Buying a motorcycle... what do I do with my fedora?!

Mountaineer Lasher · Post by **Mountaineer Lasher** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:36 am

Well, like it says in the subject, I'm buying a motorcycle ('82 Yamaha XJ Maxim 1100, for those who are interested) and am concerned about traveling with my fedora. Obviously I have to wear a helmet, so what do I do with my fedora? Shove it in a saddlebag? Will that hurt it?

Right now I've got an Akubra Fed Standard, but I've got an AB on the way.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:01 am

i have a motorcycle too. i would not be pleased with shoving an akubra or an ab in a saddlebag/tank bag or what have you. that would be baseball cap time imo. you could also check to see some crushable alternatives if you are set on wearing a fedora when the helmet comes off......or you can beat the heck out of your akubra (as it will take the beating) if you don't mind it not looking pristine anymore or holding the exact shape that you want it.....after all, you have an ab on the way

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:30 am

Get a hardshell carrier - problem solved

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:21 am

That won't work for my Lotus 7.

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:59 am

get a hardshell carrier, duct tape it to your back and problem solved....kinda

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:33 am

I don't think so.

Mountaineer Lasher · Post by **Mountaineer Lasher** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:08 am

Indiana G wrote:or you can beat the heck out of your akubra (as it will take the beating) if you don't mind it not looking pristine anymore or holding the exact shape that you want it.....after all, you have an ab on the way

I thought about this, actually. I've heard that Akubra's are renowned for keeping their shape, though.

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:32 am

Believe it or not, check with Jimmie Pierce (JPDesign) and talk to him about this.

He makes and sells a metal travel hat carrier that might be adaptable to mount on a motorcycle, depending on the size of your bike.

Regards! Michaelson

interbak · Post by **interbak** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:52 am

Since your Maxim is kind of a cruiser style, a travel trunk, or hard saddle bags would look out of place. However, there are lots of large heavy leather sissy bar bags at the after market shops that should hold their shape and protect your hat. You could easily make up some sort of bracket to hold it by the crown so the weight of the hat isn't resting on the brim.

Brian

WeeMadHamish · Post by **WeeMadHamish** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:16 am

Chin strap.

Andymac84 · Post by **Andymac84** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:50 am

I agree with Hamish

use a chin strap.or store it in a sidecar ;-)

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:46 am

maybe you could use a tacker like Ford

Fedoraman · Post by **Fedoraman** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:50 pm

NEVER RIDE WITHOUT A HELMET!

Please!

I have seen first hand the kind of devestation that can happen from head injuries from not wearing a helmet.

WEAR A HELMET!

Get a hard case to carry your fedora. Be safe first and worry about "the look" second.

Mountaineer Lasher · Post by **Mountaineer Lasher** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:02 pm

Fedoraman wrote:NEVER RIDE WITHOUT A HELMET!

Please!

I have seen first hand the kind of devestation that can happen from head injuries from not wearing a helmet.

WEAR A HELMET!

Get a hard case to carry your fedora. Be safe first and worry about "the look" second.

WV law states I have to wear a helmet, not that I wouldn't anyway, I'm just saying. I have no intention of riding without a helmet.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:45 am

So, ML, you have turned to the Mutt side of the force...

Mountaineer Lasher · Post by **Mountaineer Lasher** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:02 am

Canyon wrote:So, ML, you have turned to the Mutt side of the force...

No, Canyon dearest, I'm just finally purchasing something that I've wanted for years. Though don't think that didn't cross my mind. Haha. I just can't get into the whole "greaser" concept, though (I hated the movie Grease).

Incidentally, here's a couple pics of my bike (as taken by the seller)...

http://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/d0/6c/2751_12.JPG
http://i1.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/d0/6c/3173_12.JPG
http://i22.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/d0/6c/374f_12.JPG
http://i20.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/d0/6c/41ff_12.JPG

(Moderator Edit: Left other pics as links since it doesn't really pertain to hats.

)

Post by **Dalexs** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:13 am

First, if you're riding a motorcycle, don't carry your fedora with you, you'll look like a goof ball.

If you have to, attach a chin strap, and drape it over that sissy bar thing on the back and let it flop in the breeze.

When I ride my VFR, I go in motorcycle dress mode. I don't combine things. It's not worth the hassle.

Mountaineer Lasher · Post by **Mountaineer Lasher** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:21 pm

Dalexs wrote:First, if you're riding a motorcycle, don't carry your fedora with you, you'll look like a goof ball.

If you have to, attach a chin strap, and drape it over that sissy bar thing on the back and let it flop in the breeze.

When I ride my VFR, I go in motorcycle dress mode. I don't combine things. It's not worth the hassle.

It took me a while, but I finally understand what everyone is thinking: everyone thinks I'm trying to ride in my Indy gear! I'm not. I just want to know how to travel on a motorcycle while packing my fedora so I can wear it when I get to my final destination. I don't like hard cases, so it looks like my options are limited.

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:07 am

You could also get a hatbox and pack it in a softcase. But that would be pretty big and awkward.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:19 am

Like I said above, contact JPDesign and see if he has any ideas to fabricate something for you. He's made these kind of boxes for folks to mount in pickup beds for several years now, and this might be an interesting project for him to contemplate.

Regards! Michaelson

Mountaineer Lasher · Post by **Mountaineer Lasher** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:26 am

Mysterious Moderator wrote:(Moderator Edit: Left other pics as links since it doesn't really pertain to hats. )

Thanks!

Michaelson wrote:Like I said above, contact JPDesign and see if he has any ideas to fabricate something for you. He's made these kind of boxes for folks to mount in pickup beds for several years now, and this might be an interesting project for him to contemplate.

Regards! Michaelson

I'm gonna look into that, Michaelson. Thanks! This'll be especially useful if I can get my AB before I go home for leave at the end of March.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:20 pm

Mountaineer Lasher wrote:
Canyon wrote:So, ML, you have turned to the Mutt side of the force...
No, Canyon dearest, I'm just finally purchasing something that I've wanted for years. Though don't think that didn't cross my mind. Haha. I just can't get into the whole "greaser" concept, though (I hated the movie Grease).

Aww. How sweet.

Tell me, are you as smooth as that when you speak to your wife?

Mountaineer Lasher · Post by **Mountaineer Lasher** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:20 pm

Canyon wrote:Aww. How sweet.

Tell me, are you as smooth as that when you speak to your wife?

Not anymore. It goes unappreciated seeing as how she's trying to get rid of me... but that's a story for another time.

Good news is I have plenty left over that I've been dying to use.