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The J27, one of the highly sought
after Buco brand designs of the defunct Joseph Buegeleisen Company of Detroit, a longtime
and leading postwar motorcycle and police equipment manufacturer. Originally for highway patrol applications, with oversized chest pocket and
badge mount. Now, of course, for anyone who rides or wants an
extraordinary vintage jacket design that drips individuality. Anyone who covets
performance,
quality, durability, originality and beauty. (Unless, of course, it's important
to have an embossed logo on the back and a "Made Where It's Cheapest" non-USA
tag! In which case you've stumbled on the wrong website.)
The Buco J27 is
yet another incredible LOST WORLDS classic recreation of a horsehide classic
known but to a few ardent collectors and old-timers who've been there. Consider
the detailing above, the cut and profile, the dramatic sense emanated by
workmanship and accuracy of pattern. From time to time we're asked why we don't
"model" our jackets with "real," "live" people. LOST WORLDS jackets exude
so much presence, are so pure and unadorned, that the usual marketing clichés of
mediocrity and cookie cutter conformity would only contaminate. Our customers aren't
the sort who need posed attitudes. Turn on the idiot tube or open a magazine for
that. The jackets are the thing. The superfluous is
best left to others, to those, of whom there are countless, indeed the majority,
who must have the hype and plastic image-building. And plastic jackets.
Remember, ID tags are usually enclosed in plastic. A metaphor for current
society? Plastic won't buffet you from serious injury in a road spill as
we hear over and over LOST WORLDS jackets doing, to the amazement of our
customers and our deepest gratification. This is, after all, what we do. Our
jackets are equipment, not fashion, but because beauty is function they're
extraordinary looking. Back then, when men were men, form was function.
Built to take
punishment, destined itself to be an heirloom one day. Amazing
craftsmanship, simply without equal anywhere. LOST WORLDS jackets are lessons in
the lost art of American build quality. And built, of course, in
our heavyweight 4+ oz. Chrome-Tanned, Drum-Dyed Horsehide Leather, as the
originals were, everything made at our NYC factory.
Horsehide was
always the hide of choice in the old days because it's one of the toughest hides
extant but, when broken in to a soft, buttery hand (a rapid process -- wear it
and wear it in the rain), never diminishes in strength. On the bike, legendary for shock
absorption -- horsehair is still used as filler in the best mattresses for this
reason -- and abrasion resistance, both qualities absolutely essential in an
accident or spill. Infection from road rash is one of the great risks of motorcycle mishap.
Those who know,
know the proper jacket an essential component of the riding experience.
Just as with mechanical components, price is relative to what you need and what
you get. LOST WORLDS jackets are bargains.
Are they cheap? It depends how you define cheap. If a jacket keeps you from
serious injury in an accident, it's cheap at any price. If some logo-happy,
plasticky poseur doesn't, well, you, or the nurse, do the arithmetic.
100% Pure Nylon
Satin Lining, Cotton Drill Interlining, Brass Talon Front Zipper, Pocket
Zippers. All-American in production and materials, as it was and as it should
be. Quality in itself an education. What other clothing enriches one's knowledge
and appreciation of what America was -- and what, alas, it can never be again?
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