40's bike jacket by Smith's of California

[Peter Graham]

Here's a nice little jacket I picked up recently that's quickly become a favourite. The lining is quite worn but the horsehide is very solid and the bi-swing back makes it super comfortable. The tags are all present including a linen tag in one pocket which is hard to make out but has the number 2165 amongst other info. A nice touch is the blackened Talon zippers which work perfectly. Any info on the manufacturer would be appreciated.

 

[Vcruiser]

Peter
Never heard of that particular maker...but it looks of good quality and fits you very well.
Van

 

[HHjackets]

that is one cool jacket! i must get me a halfbelt, no luck so far!
the side straps sit quite low, tightens the jacket right at waist/belt. they are usually sewn higher at the halfbelt section.

 

[Jamesp]

Great Jacket Peter!

Love the Bi-Swing back.

Can I ask how much you paid?

I am looking at 40/50s half belts myself at the moment and am trying to get an idea of what to pay.

James

 

[T-Bolt]

Hey Peter,

Very nice looking jacket. Do you plan to have it re-lined sometime or are going to leave it as is??

It sure looks good on ya!


Ted

 

[sealbeachbum]

Very cool jacket Peter! So, what are you riding these days?

 

[Peter Graham]

Thanks for the positive comments guys. Jamesp, I paid £70 for the jacket plus £20 shipping from the US. I don't know if that's good or bad. I have no experience of these jackets but I'm happy with what I paid cause it's a great jacket. Ted, I think I will leave the lining original. It's not bad enough to warrant replacing. Bill, I'm still riding my Triumph speed triple but I think I need a change. I've had this mad idea for a while about building an old skool chop. Maybe this summer !

 

[Jamesp]

I have just paid £150.00 for a 50s half belt horsehide, not even a bi-swing back!

I would rather have paid £70.00 for yours so I would say you have a bargain, well done.

I guess it's what's avaiiable at the time and, if like me, you are impatient, waiting for a bargain is hard to do.

But I did get a 30s pleated bi-swnig back in cape-skin recently for £25.00 although it has some damage.

The 50s one is due to arrive tomorrow, so If I get time over the weekend, I shall post some pictures of both jackets.

Cheerio for now.

 

[jonbuilder]

Petter
I like your jacket - you fit it well. Regardless of what you paid for it, your expression is priceless

best regards
jon

 

[Jamesp]

Two Half Belts

Here is my £25.00 bargain: late30s/early 40s ‘Daniel Boone’ half belt.

It is a very fine jacket, very soft cape skin and feels great.


I have carried out some repairs to some pretty awful tears on the shoulder by using flexible glue to stick down the torn flaps of leather. I then applied boot polish followed by some Pecards.


The next is a quite different half belt!

It’s front quarter horsehide, I think 40s or 50s and is thick, supple and tough.



I may have paid a bit much for it (£150.00) but just had to have it!!

Cheerio

James.

 

[HHjackets]

looks like the chest zipper on the second jacket is designed to be used with the left hand i guess, how practical is it?

 

[Jamesp]

Only practical to use with the right hand.

The pocket is shallow which makes it easy to retrieve any contents.

 

[Peter Graham]

Nice jackets James. I'm really getting into these half belts. I wonder if they were marketed as motorcycle jackets or just general utility jackets ?

 

[Jamesp]

Interesting question Peter,

Can’t say I know the answer, although I suspect they were marketed to both.

I wore the horsehide jacket today on a ride out on my vintage motorcycles.

I am aware that they do not offer the protection of more modern motorcycle jackets but I just feel it’s more appropriate to wear period gear on the older bikes.

I would not wear an original Irvin or A2 on a bike for fear of wrecking it.

But then I could wreck a 70 year old bike if I dropped it!

Do you, or anyone else one else, have an opinion on this?

James

 

[jonbuilder]

The most valuable asset when you go down is your passenger and yourself. Jacket, motorcycles, and other riding gear like full face helmet are replaceable. The last thing I am thinking about bouncing off the road after a high side is my jacket.

keep the rubber side down
jon

 

[Peter Graham]

The most valuable asset when you go down is your passenger and yourself. Jacket, motorcycles, and other riding gear like full face helmet are replaceable. The last thing I am thinking about bouncing off the road after a high side is my jacket.

keep the rubber side down
jon

You must ride pretty hard to high side on the road but I tend to agree with you now I'm older. A few years back I would have said that people heal for free but you gotta pay to fix bikes but I realise now after breaking a lot of bones that the most important thing is to be able to get up and walk away. Dress acordingly to the bike you ride. If you ride a 50's Norton you can get away with vintage gear but if you ride a GSXR 1000 you better wear the best armour you can afford.

 

[Happy Hooligan]

Love the original half belts. I've been shopping for a while for an original. But I'm really picky...

Tough to find a 44 long.

I have my Aero and love it, but would love a real one.