Cool Badger Heritage Period Riding Attire

[HarleyCreation]

On page 23 of the new issue a photo shows the Badger Heritage Chapter wearing period club-type motorcycle clothing and Harley hats. They sure look good!

I have long favored the 1930s-50s rider look over the "outlaw biker" costume so universally followed today. They held neatest club contests back in the 1930s-50s and went to great lengths to look good. If Badger Heritage doesn't start a trend in period riding attire, it'll be a surprise because it sure goes good with the bikes!

Plus, it's practical, except maybe for those Harley hats.

Did they have a working chin-strap or a FAKE one?

PS: Just checked John Nowak's old Harley hat that he gave me and it has a non-functional cord chin-strap.

What a lapse on Harley's part on that one!

[D.Mac]

Period gear

Herb,
My eyes went right to that picture when I turned to that page, those guys look great!
I always like to wear vintage riding gear, I think some of the new gear looks funny on an old machine, and don't even get me started on tennis shoes for riding. The old gear is often more comfortable, a nice old horsehide jacket makes the later stuff feel like naugahide. And practical- for example kidney belts, yes, they really do work when you're riding a ridgid frame, the old timers didn't just wear them for looks, although they look great too! Now that the old club sweaters and racing jerseys are being made again (see the post in this section of the forum from several days ago), maybe we'll see more guys turn-up wearing them at meets, it would be cool to see a whole chapter show-up wearing club sweaters!
Doug.

[40 Nuck]

Can't wait to get the new edition and look up the pic ... I love the old jersies and horsehide can't be beat for that nostalgic look and feel. Kidney Belts too !!! Somehow wearing a full face helmet and modern protective gear on an old bike just looks really funny. Would you wear a leather "helmet" on a crotch rocket, V-Rod or Fat Boy?

[William McClean]

Kidney belts work, and not just on rigid frames. During a 3000 mile ride over 1 week on a modern machine I made use of a cheap nylon weight lifters' belt to cinch up the kidneys. I left out one morning and realized by the time I got across town and up on the slab that I had left it behind. It was well worth the return trip thru the rush hour traffic to retrieve it. I guess that is why some of the modern body armor has them built into the jackets.

Besides, the "sport drink " holder on the side of the belt came in handy.

[Paquette]

Mike Merling is the force behind the vintage riding wear!! Mike is a member of both the Badger Heritage and Chesapeake chapters. He has been working for a couple of years to reproduce the vintage hats, cloth and leather breeches ( custom made to your specs) Goggles, kidney belts, putees, and more. His website is www.goldenagemotorcycleclothing.com Many chapters are now going with the vintage look and while I ride solo low life for the most part, I have leather and cloth breeches he made for me and can say without question that they are much, much more comforable than blue jeans for riding. I can say I do get some second looks!!! Mike is a really great guy and personnel friend and I highly reccomend his products --Michael Paquette--6671--I almost forgot, Mike can also provide vintage riding boots in several styles, here again custom made--His stuff is the best I have ever seen.

[milw.pirates]

vintage riding gear

Mike Merling is the force behind the vintage riding wear!! Mike is a member of both the Badger Heritage and Chesapeake chapters. He has been working for a couple of years to reproduce the vintage hats, cloth and leather breeches ( custom made to your specs) Goggles, kidney belts, putees, and more. His website is www.goldenagemotorcycleclothing.com Many chapters are now going with the vintage look and while I ride solo low life for the most part, I have leather and cloth breeches he made for me and can say without question that they are much, much more comforable than blue jeans for riding. I can say I do get some second looks!!! Mike is a really great guy and personnel friend and I highly reccomend his products --Michael Paquette--6671--I almost forgot, Mike can also provide vintage riding boots in several styles, here again custom made--His stuff is the best I have ever seen.

I have to agree with Mike, Mike Merling is a great guy to work with,met him at Wauseon and at Davenport,I have been into the vintage club stuff for years and have a fair collection of original attire,I was going to post those photo's from Wauseon here,but had to many problems trying to get them to fit our format,so they are posted at www.caimag.com

[Chuck#1848]

Great looking products!!!!!

I thought the same thing when looking at the new mag,the period clothing really does complete the bikes appearance like stepping back in time.

[M72max]

I think you'd find some people wearing modern attire on older bikes mostly for the benefit of protection they get with the full face helmet and full leathers. it does look completely out place though. I suppose it's a fine line and it's up to you to decide how safe you feel with a leather helmet or a cap vs. modern helmet etc.

[45OZ]

These guys were at the Road Run in Rhinebeck this year. if you think the clothes are cool see if we can get them to post a picture of the BADGER helmet they have made from REAL Road kill it is cool as ****!!!!

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Those new vintage "Pudding Helmets' would be a pretty good stand in when going 'period' dress in States that have a helmet law. They're DOT I think. Most coverage I ever used was an original white Bell 3/4 with a visor back years ago. My best was an original white bell shorty. Wish I still had that one.

I could never see how the early caps stayed on the riders head, especially with all that greasy Pomade hair gel they would use. Seems to me the wind would just catch them under the brim and fly off at a decent rate of speed. Most old photos seem to show them wearing the caps without the chin strap.

Maybe the trick was to not change the Pomade too often. Hrdly

[milw.pirates]

regarding hats

Those new vintage "Pudding Helmets' would be a pretty good stand in when going 'period' dress in States that have a helmet law. They're DOT I think. Most coverage I ever used was an original white Bell 3/4 with a visor back years ago. My best was an original white bell shorty. Wish I still had that one.

I could never see how the early caps stayed on the riders head, especially with all that greasy Pompade hair gel they would use. Seems to me the wind would just catch them under the brim and fly off at a decent rate of speed. Most old photos seem to show them wearing the caps without the chin strap.

Maybe the trick was to not change the Pompade too often. Hrdly

pompade?... bril-cream or vasoline hair tonic,if you had a windshield the hat stayed on pretty well,with out the windshield,you had a braided leather chin strap,with a bakelite bead,put the hat on then slide the bead up under your chin,when not in use,you flip it to the back of the hat and slide the bead up tight to the hat band.

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Pomade is the correct spelling. Hrdly

(I went back and edited the name)

[HarleyCreation]

I could never see how the early caps stayed on the riders head, especially with all that greasy Pomade hair gel they would use. Seems to me the wind would just catch them under the brim and fly off at a decent rate of speed. Most old photos seem to show them wearing the caps without the chin strap.

Maybe the trick was to not change the Pomade too often. Hrdly

My memory could be wrong on this, but when H-D tried re-introducing the "Harley Hat" back in the early 1970s, a couple of my pals bought and wore them. It seems to me that those had an "insert" or something inside the hat that was meant to secure it to one's head so it didn't fly off.

Is that correct or another one of those weird false memories that plague my aging brain?

In any case, it didn't work very well because I remember them going back and picking up their hats more than once, including a guy with 68 FLH with a windscreen.

I've made my own riding hats out of the "Greek fisherman hat" after removing the decorative trim, putting on a working chin-strap, and then forming it until it has that great "50 Flight Crush" look.

I've also picked up very period looking riding clothes from military surplus outlets, including West German flared black leather riding breeches, a Swedish military leather coat, and high pull-on DDR officer riding boots that are top-notch pebbled leather. Earlier in the 70's I found that Herter's snake bite boots made really nice vintage riding boots and made from very thick bullhide leather.

Around 1978-79 when H-D briefly reintroduced the riding belt, I got one for cheap as the modern young dealer laughed at it. I said: "Make me a deal." He did and I still wear the thing, even on my modern BMW.

The cover Badger Heritage photo looks good too, and right up there next to the original Mr. Motor Cycle!

[milw.pirates]

early style hats

Mike Merling is the force behind the vintage riding wear!! Mike is a member of both the Badger Heritage and Chesapeake chapters. He has been working for a couple of years to reproduce the vintage hats, cloth and leather breeches ( custom made to your specs) Goggles, kidney belts, putees, and more. His website is www.goldenagemotorcycleclothing.com Many chapters are now going with the vintage look and while I ride solo low life for the most part, I have leather and cloth breeches he made for me and can say without question that they are much, much more comforable than blue jeans for riding. I can say I do get some second looks!!! Mike is a really great guy and personnel friend and I highly reccomend his products --Michael Paquette--6671--I almost forgot, Mike can also provide vintage riding boots in several styles, here again custom made--His stuff is the best I have ever seen.

For those of you looking for the early style hats !,Mike Merling called me last night,he will have the hats soon,with correct sweat bands,colors and the larger sizes ( up to 7 3/4 )
will keep you posted.

[D.Mac]

Period riding apparel

For excellent early style sweaters and jerseys, check these guys out http://nlamc.blogsopt.com/ I bought one of thier sweaters and it looks and feels just like the originals, same cut and same quality materials (made in USA!). I was real happy with the product and the Guys behind it. I put a post in the vendors rated section on these guys, but I thought I should put a word in this thread too.
Doug.