Best posts made by Autorotate

What’s up pale riders?
Maybe just in the nick of time comes this crazy ass post from me. Well, I’m fresh out of a lukewarm tub wearing this shirt. As I suspected, it absorbed all the water uniformly and has a nice rich caramel color. I know the shade will change as it dries… but no water spots as of now.
The shoulders and chest INSTANTLY opened up and all of the stress on the buttons are gone. Good for now, but as it dries, I am going to pay attention to moving my arms and chest to preclude it from drying “tight”. I am bunching the sleeves at my elbow to get the cuffs off of my hands. Hope it stays that way…. When It’s about 95% dry, I’m going to slather it with Pecard’s in an effort to retain the flexibility and comfort I’m feeling right now (wet).
The shirt, when wet is heavy!
Oddly, I’m warm. Imagine that. Horse skin actually retains heat. Probably why our cavemen ancestors survived the elements without Patagonia and Arcteryx.
Disclaimer: I tried this shirt on in it brand-new state, and I was completely unhappy with the chest tightness and rigidity of the body and the collar. If I were to size up, the dimensions for me wouldn’t have been right. I am a true IH large all day long, and in this shirt especially. Being honest here… I just don’t have the patience to wear an uncomfortable garment for however many dozens of times before it starts to break in. MEGA PROPS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO DO!! If there is a sensible (crazy) shortcut to make something comfy, I’m all about it.
Anyway. Here’s a ridiculous picture of me in a towel and a soaking wet horse hide shirt. The wife and kid are on Spring Break and I’m home alone, so what better time for a weird experiment like this. I’ll post an update tomorrow (or next year) when it’s finally dry.

My faithful Donkey Punchers. Fresh from a Lexol wipe down and new Pisgah Range laces.

So I made it only about an hour laying in the bed last night with a jacket on. I was concerned about permanent creasing in the body of the shirt as well as folding up the collar. I took the shirt off and hung it over a door knob by the collar so as to not warp the shoulders with a hanger. Six hours later woke up, and the shirt was only slightly drier than when I took it off. It was, however, much stiffer. Upon donning it, my body heat took away the stiffness. It still had well formed creases on the sleeves. The shoulders and chest were still fitted, as before, when wet, and the collar where I folded it at the stitching seam appears to be in place (not riding high on my neck). I can tell as all the moisture will leave the shirt it will become as stiff as before. So with regards to draping and accelerating the break-in, I don’t think there is any easy way, other than extended wear.

The placket has slightly warped, in a good way. it’s more wavy now, but the buttons are still aligned and no issues with popping. Looks natural and not “starched”.

I think my 2 favorite results are the collar and the sleeves. I haven’t measured sleeves yet, but they are definitely shorter than before this experiment… stacking. Also, on the cuffs, I now have really cool creases that look much better than when new. The collar isn’t stabbing me under the jaw. It’s folded neatly at the seam and the collar points are spread and laying closer to the yoke.

The color has lightened slightly, but the Pecard’s application (2 total, once brand new, once when damp) is bringing out a great caramel color.

Overall this is a win for me. While not completely relaxed, it is now “my” shirt. I think this is a much better jumping off point for wearing over time.

Bottom line: Wearing experience and comfort is VASTLY improved. Gone is the feeling “I can’t believe I spent this amount of money on a self-torture device”.

I think it will be dry by tonight. I will wear it ALL day. I will measure it then.

Suns out! Getting warm! Family is home and we’re slowly getting back into the groove. Young son was very reluctant to go to school. Don’t blame him!

Viansa Vineyards
IHSH-227 IND
Cheap Target t shirt
555-21
Mr Lou Maryam Toscano

Little shoutout to my Newman Tan Roughout’s from Anderson Bean. Resoled - when new - by the team at Unsung. I also had the shaft shortened and straightened.
I love these damn things and have been wearing them a ton. The tan goes well with every outfit.

Unedited Pale Rider porn. So happy with the results. Some early morning rays.

BACK TO THE LABORATORY, IGOR!!!

Unable to leave well enough alone, more experimenting today.
I was unhappy with the waviness that happened in the placket. And I’m still looking for an avenue to soften the leather.
-I wore it in a warm shower.
-slathered it with Bick’s neatsfoot oil. (This might be the secret sauce, TBD).
-Hung it on a hanger with a towel for padding. Hoping to avoid shoulder bumps
-weighed down the placket with crescent wrenches, using rags in between the metal and the leather. Just tight enough to keep the tools from falling off.
-also hung wrenches on the side. Why the sides? After wearing it the first time, the stomach area was flared from sitting down.
-now drying in the sun. It’s very cold here. 40 degrees F.
I swear this is my last effort to intervene on this jacket. Just hard wear going forward.
Full results with fit pics when it dries completely.
Again, no regrets with these experiments. I find it impossible to hurt this shirt/leather. Just hopefully getting closer to a functional, comfy moto shirt/jacket.

Home from España! Rainy day!
Cheap acrylic beanie
Pale Rider
555-21
Donkey Punchers

Swinging by this thread always provides the tightest fits and great inspiration. Thank you ALL!

Carhartt beanie
JMM Dealan Umit Benan
Y2 Leathers Roughout Chore The Shop Vancouver
555-21
Vans

Snow day in Cleveland!!
Montana Cattle Ranch
IHSW-39
555-21
Donkey Punchers
*special thanks to @Memphisakers

Breakfast in Barcelona in my Fellini beige.
I’m just outside Optica Toscana. Great JMM selection.
I tried in the Herbie in Noir with an amber lens and a Molino 55 in Frost green. They both look great. I’ll post a pic if I grab a pair.

First spring ride!!! Suns out! Still cold as hell!!

Terry Black’s BBQ
IHV-28
Deus
555-21
Vintage 1993 RW Pecos (gift from my mom freshman year of college).

Back from another Tennessee run. Man, it was awesome down there. Perfect flying weather.
T Black’s BBQ
JMM Dayton in Rover
IHSH-330 OLV pimped with brass
J Crew
Rainbow

@weegeebee1 measurements were per the former IH chart (this is a first run model). I will measure it again when completely dry.
i think something in the finish was released when it became wet. The water was dull brown when I got out. It almost feels like it’s a size bigger! Definitely not smaller. But that makes sense. There is absolutely no rigidity, and it has that oh-so sought after drape now. The pic below, I hope shows how flexible and soft it is just sitting here on the couch. But I know it’s not going to stay that way as it dries. The real results will be tomorrow after I sleep in it and it is coated with Pecard’s. I almost guarantee if it were to dry without being worn, I’d lose the benefits of the form fit and accelerating the break-in. TBD.
My best guess as to the results:
-the shoulders and chest will be form fitted and stretched to my dimensions. No more button pops.
-The sleeves will retain their creases and the cuffs will ride higher.
-Stitching will pucker. (Cool…)
Corners (pocket flaps, collar points) will have a worn-in shape.
The color will lighten, but not be pinkish, like when new.

Oh yeah, if you like leather smell… wow big time. Smells great!

Some final notes on this experiment.
-Definitely some shrinkage was experienced. I’d say a 1/2 size. No room for layering other than a T-shirt or a long sleeved T-shirt. Just how I wanted it.
-leather is still stiff, but not like it was when new. Manageable now.
-This now fits me like a bespoke item. I think wearing while it dried helped with that.
-areas that had the most friction from articulation showed signs of dryness compared to unaffected areas. Nothing dramatic, just lightened coloring.
-2 coats of Pecard’s before and after the soak was used to avoid excessive drying out of the leather. I didn’t want it to be stressed at all, other than normal wear.
-finally rubbed it down with mink oil that contained a silicone additive. I think I’d of forgone the 2nd coat of Pecard’s (when damp) and just used the mink oil instead. The way the leather is tanned, it is very reluctant to absorb the dressing. I bet this changes as the shirt is broken in and the fibers open up.

Post script: This was a super fun and chill project. I can’t wait to get it on the bike!

Been commuting (48miles, one way) on my Road King last 2 weeks. It’s everything I wanted. Storage, smooth ride, comfortable and sporty suspension, and I’m really happy with the aesthetics. Definitely more “Dyna Bagger” than Grandpa dresser. LOL.
The FXRT fairing and Baja Designs LED lights are on order and painting has been scheduled. Keeping the 100 Anniversary theme.
I’ll admit I could’ve probably bought a Dyna/FXR to achieve what we see here, but I really wanted the bagger geometry and road feel. When riding I feel so much more planted. No doubt, this bike is heavier than the alternative…
I’m not a windshield guy (for looks) but damn is it a slice of heaven rolling down the highway at 80 and not getting blasted by the air. I show up to work exhilarated, not fatigued. The fairing should tie everything together. Cruising comfort and looks.

Weather still sucking here. Off to Cali this weekend and might get to experience the “atmospheric river”. Not psyched about that.
Dickies
1213
555-21
Donkey Punchers

It showed up today. Pimped with brass snaps. Comfy on a warm spring evening with shorts. TBD on how well this shirt will do with summer temps, but sheesh it’s comfy right out of the bag. Soft like a UHF. Solid shirt, and I really really really like the olive green.

The Pale Rider has landed. Fit is perfect for me. I’m shorter, so the front length is about an inch longer than I prefer, but it’s a minor complaint. Also I am popping buttons with extreme arm movement. I’m going to explore mods to make the snaps just a tad more tight.
In the pic with my unhappy-at-this-moment son, you really can see the stout, cardboard-like hand of the leather. My initial thoughts are: if one can break this beast, you’ll have a friend for life. Like 3 lifetimes.
I liberally hand slathered it with Pecard’s Antique formula and put it outside in the sun. It’s sunny and cold here… I believe the leather shade/color benefits from the UV and not the air temp…
TBD if I decide to soak it. I like the idea of “form fitting” it, but I also recognize the process will probably do nothing to soften it. It’s just gonna take days/months/years of hard wear. That said, I’ve noticed on @louisbosco jacket that the seams have puckered slightly and the collar has formed beautifully. I really like those details!
I’m taking off to Spain tomorrow, and the shirt will stay home, passively absorbing the Pecard’s in the closet.
Thanks to all you Pale Rider Riders for the insight, advice and first hand experience. This will be a cool ride.