Showing our colors

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Group/list,

When I was at XSEast2002 this past Spring, I purchased the all important XSEleven large jacket patch, and smaller membership patch, but the jacket I had/have is my winter leather bomber's jacket, and although I'm quite proud of my XS heritage, I was concerned about messing it up trying to affix these patches to it, as well as being able to wear it at NON-biker functions/locations.

I met Dan Alexander there, and he wore this great leather vest on the "outside" of his jacket, with his patches and pins attached to it. And then I also remembered seeing on TV, similar outfits on other bikers, wearing their vests over their jackets.

So, I went shopping....local Hardley wanted $225.00 for just a friggin' vest, local bike shop wanted $75.00 for Non-Harley-grammed leather vest, even $50.00 for a Blue Jean one!!! Now, being the cheap....er...frugal XSive that I am, I decided to make my own, and only with the guidance of my sister-n-law/seamstress I obtained the pattern, the black denim, the snaps, and proceeded to create my own Patch Vest for the amazingly low price of about $15.00 ! !

I've ordered some custom patches from an embroidery shop to truly personalize it for me and my bike, and looking forward to showing it off at the NC rally, as well as all along the way from Va., XS Eleven 'Specials' RULE!!!

[Bob]

Da Only Way ta Fly

Yo, TopCat....Man that is the ONLY way to go. Patches & Pins on a vest ya wear over your Jacket....or without the jacket, already. And you built your own vest, too.....Way to Go!!! My wife made me a denim vest from old worn-out blue jeans. She used the front pants pockets for pockets on the vest: deep enough to comfortably carry a 1-liter bottle of water. I have had more comments & compliments on that vest than I can rememeber. It is by far my favorite vest (I have a factory-made leather vest, but it doesn''t fit as well.) She took some leather scraps--the largest piece was about 4 inches by 4 inches--and made herself a Patchwork leather vest. People are just simply amazed by it, always asking where she got it. *L* And, finally, I agree whole-heartedly with you....stores want absolutely outlandish prices for vests.

[Jerry]

Got a nice leather vest at TourExpo (Americade) a couple years ago, paid less than $50.00 for it. James Dille (at South Dakota rally this year) clued me in on the little chain expanders that hook to the vest snaps, makes the vest more comfortable for riding without having it flap around. I bought a pair at Stugis (not bike week) for around $5.00 a set or so, maybe a bit less. Have several patches to get sewed on, have to treat SWMBO extra nice...