Zippers...
 

I have had my leather riding jacket for 14 years. I love this jacket. This style is not made any more so the jacket cannot be replaced. The craftsmanship and materials that went into this jacket are far superior to todays standards.

I ride my motorcycle EVERY day, I need this jacket. (I bought a new bike in April 2005 and have 12,061 miles on it) It was 29 degrees F( @ 80mph on the interstae that is equal to about 3 degrees F) on my way to work Thursday, so I really need this jacket.

Anyways- the zipper- It does not stay zipped. I zip it, a little pressure it pops open, then gets stuck open. I fight with it, cuss at it, throw said jacket accross room, jump up and down on it. I get it back to the "unzipped" position, carefully zip it up and like magic it bursts open.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to "fix the zip"??

Having a professional replace the zipper would cost about $55. I need a cheaper solution.

If it was my jacket, and I loved it as much as you do - I would spend the 55 bucks.
You will be MUCH happier when it is done and you will be wearing the leather for another 14 years ;)

When zippers get a little sticky and uncooperative... a little pencil lead rubbed on them (finally a use for a # 2 pencil that doesnt involve standardized tests) helped them out... I doubt it would help out a zipper that pops open (sounds like the teeth of the zipper have gotten worn out) but its worth a shot...

Yes, if it were sticking a little graphite (be it #2 pencil lead or powdered graphite lubricant from a hardware store or skateboard shop) would help. However, if it's popping open, the teeth have worn down. The only fix is to replace the zipper.

However, zipper replacement isn't that incredibly hard, especially on something leather that already has the fabric line that the zipper attaches to. Any decent seamstress will be able to do this for you.

Now, the question is...who do you know that sews?

Putting in a zipper is easy.. anyone who paid attention in home ec in high school would be able to do it - the problem is -not many people have heavy duty sewing machines... and to put a zipper into an outdoor coat, that's what would be needed...

Check around your local dry cleaners or the phone book for tailors or leather repair shops.

I have looked around and the woman that came highly reccomended quoted me $55.0 at most. It is very heavy leather and hefty zipper. I just need a quick fix until after christmas.

55 bucks is nothing compared to the price of a new jacket, and since your so stuck on this one, you really done have any choice but to ante up.


do you think any quick fix will keep the jacket closed should you happen to be seperated from your bike while travelling at a high rate of speed?
no, it won't, do the smart thing, get it replaced.



did you show this woman the jacket? motorcycle jackets are not like normal leather jackets, they are much thicker and tougher....
just make sure SHE understands what she is getting into.

I am wearing a different jacket presently.
I have been riding for 15 years I know the importance of good leather.
SHE does know what she is getting into hence the $55. She already said it won't be easy. She is going to fix it in a couple of weeks.

I was hoping someone here might have experienced the same problem with a zipper. I did find that by gently pinching the sides of the pull help to force the zipper together, but not enough that I'm comfy with. Bottom line is the thing is worn out. The women can't find a zipper that matches the rest so she wants to replace them all, after all they can't be far behind in taking a shit too.

what do the other zippers do? a zipper that holds your pocket closed is under a lot less stress than the one holding you inside the jacket... the only thing that I can think of the gets stressed the same way would be the sleeve zippers, if you have them.


and I didnt mean to come off harsh, I'm sure you know the importance of good leather, I just wanted to convey my thoughts that if you patched your good leather together with spit and duct tape (jerry rigging the zipper somehow) it would cease to become good leather and be more of a liability.