Motorcycle Leather Jacket Origins and Construction

Motorcycle leather jacket construction was originally based on the WWII aviator style. In fact, the first jackets used for motorcycle riding were the A-2 military flight jackets. Aero Leather was one of the first companies to construct the flight jackets. The company used specifications provided by the Army Air Corps, a branch of the military that eventually became the US Air Force. The jackets were also referred to as "bomber" style, a name that is still in common usage today.

The A-2 flight jacket had two top-closing pockets with no hand slots in the pockets. The military preferred that their pilots keep their hands at their sides. Leather gloves were provided for warmth and protection.

One of the specifications provided was to construct the back of a single piece of leather. Single large pieces of leather are more durable. There is less stress on the seams.The number of pieces used to construct a garment or other leather item is one factor used to judge quality. Generally speaking, the fewer the pieces used to make the item, the higher the quality.

Schott began manufacturing jackets specifically for motorcycle riding in the 1920s. Buegeleisen started manufacturing leather jackets, saddlebags and other accessories in the 1930s and 1940s.

Indian Motorcycles and Harley Davidson manufactured some of the more popular early styles. Indian introduced the Ranger for men and the Rangerette for women during the 1940s. The main difference between the men's and women's style was the positioning of the pockets.The original Indian Ranger and Rangerette designs had one zippered pocket. The men's pocket was located on the right side of the jacket. The women's pocket was located on the left.