New Guy with a Question about Leathers

[Timecycles]

Good morning - This is my first post and this year will be my first trip to the salt. I am building a 39 Triumph 500 cc to race in the vintage class. There is a lot to learn and a lot of work in the shop but it is pretty exciting to be on a new project. I do have a question about leathers and would appreciate any input. I understand that leathers must be single suit or two piece zipped together but the "all leather" does pose a question. Can the leathers have venting or expansion panels made of a man made fabric? Many of the leathers I have looked at are made for racing (street racing maybe) and have some fabric at the joints or around the arms. Any comments will be much appreciated - Regards.

[narider]

fabric at the joints or around the arms. Any comments will be much appreciated - Regards.

And I'm betting you're going to get some Welcome to the pasture!

Would love to see pics of your bike btw.
Todd

[fredvance]

Welcome, always good to see new faces. I am pretty new myself and asked the same question, the answer is 100% leather. awhile back someone (Jon Minnano)had a fire and got burned pretty bad and the non leather parts made it worse,hence the 100% leather rule.

[Timecycles]

My apologies - I didn't do a search on the topic before posting. It seems this is a problem others before me have encountered. Any updates?
Thanks for the welcome Todd - I will post some pictures as soon as I can. - Regards

[Timecycles]

Thanks fredvance - the leathers may pose a bit of a problem - no worries we are committed! Regards

[Nortonist 592]

Last year I bought a set of leathers that had cloth panels in the armpit, crotch, and behind the knees.  Also the chest area was highly perforated.   I showed them to Tom at an El Mirage meet and his suggestion was to "glue" leather patches over the cloth area and to usw a "smear" of silicon over the perfs. and all would be well.  I bought some leather and the leatherman suggested a glue called Leather Weld.  Looks like wood glue but clings like a bad name.  I took a spreader and skimmed a coat of silicone over the perfs. and got my metal button without a hitch.  If your leathers have cloth panels don't spend a fortune getting someone to sew patches for you.  Do it yourself with glue and have a few more bucks to spend on the bike.

[fredvance]

I did alot of looking around on line(ebay),asked questions and figured out that if you are in it for the long run,the way to go is with custom made leathers.I drug out my old road race leathers,called the people who made them(Vanson) and they can let them out, seems like I have grown a bit thru the years. Good luck. Looking forward to the pics of your bike. FRED

[Stainless1]

You can find close to scta spec leathers on ebay regularly, they will be used, but usable and usually a $130 or so.  Perforation vents have been allowed if the area can be covered by your palm.  But it is always inspectors choice if he will pass them so the easy way is cover up.  Of course we also learned this year that leather will not protect you from burns if you have a fire, most wear carbonX or nomex underwear... 

[narider]

Maybe if you show up in techline with it on and sweating enough(possibly throw water on your face), then they will be thought to be of purebred hefer origin? I do find it odd that it's cow and not bull that is required though.
Todd

[Sumner]

Maybe if you show up in techline with it on and sweating enough(possibly throw water on your face), then they will be thought to be of purebred hefer origin? I do find it odd that it's cow and not bull that is required though.
Todd

Don't forget the steers..............

........they probably wish someone would of forgotten them........

Sum

[WildBro]

Maybe if you show up in techline with it on and sweating enough(possibly throw water on your face), then they will be thought to be of purebred hefer origin? I do find it odd that it's cow and not bull that is required though.
Todd

That's funny Todd 
No longer the all cow rule but will be known as the ALL BULL rule
I never knew you were that witty.

Here's a pic I have on my web site,  No all bull there.


I really wish they would let us wear normal race leather and just add CarbonX unders.

Bill

[firemanjim]

Timecycles.Leathers for SCTA or USFRA events must have NO cloth/fabric insert area as lots of the newer sets have and minimal vent holes in armpit,behind knee. It was indeed as a result of John's fire BUT--- he was burnt as a result of steam generated from his own sweat and not from any venting perforations and fabric areas. Heat applied to outside of leathers transferred through and flashed sweat to steam. He has even come on here and explained all of that but the rules folks took none of our knowledable input,thus the "all Cow" rule.
I have had good luck getting sets that fit those rules on both eBay and Craigslist. Just need to look for an older or non roadrace set.
Course,at Bub's you can wear what you want.

[Timecycles]

Thanks for all your input guys - Regards Timecycles

[Stainless1]

The Bull rule... Todd, that is pretty funny stuff, can be applied to several of the bike rules, but really gives the cow thing a new spin.  The guy that was burned this year was in his bull suit... still got some bad leg burns.   
The Bull rule, I like it... 

[JackD]

You guys must be a gang  huh ?
The rule you mention is popularly known as the "OLD BULL RULE".
This is only a near quote as I remember, but it is from one of the rulers.
I have the exact words in my archives, but you will get the picture.
"I don't have time for such foolishness as on Landracing.com."