Spirit of the 60s?

[guest7]

I was given a DVD for chrimbo about the annual 'Spirit of the 60s' run in the West Country. This run attracts over 400 bikes and is organised by the Westland Motorcycle Club.

The production quality of the DVD was cheerfully amateur but there were lots of lovely old classics to look at and, let's face it, it's always better to see them running than static.

One thing that struck me was how little thought most motorcyclists seem to give to their riding kit. After seeing perhaps the ninety ninth rider wearing a nasty old full face lid, crap ill-fitting leather jacket, trousers and shoes I began to despair of what has become of the real (rocker) spirit of the 60s which although sometimes being a bit over-done was always about looking good on your bike.

I'm going to nail my colours to the mast here, I think it's important to wear nice-looking kit on your bike. I know I'll be flamed about how "it's only important how a jacket works, not how it looks", etc. etc. and "the only good boot is a boot that keeps your foot warm", blah, blah, but it's always possible to have kit that works that also looks good.

One man's natty jacket is another man's piece of tat and all that, but what I'm getting at is that the rider should have chosen their gear with at least an eye on how it looks. Unfortunately we all know of riders who seem to have completely ignored this consideration.

Thoughts?

GC

[Mark]

Did you recognise furryjohn, what was he wearing?

Mark

[Furry John]

Did you recognise furryjohn, what was he wearing?

Mark

Oddly enough I agree with GC here, I am not sure whether your question is a pisstake or not Mark but here goes:

1955 & 57 bikes Velocette MAC, Triumph T110 - Summer - Cromwell Pudding Basin with Davida Pilot 2 goggles, and a blue or red spotted bandana tied around my neck to cover my mouth, a Dainese 72 leather jacket, Levi jeans and Daytona "Shortie" Engineer boots.
For Winter - The Heine Gericke suit you saw at Llantony plus a Red, white and Green Davida Classic Jet helmet and Pilot Goggles.

1967 to 76 bikes, Velocette Thruxton, Ducati 900SS Bevel- Summer- for short rides- Everoak Racemaster Helmet, Same as above goggles, bandana, jacket and boots. For longer rides , parading etc. Davida Classic Jet Helmet (ACU Sticker), same goggles, bandana, and jacket but with the zip on leather trousers and Daytona High boots set to "Outside". In the rain the Heine Gericke suit you saw at Llantony plus the Davida Classic Jet helmet and Pilot Goggles.

The Manxman, either shirt and trousers at Llandow or as the Ducati for paradeing.

I only wear a full face for trips like the Dragon and Llantony and on the R75/6 for touring in Spain or Portugal.

I also got the DVD for Christmas!

Furry

[002]

Dont Understand !

Brought up on a collection of MZ TS 125/150/250 progressing to ETZs and Despatching on Kwak 550s.
Inverted Snobbery set in.
So long as it works dont care too much !


Jethro

[Andy M]

I'm with Jethro, if it works I don't care what it looks like.

The reason you can't buy a jacket that actually seals at the collar is that the designers all thought we needed to look like the Fonze, Barry Sheene, Rossi etc. The collar design your dad wore would, after a bit of experimenting, seem to work. This is why I ended up wearing horse riding kit.  Fashion = Bad IMHO.

Now of course if the event is 50 miles of summer back roads to show off old machinery, I guess fancy dress to match the period would be appropriate.

Andy

[el vencejo]

My memories of 60's bikers in Stoke were guys wearing pit boots, greasy jeans and leather jackets with studs and chains; the smartest guy was a pensioner who rode a Dunstall Domiracer wearing DR coat and boots, leather flying cap and goggles...        I don't think I ever saw a "well turned out" rocker.

I started biking in '69: levi's jeans, monkey boots, uncle's worn-out leather jacket, stadium open-face helmet.

Now I wear lightweight cargo pants, canvas shoes, t-shirt, Lidl work gloves and ventilated moped open face helmet in summer (and I'm overdressed compared to the locals!); winter wear is canvas boots, jeans, HG Tuareg jacket and gloves and open-face helmet with short visor. I'm more interested in comfort than protection

[squirrelciv]

Practical clothing that fits properly has it's own beauty to me. Don't think I've ever bought anything cos it looks good, but out of the items available that achieve the same end result, then the one that 'goes' wins. Does that stick me on the fence?

I'll have a gripe about modern stuff now if I may.

Is it just me, but why soooooo many pockets??? Had my latest winter jacket for 2 months now and still finding new pockets on it! The latest one is round the back along the bottom hem. Why??? That and velcro... Hate it.

[el vencejo]

Pockets  

I'm 58 yo, have "senior moments"... the number of times I've "lost" something.... then found it in the 9th pocket of my Tuareg jacket  

ps, I don't eat dead animals, so I don't wear their skins 

[Steve Lake]

I'm with GC
I have a 'pisspot' and 60's barbour jacket (well worn but serviceable, bit like the owner) then leather boots and jeans...this is my local pose gear....for serious rides i have a 2 piece leather 'sidi' kits, and a full face (or pilot open face ) helmet, quality leather gloves and plain black sidi boots.

i like to think my kit will protect me (the pisspot is probably as much use as a chocolate teapot mind)....and look reasonably 'ok'

but hell...i'm a senior citizen now.....should i worry....??

[guest868]

A strange topic for a forum that bemoans riders of sportsbikes with matching leathers for being posers.
Leather jacket and jeans for as long as possible in the year, then textiles for that intermediate point. Helmet depends on mood.

[Andy M]

A strange topic for a forum that bemoans riders of sportsbikes with matching leathers for being posers.

Nothing wrong with one piece leathers for the track. Get wet though and the brain numbing cold is to me a safety factor in itself. Fine if you only have twelve laps to do, less so if it's still 200 miles to camp site.

I'm actually heading back towards leather trousers for the summer, fed up of wearing out Horrible Gherkin fabric stuff at hundreds of pounds a go. I'm quite impressed with my kevlar lined jeans though. No impact protection, but warm enough for the summer and OK to keep on for the bar on the ferry.

Andy

[el vencejo]

Wow Andy... apart from my ethics (veggie), I've always thought that leather trousers are a bit.............


   "Village People"  


           Y M C A  


(not 'phobic, my favourite nephew swings that way)

[Mark]

Wow Andy... apart from my ethics (veggie), I've always thought that leather trousers are a bit.............

 "Village People"  

           Y M C A  

This was my sentiment until I bought a pair a few years back and now I wonder why I didn't buy some many years back after my accident, they're bloody great.

And believe me they are so worn and dirty(salt and grime really taken their toll) they won't be confused with fetish, more 'town tramp'

Mark

[sexually oriented]

These days i think its hard to go wrong with what can be worn,
the majority of riders i see are wearing decent gear,admittedly you do see the odd twaat in a purple shell suit top and brown cords and green wellies with his lid on back to front riding an MZ or a dominator i think the DVD that GC and FJ got is about an annual run,
and that's probably why half the riders were wearing what they were when they pulled up in the cars towing the bikes they were going to ride on a run that day.

For me being an all year rider its about comfort and warmth,and as much as i want to i just cant get on with leather troo's,that's why i wear
DPM desert and DPM goretex over troo's,im kept warm and dry at anytime of the year, hardly the height of fashion but i dont care what anyone else thinks,and why should i
and i suspect the majority of you on this forum dont dress to impress

[SRXer]

When it comes to materials I was brought up on that in a crash there is nothing better than half a dead cow between you and the road.

Also I wear the jacket that I had my last spill on even though its all torn up because its warm and I reckon it looks cool that way (Isnt falling off a bike almost a right of passage for the motorcylist/biker?).

I'd never buy coloured leathers or anything non leather - though having said that - Id love a pair of draggin jeans.

Id also never buy a fancy lid.

Nathan.