Club Obi Wan

Lately I've been looking for the perfect cafe racer leather jacket. I've inherited a few from family and I really like them. I love the style but these jackets are heavy and made for wearing while riding.

I've been searching for an old thread that, if I may correctly, someone had asked Wested to make a Indy jacket into a cafe racer type and there were pics but I can't find it. Maybe I imagined it

I'd love to get one in lamb. I've even daydreamed about getting one made in the orange leather Tony wore at the QM summit. Has anyone else ever thought about the Indy / cafe racer jacket hybrid?

To be perfectly honest, that combination doesn't sound too appealing. I know some folks have gotten Indy-jacket versions of trench coats, vests, windbreakers, etc, but to me, the best look for an Indy jacket is... an Indy jacket! But that's just my opinion, and as long as folks are happy.

I guess what I'm trying to say that there are so many *arguably* better looking patterns to make cafe racer jackets from, so Indy-izing everything isn't always necessary (which is an odd thing to say on CoW!)

And Jorenz, I hope this doesn't sound like a personal attack. Please take what I've said with a grain of salt.

There is always a Mutt jacket. You could probably get that in orange.

Castor, No offense taken I've also thought there plenty of great cafe racer jacket styles. I have 6 cafe racers but they all tend to be the same in the back. What made me start thinking about the Indy jacket as a cafe racer was the side panels. I'd like to see the Indy jacket with zippers on the arms and with a cafe racer collar.

At any rate, with my expenses latlely this may be just a day dream for a long time.

RC, most of my cafe racers have the same back just without the collar. I also have a motorcycle jacket but I don't wear it much any more. But I wouldn't mind a motorcycle jacket in brown.

I like the schott 585. USWings sells it

http://www.uswings.com/schott585vinFdetail.html

http://www.uswings.com/vintage.asp

RCSignals wrote:I like the schott 585. USWings sells it

http://www.uswings.com/schott585vinFdetail.html

http://www.uswings.com/vintage.asp

Sweeeeet!

I own a Schott 141, and it has a couple of passing similarities to an Indy jacket, i.e. the approximate length of 26 inches is about right for a Raiders, the bi-swing is similar, even though it doesn't extend all the way down, the adusting straps on the waist are functional.

But in truth, you're comparing something which was designed primarily to have a certain "look" (the Indy jacket), with something which was designed for functionality above everything. People like the cafe design because it is clean and simple, kind of the opposite of the Schott "Perfecto" style which Mutt wore.

That said, Wilson's leather http://www.wilsonsleather.com/category/ ... Id=2446814

has a lot of styles of cafe and similar jackets which might be what you have in mind.

26" is too long for an Indy jacket, unless the person is very tall and long in the torso.
It might be a good length for a cafe race style with a kidney panel extension.

I know, I sound like a broken record; I've tried to make the Indy jacket a motorcycle jacket, but it doesn't work. The collar slaps me silly (ok, it doesn't on my TN Raiders; the only one to not do it), and the back flies up leaving me exposed.

But if you're really going to do this, here are my thoughts!
- The action pleat should be high up on the shoulder to give you range of motion. The Raiders jacket is the best out of the Indy jackets for this, but I think starting at the shoulder seam is ideal (like the Wolverine jacket). I think the best way to do this is to have a low yoke seam, and put an action pleat on the yoke.
- The jacket needs to be long on the back, and use the ToD venting to prevent the bottom from flipping up; OR additional side straps at the bottom. Ideally, I think the part below the side straps should be additionally padded.
- Zippered side entry pockets!
- Storm flap behind the zipper, although the front is fine.
- Zippered sleeves, sure. I like a sleeve pocket too, for toll money
- Either a snap Indy collar, or a taller Cafe Racer collar you can turn down.
- Leather - brown horsehide!
- Maker - Tony Nowak!
- Cargo pockets, hmm...not really right on a Cafe Racer, but might be ok

Fox Creek leather used to make a really nice brown jacket, but it might be discontinued. This jacket from them is a nice "bomber" style motorcycle jacket.

http://www.foxcreekleather.com/351.html

This is a nice example of a collared Cafe Racer jacket.


Try this link if the above picture doesn't work: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_G9oFbz4HRBs/S ... BVQ56!Q!Wk~$(KGrHgoH-CYEjlLl8jjFBKRogwwzJg~~_12.JPG

Ha! Was flipping through old albums looking for my friend's brown Fox Creek leather jacket, and found this:


Apparently, the jacket also gets puffy while riding!

Am I the only one who seriously had to google "cafe racer"?

maboot38 wrote:Am I the only one who seriously had to google "cafe racer"?

Maybe. If you like leather jackets, the cafe racer is one of the most recognised - way more popular than an Indy jacket.

I've got a Cafe Racer on order from Aero and should have it by next month. Aero allows a fair degree of customization of their jackets, so if you want to tweak a stock Cafe Racer into something more original or unique, they might be a good way to go.

maboot38 wrote:Am I the only one who seriously had to google "cafe racer"?

Nope. Thanx for helping me feel less alone!

But if you're really going to do this, here are my thoughts!
- The action pleat should be high up on the shoulder to give you range of motion. The Raiders jacket is the best out of the Indy jackets for this, but I think starting at the shoulder seam is ideal (like the Wolverine jacket). I think the best way to do this is to have a low yoke seam, and put an action pleat on the yoke.
- The jacket needs to be long on the back, and use the ToD venting to prevent the bottom from flipping up; OR additional side straps at the bottom. Ideally, I think the part below the side straps should be additionally padded.
- Zippered side entry pockets!
- Storm flap behind the zipper, although the front is fine.
- Zippered sleeves, sure. I like a sleeve pocket too, for toll money
- Either a snap Indy collar, or a taller Cafe Racer collar you can turn down.
- Leather - brown horsehide!
- Maker - Tony Nowak!
- Cargo pockets, hmm...not really right on a Cafe Racer, but might be ok


Schott offers this jacket in horsehide, has many of the features of your description:

http://www.schottnyc.com/products/lifes ... rcycle.htm

ron521 wrote:But if you're really going to do this, here are my thoughts!
- The action pleat should be high up on the shoulder to give you range of motion. The Raiders jacket is the best out of the Indy jackets for this, but I think starting at the shoulder seam is ideal (like the Wolverine jacket). I think the best way to do this is to have a low yoke seam, and put an action pleat on the yoke.
- The jacket needs to be long on the back, and use the ToD venting to prevent the bottom from flipping up; OR additional side straps at the bottom. Ideally, I think the part below the side straps should be additionally padded.
- Zippered side entry pockets!
- Storm flap behind the zipper, although the front is fine.
- Zippered sleeves, sure. I like a sleeve pocket too, for toll money
- Either a snap Indy collar, or a taller Cafe Racer collar you can turn down.
- Leather - brown horsehide!
- Maker - Tony Nowak!
- Cargo pockets, hmm...not really right on a Cafe Racer, but might be ok


Schott offers this jacket in horsehide, has many of the features of your description:

http://www.schottnyc.com/products/lifes ... rcycle.htm

That's the Surrogates jacket, like Patto said. Or at least that's the kind of jacket TN based his Surrogates on. A classic of design, but not much like an Indy, really, is it?

Got to agree with Patton and CM, I've got his Surrogates replica and length would be fine (size 46.. 24in. front and 26 1/2in. back , same as the Willis jacket)..if you wanted to switch out cuffs to zippered, you'd be there, be no problem to add zipppers to lower pockets if you wanted .....I had him add his 'Immigrant zip pocket', extra inside chest.....could leave collar as is or change to 'cafe style'... probably be a cinch for Tony and I'd be interested to see would get his input as to heighth of collar , but I like the idea of it being high enough to turn down, sort of like the Belstaff 'Police Blousson' used in 'The Departed'.....the leather is a strong tough cow like his 747 just in different brown/burgundy tone, has a waxed leather feel finish.....

Willis' jacket is 46? Really! It fit me great, and I wear a 40!

Personally, I agree with Castor on this whole thing A Cafe Racer jacket is mostly defined by the short snap collar, tapered and tailored fit, short front, rather different from Indy, and even the Surrogate. It was just fun to think about the Cafe Indy project.

Joshua Jackson's jacket from One Week just might be a perfect example of the jacket.

http://vintageleatherjackets.blogspot.c ... imaco.html

I think he means the length is the same, Willis jacket is a 42 or 44 I believe.

I still like the Schott 585, even though it isn't a 'cafe racer'. it seems to fit the 'Indy' criteria

I have several cafe's myself and agree that they tend to be only comfortable when riding. Vintage Excelled's are actually fairly supple, but not quite a summer jacket. There was a big fashion trend for cafe racer style jackets starting 2 or 3 years ago (maybe it was 4 ) and I stumbled across several that were lambskin. These were very lightweight similar to a Todd's Standard, more so for fashion not function. The big problem is that these were designer jackets that started in the $1000's. Unless you want pleather I think you'll be hard-pressed to find an affordable lightweight or lambskin cafe racer. You'll have an even harder time finding one that looks like an Indy jacket. Lambskin cafe's are out there, but many of the ones I see on-line are over-worked IMO. If I remember correctly, Schott has one that is around $230, but I have to find the link. David Duchovny's character in Californication has a great looking brown racer that looks pretty light to me. Wish I knew who made it.

whipitgood wrote:I have several cafe's myself and agree that they tend to be only comfortable when riding. Vintage Excelled's are actually fairly supple, but not quite a summer jacket. There was a big fashion trend for cafe racer style jackets starting 2 or 3 years ago (maybe it was 4 ) and I stumbled across several that were lambskin. These were very lightweight similar to a Todd's Standard, more so for fashion not function. The big problem is that these were designer jackets that started in the $1000's. Unless you want pleather I think you'll be hard-pressed to find an affordable lightweight or lambskin cafe racer. You'll have an even harder time finding one that looks like an Indy jacket. Lambskin cafe's are out there, but many of the ones I see on-line are over-worked IMO. If I remember correctly, Schott has one that is around $230, but I have to find the link. David Duchovny's character in Californication has a great looking brown racer that looks pretty light to me. Wish I knew who made it.

I know that jacket, like it (not as much as the Surrogates jacket, mind) is it brown? I thought it was black. Are you talking series 3? Must be dark brown. Although Hank did wear a mid/light brown one (Bill's jacket) in series 1.

RCSignals wrote:I think he means the length is the same, Willis jacket is a 42 or 44 I believe.

Correct RC, Baldwyn mine is 46 through shoulders ,chest and my arm length but kept the original length ( my CS is 27in. in back on size 46)....Tony can fit it to you as you require....

CM wrote:

whipitgood wrote:I have several cafe's myself and agree that they tend to be only comfortable when riding. Vintage Excelled's are actually fairly supple, but not quite a summer jacket. There was a big fashion trend for cafe racer style jackets starting 2 or 3 years ago (maybe it was 4 ) and I stumbled across several that were lambskin. These were very lightweight similar to a Todd's Standard, more so for fashion not function. The big problem is that these were designer jackets that started in the $1000's. Unless you want pleather I think you'll be hard-pressed to find an affordable lightweight or lambskin cafe racer. You'll have an even harder time finding one that looks like an Indy jacket. Lambskin cafe's are out there, but many of the ones I see on-line are over-worked IMO. If I remember correctly, Schott has one that is around $230, but I have to find the link. David Duchovny's character in Californication has a great looking brown racer that looks pretty light to me. Wish I knew who made it.

I know that jacket, like it (not as much as the Surrogates jacket, mind) is it brown? I thought it was black. Are you talking series 3? Must be dark brown. Although Hank did wear a mid/light brown one (Bill's jacket) in series 1.

By light, I meant lightweight. Can't remember which season, but it looks dark brown to me. I believe there is a thread on it at Filmjackets.com.

And there's always Wested. Peter has quite the Cafe Racer collection, most of them from films like War of the Worlds and the X-Men movies.

http://www.wested.com/famous-filmwear-8-c.asp

I have the War of the Worlds jacket and for the price, it's not a bad buy.

There's also Soul Revolver. I've never seen one of their jackets up close, but from what I've heard, they're not bad.

http://www.soulrevolver.com/vm-replica-mens