I'm sure people have done this - how difficult is it to do? I'd like to get a replica a-2 flight jacket, but I want it to be more than fashion.
just get the undershirt armor suit
maybe you cna buy one of those and stitch it in?
other then that, you can buy armor in pieces. all you need is a pouch to hold it in. im sure a tailor could do it.
my concern would be the jacket holding up while sliding across the ground. If the jacket disintegrates then it won't matter how you've affixed the armor. My vote if you want to wear a fashion jacket would be to wear the under armor (fwiw forcefield makes a shirt as opposed to the cheap porno looking mesh stuff out there).
Quote from: COWBOY on September 14, 2009, 10:33:17 AM
my concern would be the jacket holding up while sliding across the ground. If the jacket disintegrates then it won't matter how you've affixed the armor. My vote if you want to wear a fashion jacket would be to wear the under armor (fwiw forcefield makes a shirt as opposed to the cheap porno looking mesh stuff out there).
Cowboy is correct. Fashion leather is usually in the 0.7mil range of thickness, whereas riding leather is usually in the 1.2-1.5mil range. That doesn't sound like much of a difference, but believe me, most fashion leathers will shred as soon as they hit the ground. Beside the leather issue, the stitching they use is just not designed to put up with the forces seen in a motorcycle crash. Save your time, money and skin and just look for a dedicated riding jacket who's looks you can live with.
I took an hold horsehide (thick) motorcycle jacket that had no pads and added aromor by sewing the armor into pockets then sewing the pockets to the liner. but as said before, if the jacket falls apart in a crash the armor wont do squat
This jacket is a replica of what the WWII fighter pilots wore. It's thick goat skin. I think it'd hold up in a tumble - I'm talking street speeds not highway or track riding.
But the armor shirt isn't a bad idea.
I have been wanting to do this with a Tweed coat for a long time.