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Custom leather jacket

2762 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  VKTRE, 
T
Let me know if anyone knows a good place in the Los Angeles area to have a leather jacket tailor made.
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-shade-
check out www.foxcreekleather.com

They are online but will custom make for you... they'll send you a std size closest to yours to get adjustments and will make to fit. I just got mine and I'm very happy with it....
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TAHITI said:
Let me know if anyone knows a good place in the Los Angeles area to have a leather jacket tailor made.
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Yes,

Bates Leather in Signal Hill. When yo go down there ride your bike. That way they can fit you while seated in your riding position, It made all the difference to me. My jacket does not ride up, or bunch up, and the sleeves are a perfect fit. You can also pick out your hide, buttons, zippers and liner. They can even add special hidden inside pockets. I had my whole jacket lined with 3M insulate to keep me warm.

Good luck
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TAHITI said:
Let me know if anyone knows a good place in the Los Angeles area to have a leather jacket tailor made.
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Not in LA but at least they're on the left coast. http://www.langlitz.com/
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I agree with all the postings so far.

For custom tailored leathers, I'd say the top three, in no particular order are:
FoxCreek, Bates, and Langlitz.
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T
Thanks everyone for your good help
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FatBobRob
deerskin

TAHITI said:
Let me know if anyone knows a good place in the Los Angeles area to have a leather jacket tailor made.
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www.thurlowleather.com
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M
My Langlitz is 31 years old and still going. I've replaced the zipper two times. The zipper cost $10 but the labor was free. The only problem is you really need a custom fit and I don't know if you can get one without going to Portland.
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muddyboots said:
My Langlitz is 31 years old and still going. I've replaced the zipper two times. The zipper cost $10 but the labor was free. The only problem is you really need a custom fit and I don't know if you can get one without going to Portland.
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I'm in awe of the fact that your Langlitz still fits you after 31 years. I'm right on the verge of ordering one, or a Vanson, and tomorrow I'm meeting a Vanson dealer to hear his pitch. In any event, I need a custom made leather. I'm currently wearing a size 66 Unik with the sleeves shortened. It's a cheap, thin, terrorist made type biker jacket and probably would be destroyed by a slow speed slide. I hope I never find out.

In my size, I was quoted $1200 for a Langlitz with several options like goatskin and a gun pocket. About $1000 for a similar Vanson. Fox Creek will send a size 64 for a starting point, but you have to tell them how big to make it, and then if it's wrong there's no recourse, you're just stuck. That jacket costs $575 and I would need some mods to it which would make it more. I don't think they are in the same league with the other two but actually I've never seen any of them and known what I was looking at. It would be nice to know which was the nicest. I want this to be the last leather I ever buy and it better be for that price. People seem to like Vansons but all I've ever heard about Langlitzs were raves ! One of the reasons I've narrowed it down to these two is that they take ALL your measurements down to the tiniest detail. Then, Langlitz guarantees your satisfaction or a complete refund or another jacket...your option. You take your own measurements for the Langlitz. The dealer takes them for the Vanson.

I would really appreciate anyone with experience telling me what they know about these leathers. 30 years ago I had a Brooks that I outgrew, and later a couple Harleys, but the Unik is all I could find locally. We do have a company called Reed in Detroit that will make a custom jacket, but again I don't know the quality...Tom

'95 Super Glide
2006 Road King FLHRI
Vance and Hines True Duals
Race Tuner
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M
Yup, still weigh the same. I got the insulated Columbia jacket. At the time (1974) it cost a whopping $75. The last time I was in the Langlitz shop, around four years ago, the same jacket was about $750. So I got my money's worth. The thing will not wear out.
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When it came to buy a jacket I too went with a tailor made one. I Checked out Langlitz when I was in Oregon and liked their stuff. However in the end I went with Bates Leather because they are close to where I live. My Bates Jacket and Chaps are 15 years old, and still fit. They did get a tad tight, but a little work on my part took care of that.

I have looked at a ton of off the rack stuff, but in the end, for me nothing fits like tailor made. Yes it is expensive, no doubt about that. But when I bought it I was looking at a long term purchase. Something to keep forever. In the time I have had my leathers, I have had ridden five different bikes.

For tailor made, I put Langlitz, and Bates, in the same boat. Good quality stuff that will last a lifetime. FoxCreek runs a close second. I'm sure there are other quality Made in the USA leatherworkers out there, but I can only speak for what I have worn.
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FUNHOG
I didn't realize Bates was still around. I have one that my dad bought for me new in 1970 when I was 15. Very good quality jacket.
I still have it, and wear it when the weather is mild.
It served me for 5 years of short track racing, and countless road miles after that.
Yes, I can still fit in it just fine...

BTW, what about San Diego Leather Jacket factory ? I have an awesome leather flight jacket that has lasted me 14 years and still looks good.
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F
Not trying to hi-jack, but... how about leather pants? Trying to find some pants that don't strangle my jewels. Maybe some loose fitting cargos.
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FUNHOG
I have some leather pants that are "Street Legal" brand. Very good fit & quality. Bought 'em on e bay new. Do a search & good luck.
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V
A Vanson alternative

check out www.usmadeleathers.com in Peabody, MA. They have dealers and will custom make your leathers. About 30% less than Vanson and tip-top quality, made by masters of the craft in an old New England town that was home to several operating tanneries for many decades. I shopped Vanson thinking I deserve a premium jacket after 30 years... they just didn't look like $600-700 jackets to me.
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