Bell and Roland Sands bring on a super-slick open face, Pike Brothers make the excellent ever better, Woolrich keep on keeping on, TCX goes urban, and Niyona bring a touch of perfection to your tools. All in the first Gear Guide of 2015.
BELL CUSTOM 500 RSD CHECK IT HELMET
“The original, the godfather, the best.” Back in 1954 Bell founder Roy Richter formed his first helmet out of fiberglass and named it the “500.”The Bell 500 was the first open faced helmet with a slim profile to gain DOT certification, and has become iconic in the new wave custom scene.
The Custom 500 has been given a going over from Roland Sands Design to become the 500 RSD Check It helmet. Completed in a high gloss finish, the subtle checker pattern is handsome and appropriate to pretty much any style of custom bike. A new head-form means the Custom 500 now fits better and looks smaller on your head than ever. No more lollipop heads.
The thin-profile shell allows the helmet to sit lower on the head, and with 5 shell and EPS sizes, it’s now even easier to find the look you want with the perfect fit. The 500 comes with a 5 snap pattern for shields and visors, and a D-ring closure as standard. It has a padded chin strap with a leather D ring pull tab, a multi density EPS liner in five different sizes. It comes with a five year warranty and a DOT certification. It weighs 1200 grams.
Bell have introduce many other cool designs to their Custom 500 range from swirling metal flake to intricate pin striping, matt grey primer to solid black gloss.
PIKE BROTHERS WAXED N1 DECK JACKET
I took delivery of my N-1 deck jacket a year ago, and I’ve worn it almost non stop since, both on the bike and off. It’s warm, comfortable, tough and good looking. I thought it was damn near perfect, until Pike Brothers added a 3-layer wax making it “almost” water proof. In it’s original form it’s pretty water resistant!
The 1944 N-1 Deck Jacket was issued to all U.S. Navy Personnel during WW2. It saw action from the beaches of Normandy to the Pacific Islands and became one of the most used and most favoured jackets of the U.S. Armed Forces in the 1940s. The general construction of the jacket combined a thick outer layer of “Jungle Cloth” with a wool lining making it wind resistant, and the now added wax coating repels water, keeping the wearer warm and comfortable even under the harshest conditions. I can bear witness to this, it’s insulated and snug, keeping drafts out. The collar pulls up high to protect the neck, and it buttons high up on the front.
Pike Brothers was founded by George and Joseph Pike in 1930. Their small but exclusive tailoring shop was located in the Portobello Road, Notting Hill, in the heart of London. Their specialty was custom-made menswear. During the Second World War with a steadily growing number of American soldiers coming to Britain, the Pike Brothers also specialized in the production of uniforms for the U.S. Armed Forces. They combined the finest fabrics with European craftsmanship and created an unmistakable profile of sturdy American menswear with European influence; a heritage to which they are still committed today. Pike Brothers have a strong affiliation with the classic and custom motorcycle scene and Hotrods.
This a terrific improvement on an already outstanding jacket. It comes in Khaki or Olive.
TCX X-GARAGE BOOT
TCX are a brand more associated with motorcycle sport, but they have introduced a more urban styled boot with the X-Garage.
The TCX X-Garage Boots incorporate modern protective features and a light weight yet durable vintage leather into a classic moc-toe wedge sole boot. Just as comfortable off the bike as they are on, the X-Garage fills a gap many bikers have been looking to fill for years combining modern protection and classic style. These clearly draw influence from Redwings and Frye boots, but come from the protective angle, specifically in the ankle.
They come with a full grain vintage leather upper and an air mesh breathable lining, with a reinforced toe and heel counter, an anatomically correct and replaceable foot-bed and an ultra light EVA compound sole.
They incorporate the TCX Comfort Fit System. This almost entirely manual technique allows the boot to be shaped on a “mould that faithfully reproduces the anatomy of the foot, making the product exceptionally comfortable and ideal for prolonged use in different situations.”
These are a good compromise between style and safety, they don’t look quite as good as a pair of Redwings or Chippewas, but have the extra protective elements specific to motorcycling. They come at a reasonable price too.
WOOLRICH MEN’S CHARLEY SHIRT JAC
Whether you’re an aspiring Lumbersexual, a beardy hipster, or just want to keep warm on your bike, this is a great mid-layer shirt to be worn under a Trailmaster style jacket, or any mid length leather jacket.
Woolrich products have serviced outdoor pursuits for more than 180 years. They design functional, comfortable and durable garments for men and women using traditional fabrics like wool, cotton and down. In recent years, in an effort to provide comfort and protection in all conditions, they’ve incorporated more technical performance fibers, like nylon and polyester.
As the oldest continuously operating woolen mill in the United States, the Woolrich Mill provided wool blankets to Civil War soldiers, and continues to produce some of the country’s finest wool blankets today.
“Over the years we have pioneered many clothing styles that have become American Classics, a number of which are still popular today”.
Woven in their Pennyslavnia woolen mill, the Charley Brown Shirt Jacket is a Woolrich heritage shirt with its vintage wool pattern. The wind-resistant shell and plaid lining provide a high level of comfort and insulation to keep you warm on the bike in the winter months.
It features upper chest pockets with button closure flaps, an internal security pocket. The shell is 85% wool and 15% nylon. The lining is a polyester and acrylic mix. This is a good addition to your riding kit.
These are warm and good looking shirts, and work well off the bike as well as on it. The Charly Shirt Jac comes in a number of different colour checks.
NIYONA TOOL ROLL
I met the crew from Niyona last June at Wheels & Waves and was incredibly impressed by their work. Based out of Brussels, they are a leather goods company that make all of their products in their local workshop.
One of their best sellers is a beautiful hand made tool roll that comes with two detachable pockets, one for tools and a pouch for loose goods like fuses, cable ties, spare nuts and bolts etc. You can use both bags separately or click them together, roll them up and you’re ready to go. It has two adjustable straps to attach it to your frame or bars, and is fastened together with a ball stud and strap.
Apart from being practical and durable, this will look great on your bike.
Its dimensions are 24 cm long x 17high x 6 wide. The construction and finishing is exceptional. It is currently available in tan, but will be available in black and denim early this year.
via The Bike Shed
