I'm looking to get a leather vest to start patching up. Problem is all the local stores around are pretty expensive. I know a lot of places online are a bit cheaper; anyone have any good experiences buying a vest online? If so, where? Thanks in advance :D

You might want to check some of the supporting vendors on this forum...one of our members has a site you might want to check, also... onsitedeals.com
He knows his leather and prices are good! Better waterproof it...those Seattle rains are right around the corner! :D

Like planb said check out http://www.onsitedeals.com. Boomer has good prices. A lot of folks here have purchased from him and liked the quality. Boomer used to be a supporting vendor last summer. He's not in that role anymore, but he still visits here pretty frequently.

Gazza

keep checking ebay
I bought a brand new MC vest with the laced up sides and buffalo nickle snaps for 30 bucks (after shipping)

like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-MENS-LEATHER-BUFFALO-NICKEL-VEST-USA-MADE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6750QQitemZ7994238 423QQrdZ1

in addition to the other suggestions, check some of the local western stores. theres one here that was selling leather vests for about 25.00

here's another
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mens-Medium-Black-Leather-Vest_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6750QQitemZ7995502 304QQrdZ1

Yeah..Contact that boomer guy I bet he may have something on clearance that he will make a hell of a deal on.:laugh:roflblack

Yeah..Contact that boomer guy I bet he may have something on clearance that he will make a hell of a deal on.:laugh:roflblack

Yes, by all means get ahold of that Boomer guy!!
http://www.onsitedeals.com/
:tour

Yeah..Contact that boomer guy I bet he may have something on clearance that he will make a hell of a deal on.:laugh:roflblack

shamless plug..but well deserved. :clap
i have one of his vests and the quality is fantastic

cheers
crackers

http://www.hotleathers.com go to http://www.hotleathers.com/store/category.aspx?SID=1&Category_ID=50 this is the page for the leather vests. $24.95 to $89.95 not too bad.

I'm looking to get a leather vest to start patching up. Problem is all the local stores around are pretty expensive. I know a lot of places online are a bit cheaper; anyone have any good experiences buying a vest online? If so, where? Thanks in advance :D

Well to each is own. Hopefully those patches will be of some importance and not just to look like something many folks aint. Good vests are expensive. But to put on important patches and stand up to riding and weather conditions, it's the way it is.

I wear a club patch on the back (only patch on the back), name patch on the front, Small HOG patch, an in memory patch with the names of two fallen brothers (family), my California Firefighter patches (2 chapters I served at) on the front (earned as a wildland fire fighter in the California mountains) and a small American flag patch.

Patches aren't just for posing and should have meaning and purpose.

My feelings anyways...

:banadevi

Loco
So. Cal.

<SNIP>

Patches aren't just for posing and should have meaning and purpose.

My feelings anyways...

:banadevi

Loco
So. Cal.
The man has to walk before he can run. ;)

shamless plug..but well deserved. :clap
i have one of his vests and the quality is fantastic

cheers
crackers

Shameless plug?? who me??? no way..I would never do anything like that!!:doh;)

I'm looking to get a leather vest to start patching up. Problem is all the local stores around are pretty expensive. I know a lot of places online are a bit cheaper; anyone have any good experiences buying a vest online? If so, where? Thanks in advance :D


I bought my vest for 20 bucks at the Easyrider Rodeo. The best place to buy any stuff is at swap meets. I also got a set of chaps for 50 bucks. Cant beat it.

I bought mine from Jammin Leather out of Myrtle Beach. They have a huge selection of vests. Do a search online. Their pictures are great for figuring out how the vests look. I bought a buffalo hide patch pocket vest for about $89 or so, heavy heavy leather - good quality.

When it come's to clothing I like to try it on before I buy, fit and look. Not a knock on buying from internet, just like to feel it and see how it looks and fits on my bod...LOL Got mine at a little leather shop in Oak Glenn, Ca (above Yacaipa) . Heavy, quality leather with a liner for $79.00, laced sides. Saw same vest for $99.00 at Cooks Corner. Quick question....the vest I have is pretty thick, pins don't really go all the way through, so I keep them on my denim, where do you go to have patches sewn on, do it yourself. Don't have many and really don't care if I put them on or not, XL-Forum, small HOG, and MSF. Just wondering if there is some kind of trick or just do it??

When it come's to clothing I like to try it on before I buy, fit and look. Not a knock on buying from internet, just like to feel it and see how it looks and fits on my bod...LOL Got mine at a little leather shop in Oak Glenn, Ca (above Yacaipa) . Heavy, quality leather with a liner for $79.00, laced sides. Saw same vest for $99.00 at Cooks Corner. Quick question....the vest I have is pretty thick, pins don't really go all the way through, so I keep them on my denim, where do you go to have patches sewn on, do it yourself. Don't have many and really don't care if I put them on or not, XL-Forum, small HOG, and MSF. Just wondering if there is some kind of trick or just do it??

Did mine but if that is not happening for you, find a shoe repair shop or a small store seamstress in your area. Sewing through leather is a bitch for sure.

Loco
So. Cal

I have one of these: www.jacksflaps.com

Well to each is own. Hopefully those patches will be of some importance and not just to look like something many folks aint. Good vests are expensive. But to put on important patches and stand up to riding and weather conditions, it's the way it is.

I wear a club patch on the back (only patch on the back), name patch on the front, Small HOG patch, an in memory patch with the names of two fallen brothers (family), my California Firefighter patches (2 chapters I served at) on the front (earned as a wildland fire fighter in the California mountains) and a small American flag patch.

Patches aren't just for posing and should have meaning and purpose.

My feelings anyways...

:banadevi

Loco
So. Cal.

I'm with you--I won't be putting any patches on that don't mean anything. I've been through some rough things in life, including a whole lot of losses, and I think that since my bike is such a big part of me now, it would be nice to tell a little story with my gear.

I'm with you--I won't be putting any patches on that don't mean anything. I've been through some rough things in life, including a whole lot of losses, and I think that since my bike is such a big part of me now, it would be nice to tell a little story with my gear.

I' m just looking out for my people here in this forum and would hate for anyone to get themselves into a very serious situation they definately aint ready to handle. I've seen it a few times and my Uncle Mike was a longtime 1%er (who I grew up with). I know that it's a free country and folks should be able to wear panties on thier heads when they ride but in the Biker world, patches are a serious deal (like it or not).

We can all wear patches and ride but it's what patches and wear. The 1%ers did thier time and paid thier dues and they are the reasons why we ALL WEAR PATCHES IN THE FIRST PLACE! They made it cool because they were labeled by the society squares as the bad 1% of law abiding (99%ers) motorcyclists.

Keep thew rubberside down!

:gun

Loco
So. Cal.

I have one of these: www.jacksflaps.com (http://www.jacksflaps.com)

So does it work like it says it does?

Well, I have a newbie question... Is there some sort of reason bikers wear leather vests... What I mean is, is there some sort of tradition that says a vest is worn instead of say, a denim shirt or something....?
Thanks,
JJ

I have one of Boomers vests, and I feel it was worth twice what I paid for it, and Highly recommend them.

As to patches, stick with ride pins, no one will ever get in your face for a ride pin(As long as you went on that ride).
I have only a couple Patches, as I too take it as very serious. I have a HOG club back and a top rocker for my local chapter, but no bottom, as we are not a club that claims Territory.
HOG is considered a neutral Riding club, as I understand it, BUT if asked to remove my vest, I always accommodate the request.
On front, I have a Sportster patch, in honer on my bikes, a XLforum patch. as i am a member here in good standings.
The only other patch I want to get is one I saw at a rally this year, it is a Vietnam POW one that reads "I wasn't there, But I still care".
My Dad was in the "Adopt a Marine" program, and Mariner's that did not have Family, well we got to have them for Christmas, most were just coming home for Vietnam.
I have a very deep respect for them, and my Brother in law was a tank driver in the delta, he too has my respect.

But I digress.
I think the point that Loco was getting at is that patches all mean something, and just throwing some on because you bought then can get you into some real trouble.
Rule of thumb, if you do not know for sure what a patch means, don't wear it.

Oh yeah! It works great. I just love it. When I am going 70 it feels like I am going 40. I am just sad that it's gotten too cold to wear it now.


So does it work like it says it does?

I will agree with Jeffytune...Boomer really took care of me when I ordered a vest and tool bag...The quality of both is exactly what I was looking for.. Excellent service, excellent product, outstanding shipping to Hawaii...Fully recommend Boomer and his onsitedeals.com for anyone looking for jackets, vests, toolbags, saddlebags, etc.... Two thumbs up Boomer...

...Vest... optimally designed as a comfortable clothing item suitable for wearing during the warmer seasons to carry the odd assortment of tools, smokes, beer bottles, condoms and other various paraphinellia that might be deemed necessary whilst on the road for all self respecting scooter tramps to broke to afford saddlebags...... plus, its a lot less painful attaching run pins and patches to a vest than directly to yer skin.

I get a woman at my local Tandy leather to do mine (sew on patches). Just really need a good sewing machine and when I say good I mean $600.00 and up. She does memory patches for free, so needless to say when there is a passing she gets plenty of free work. We do stick by her for the others (patches) though and recommend her locally. She also has a sportster! Any shoe repair or leather shop, but check price beforehand (some are real pricey). My friend does the big ones for $5.00 and the price goes down from there.
Live to Ride!