Went for a little putt yesterday to a place across town called Leather Headquarters.

I was trying on vests for awhile attempting to find "just the right one"...

Well this older biker (may 65-70) steps up next to me and starts looking at the vests also...

I wish you could have seen this dude.....anyways....he's wearing this old, very well worn leather vest that has all these old patches stitched everywhere on it.
It looked so cool. You could just see the history and miles that this man and his vest have ridden......

As he reached for a vest to try on I said to him, "I sure hope you don't plan on retiring that vest and buying a new one, that's gotta be the coolest looking vest I ever seen in my life."

He looked a little puzzled & pleased and says to me, "Really, you think so?"

Well without boring you with the rest of the conversation, we had a nice long chat about riding & the history of his vest.

I apologized to the sales girl that was helping us out for possibly costing her a sale......she said, "No problem at all, I don't think he should get a new one either."

Well after our chat.......the old guy says to me, "Thank you, I think I'll keep the vest I've got, nice to meet you, ride safe".......

I can only hope that I'll be as cool as that old man when I'm his age.

BTW....she made a sale, I bought a vest, hopefully it'll see a lot of miles.

 

Very cool!

 

I know what you mean, seen those old biker types with vests that look as old as them and probably weigh 15 lbs. You can see a lot of old style patches, etc. on them. Bet there is some history there. I have patches, pins, etc. from the '70s when I rode with some Army helicopter pilots in Tenn. People ask about them once in a while. I have things from friends who have passed on, from my Dad's vest when he rode. Vests mean a lot to many bikers, there is always a story. Sometimes you ask, sometimes they tell you about, or maybe not. Just my 2 cents. Ride safe. Jr.

 

Here's an idea. They should come out with distressed biker garb like the jeans my kids buy. You know, all worn out, beat up, with holes and such.

 

I'd be interested in hearing his stories.

 

I love Leather Headquarters, I go there way too much, you meet some of the coolest people there, and hear some great stories. I was glad when they opened their second store on my side of town a few years back.

 

I'd love to drink a beer with that dude & pick his brain...Of course, most of my friends are between 50 & 70something.

 

H*ll, I be strugglin' like a SOB, JUST to git to that age.
NOT worried 'bout lookin' "cool" when I git thar !!. BUT, DAMMT, it would be SCHWEET to look cool, too.

Old Dogs, Children, and Ol' Leather Vests. CAN'T go wrong, NO how, NO way.

 

Harder to spot the posers? Heck, I hardly wear any bike gear at all except when riding. I just don't care; I just like to ride.

 

You don't have a chance Gumby... you've never looked cool. It would take some kind of miracle to change that!