So I have laying on my free futon a new 2 piece leather Fieldsheer Radar suit. I think it was the last one that Newenough had, after I bought it, all the rest in the drop down showed to be out of stock, so, it was a really good buy, and the construction looks great.
The problem is the sizing. I had to get a 46 in order to fit me (6', 180#)... so the jacket is ok but a little big in the body, arm length is good. The pants, the length is perfect, but i need to add about 30 lbs of fat to make the waist fit properly.
I guess I have two questions... has anyone with a similar situation used a tailor to get out of the pants-waist predicament? I have a 33" waist so these 40's or whatever they are are a tad loose. If they were modified it would probably take care of the problem. About 70% of the waist is elastic so that could replaced with something tighter. Because of the purchase price, I'm willing to put quite a bit into having the pants waist redone.
The other option is to get pants that fit... but I don't see much luck in finding matching pants to this suit as a trade that will fit me.
So in writing this, it appears that I need to find an tailor with experience with leather (that should be a fun explanation) and get an estimate on what it would take.
I know there are custom suits available that I could have fit to me, but I really don't feel like forking over $800 or $1200 for one of those.
I have experience with Z's Custom Leathers here in Santa Ana, CA. The made a two-piece set for me and the fit is absolutely perfect so I can recommend them for their quality of work. I know from talking to them that they also do alterations and repairs on all brands of gear, so I would give them a call. I can't guess about the cost for what you want done though, other than they do good work and you get what you pay for. Adolph (the owner) will also be able to step you through the fit and measurements.
I understand your problem. I got a Tecknic Chicane jacket and Teknic lightning pants as a gift from a relative. the Jacket at size 44 fits me great while the pants, also a 44 (waist and legnth are spot on), has too much room around the legs and thighs I was wondering if much of this room can be easily taken in by taking away some of the stretch panel material down the legnth of the leg (taking a 2 inch strip off down the middle of the panels) instead of goofing around with the harder leather parts.
I'm wondering if I and "Thereisnospoon" can do this instead, using a "regular" tailor/altering shop that might charge less than a leather specialist..........instead of me maybe trying to grow "thunder" thighs and calves to fill in the pants legs.
I do not really want to spend too much to alter these relatively inexpensive leathers.
[image: View Post]Beck, on May 15 2009, 01:10 PM, said:
I understand your problem. I got a Tecknic Chicane jacket and Teknic lightning pants as a gift from a relative. the Jacket at size 44 fits me great while the pants, also a 44 (waist and legnth are spot on), has too much room around the legs and thighs I was wondering if much of this room can be easily taken in by taking away some of the stretch panel material down the legnth of the leg (taking a 2 inch strip off down the middle of the panels) instead of goofing around with the harder leather parts.
I'm wondering if I and "Thereisnospoon" can do this instead, using a "regular" tailor/altering shop that might charge less than a leather specialist..........instead of me maybe trying to grow "thunder" thighs and calves to fill in the pants legs.
I do not really want to spend too much to alter these relatively inexpensive leathers.
Beck
95 VFR
The more I stare at them, and with your post, I'm going to take them to a regular tailor and tell them what I want... I think. If they can make "belt" to go over the elastic part, anchored on one end, adjustable on the other with literal belt loops between so it doesn't slide around... that may work http://www.vfrdiscus...tyle_emoticons/default/smile.gif
Same for yours, work with the soft panels. The leather work on this suit seems very good, even compared to quite expensive suits, so I'd rather not mess with that.
If anything, you might just want to make sure that the stichting method and materials that they will use on the fabric parts will be strong. "Regular" stiching methods/materials might not hold up in a crash. I guess you can have them copy a fabric seam that is already existing on the pants or jacket (or anither set you might have) that might show it best to them.
You should be able to find a leather tailor with experience working on motorcycle gear. I lucked into one locally who does all the repairs on race suits up here - very qualified to modify motorcycle gear since he repairs it. Far better choice than a regular clothing tailor who may or may not understand the stresses that leather can go through in the event of a concrete luge. You might want to call the local track/motorcycle racing organization to see who they recommend.
Custom tailoring will always fit better than something purchased off of the rack - you should be very happy with the results. :rolleyes:
I ran into the exact same situation. Radar 2 piece suit. Top fits great, pants are too big. I ordered mine from Iron Pony. I called them up and asked if they would do a "mix and match". They said they couldn't. However, they did sell me a second suit at an unbelievable price.
I'm just going to sell the pants from the first suit and the jacket from the second suit on line.
Going off on a slight tangent. I called Fieldsheer the first of the week to inquire about why the Radar 2 is so hard to find. Seems that everybody is basically sold out and those few suits out there are being marked down significantly. She told me a ship of new Radar 2's is scheduled to dock in SF on Monday, the 18th since it finally cleared customs. They will be sent to their warehouse and then distributed to NewEnough, Competition Accessories, Kneedraggers, etc within the next month.
I guarantee you they won't be available at the prices they're selling them at now.
There is a lady that is at all the CMRA races that does leather repairs and alterations.I think Panther City is the name of her business.She is in Ft. Worth.I need to get hold of her also.I got an Alpinestar suit for a good price from New Enough,but it is not perforated.
I just crimped over the elastic and stitched it together... quick and simple. I probably could have gone with one size smaller on the suit but the armor still fits well and the extra space moves more air.
Anyway, I love the way the suit feels. It adds confidence... I hadn't realized how much I must partially consciously pay attention to having worn textile stuff because with this on I really pay more attention to riding
End of thread · 10 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 25 Nov 2011
![[image: Posted Image]](http://media.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/544336/691541.jpg){kind=link}