two zipped chest pockets, hand warmers, and at least one inside pocket. The Y'2 PR-64 is essentially perfect, but I'm just too tall for that pattern. I've tried to pull off like a Julian Casablancas/Joey Ramone fit with it, but the length is just a bridge too far...

I like both Vanson and Johnson, but if you don't ride, you'll want to also consider things like arm width with your custom build. Those are rider-based companies, and riding jackets tend to have less fitted upper arms.

 

[MrProper]

But I gotta say, having no hand warmers and no inside pocket *****, practically speaking. Your jeans get crammed full of wallet, phone, keys...

Really? I didn't order any pockets and inner pockets for mine because the look is simply cleaner. But I also only have a minimalist wallet and iphone to carry. I always have that in my trouser pockets anyway.

The Y'2 PR-64 is essentially perfect

It looks like mine from Aero.

The Y'2 PR-64 is essentially perfect, but I'm just too tall for that pattern.

I am also quite tall, but I think it still fits. But it's customized.

 

[Cortexas]

Just had a model B made as in just placed the order or you already received it? Either way sounds like a winner and it would be great to see some pictures if/when that might be possible! Also, I'm not familiar with the olympia hide and couldn't see anything on the Thurston bros page. Would you mind sharing the general specification in terms of cow/horse etc. and maybe colors in which it is offered?

-Cheers

I’ve already received it. Yes they said they had a small amount left as one of the options that Thurston provides to Vanson. I couldn’t find much info on it either but I believe in the Thirston thread there are pics of a Vanson Ike made with it. It is veg tanner steer hide. It’s got a matte black finish and is super supple and grainy. It’s also fairly thick. I believe it’s 1.4 to 1.6 mm. Virtually no break-in period at all. It was a $400 up charge. I was originally looking at sourcing my own Badalassi but that just seemed to be a bit more work than I was willing to put in at the time. I rolled the dice and I would say it turned out great. I think they only offer it in black and it is not tea core. If you’re up for it, you source any hide you like in Vanson will make a jacket out of it.