No one has mentioned in this ancient thread that if your jacket is riding up, unzip it from the bottom, that's what the two-way zipper is for. Not everyone has the same length torso and when you bend over the jacket will ride up and either go for the throat or give you the "Dolly Parton" look. I bought a really nice Fox Creek jacket from one of the guys on here and it didn't have a 2-way zipper. Sent it back to F.C. and they fixed it right up and back chop-chop. The weight of a good jacket is like the weight of a good sidearm; it is more comforting than comfortable.

 

Not all leather jackets have 2 zippers.
My first real leather jacket was the traditional classic biker jacket with all the zippers. I bought it used from my brother - n - law for $25. The next leather jacket I bought new (Hein Gericke) was back in 1989. Still wear it. I tried a few new H-D jackets but way too stiff. I'll keep this H-G jacket until my departure from mother earth. It's still not very pliable, but I can live with it. I bought a BMG CHALLANGER textile 3/4 length jacket a few years ago that is 3 times warmer then my leather jacket, but a bit more cumbersome. It is waterproof, has tons of armor, lots of adjustable straps and many pockets with pockets inside of pockets. The Brits really know how to make a 4 season motorcycle jacket. If I wear that jacket, I don't need my heated liner. It's just a little bit more pliable then the leather jacket.....and it does have a top/bottom zipper.

I don't think you really want a "soft" leather motorcycle jacket. I would say Pliable is a better description.


I like this thread better then the oil threads.

 

Weird, but extremely effective: pee on the jacket.. The ureum of the urine will soften the leather. In my region in the past the leather workers had to collect urine from their family in jars. They were paid extra per jar. This urine was added to the water to wash the cow skins to soften it. In my militairy conscription we peed in our leather booths, let it absorb overnight, dry the boots and put them on with thick woolen socks. At the end of the day the boots were extremely 'tailor made' and we could march 50-100 kms fully packed on these without any blisters..So, not so stupid as it sounds

 

Would this work if I peed in my underwear too?

 

If you ever watched some shows on the history channel about medieval times. they use to have large tubs at the end of town for the residents to pour their pee into for the tanners and dyers to use.

 

So that's NOT a complimentary self-serve lemonade stand?

 

Go to Tandy leather/ leather factory and get a jar of chap wax. can be used on leather chaps, vest, coats and boots. best way to use is to set it in a window with lots of sun or set it in front of a heat source to warm it up. then using a small applicator( piece of old t shirt is what I use ) rub it in, paying special attention to sewn/seam areas. bad side is it will leave a waxy feeling but it will make it more pliable and also make it water resistant. after awhile the waxy feeling does go away, then you know its time to re apply

 

It took me a while to get mine broken in. I hang it in the garage after rides, drop it in the dirt, throw it in the floor of the truck, throw it over the bike seat after rides "for the heat", clean it with leather cleaner / conditioner, then start the process over, When these guys seems to say abuse it, they are not kidding, It just takes time.

rk classic.

 

What kinda jacket is it? Brand.

 

You bought a cheap-*** jacket. Good quality ones don’t have this problem.

You’re on your own.