RMC 100 vs RC speedster zipper question

[cl206]

Hello! In Japan rn and need some education. I still need to visit a few more shops. Can anyone shed any light on which of the two (j100 or speedster) has more robust default zippers? I was able to try them both on and am leaning towards one of them unless I find something else in the next few days. to me they both seem like weak points. Thanks for any help!

*anecdotal comments would be awesome!
*not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination on these two btw
*did try on a LL single rider and the zip (clix) was beefy

 

[Tom71]

Hello! In Japan rn and need some education. I still need to visit a few more shops. Can anyone shed any light on which of the two (j100 or speedster) has more robust default zippers? I was able to try them both on and am leaning towards one of them unless I find something else in the next few days. to me they both seem like weak points. Thanks for any help!

*anecdotal comments would be awesome!
*not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination on these two btw
*did try on a LL single rider and the zip (clix) was beefy

AFAIK both use a 1950´s Talon main zipper in size No. 5. (@Mrfrown can confirm re the RC). Not very sturdy.

Other than that, both are great jackets, and since you are in JP you should go for one of them, as the prices here in Europe have left the outer spheres of reasonableness.

The LL "Single Rider" would be the Dominator, I guess?! Absolutely indestructible zipper, but I see little value in buying in JP. Prices elsewhere should be more attractive.

 

[cl206]

Hi Tom thank you for the reply. It is as I suspected both zippers could be better. The LL jacket didn't really impress me overall and yes price wise the two mentioned are very attractive. Will definitely update when I get back.

edit: I couldn't find the LL on the website but the front looks like the super sportsman except there are single side adjusters and a hor and vert seams in the back. that chest badging was a lot more noticeable in person which I wasn't a fan of

 

[cl206]

I would suggest you try The Flathead version of a J100, or a Finecreek Richard as well, since you are in Japan. You may also be able to find Toys McCoy Beck Cafe Racer in stock.

I say this becauase I was just deciding between the Flathead, Speedster and Richard, and I chose the Richard in end.

The Richard and the TM Beck666 (which I owned previously), are the two well known Japanese cafe racer style models that use french seams (which I value greatly).

Good to know! Will do. Did try the FH and did not like the fit (38 was still pretty tight on the arms but not torso and I didnt want to go to 40 but did try it and was boxy) and leather (one was cowhide and the other deer. I actually liked the veg tanned HH more). The others I will imvestigate. Thanks!

 

[cl206]

This may be an unpopular opinion but I just want to mention that ime the fw/rc linings are not the best.

If it’s the thick cotton moleskin it can get bulky, especially around the armhole and throughout the sleeves, and sometimes bothersome.

And if it’s the thinner satin just note that it’s a bit fragile and can start to fray easily with constant rubbing, particularly around the cuffs and hem.

Actually the lining felt and worn fine in my initial wear (Im actually looking for a lighter weight for the warmer seasons as my other two as heavier for winter. The one I didnt like was the LL, it was rather coarse feeling. as soon as I put that on I was like ouch not a fan of the lining.

 

[cl206]

So you’re considering the speedster with the satin lining? If so, I agree it’s silky smooth to wear and put on or take off, quite impressive how it’s built too as it’s almost a panel per panel replica of the jacket including its own bi-swing back, but again that satin seems to want to fray really quick in the areas that get extra rubbing like cuffs and hem.

I haven’t really worn mine much, and mostly inside the house, but it’s already showing signs of wear, none of my other linings are even close to showing signs of wear, I’m really surprised they would choose such a fragile material, especially with how they sew the lining all the way to the edge of the cuffs and hem, maybe it’s just historically accurate like the flimsy zippers.

+1 to RMC and -1 to RC. We are going to Kyoto today and will check out some used shops. Never know what I will find. I'm clearly not going custom and understand will need to make some compromises. Thanks for your input!

 

[cl206]

Yeah don’t get me wrong, the leather and graining are beautiful and the pattern is great and allows for a slim fit without mobility restrictions.

Just good to keep in mind it’s drawbacks when picking amongst several similar models.

It wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, flimsy zipper and all.

Yes I understand and feel the same way. Hard to get a perfect jacket so I need to weigh the pros and cons but atm Japan is fascinating and 100% enjoyable. If I don't come back with a jacket it is ok!

 

[cl206]

Thats good for me to know about that flathead j100 fit, since I've never tried it on Thanks. They do have it in very thick shinki horsehide as well i think?

I really am biased since I have the FCL Richard now. But for so long I avoided it because so many here said their patterns are not good. But I have found the pattern on this Richard to really suit me, very fitted, well designed for a slim fit with amazing range of movement.

View attachment 722700

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And this was the Toys McCoy Beck666

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I realise I've sort of derailled from what you actually asked, which was about zipper quallity between two models you already decided on, probably having done your own well informed research and settling on RMC J100 and RC Speedster.

I'll just say that, RMC has a repair department, they can repair and restore their leather jackets. I have a feeling that rainbow country has no such after sales service, but correct me if im wrong. Maybe that would put your mind at ease for any future zipper failures if you bought the RMC J100

Ooh I think I like the horizontal chest zippers more, less menacing looking lol on the beck 666. both look great otherwise, with the edge to the beck imo

IIRC the 38 FH j100 was very slim and the sleeves, especially the forearms, were very tight and when we went to 40 the sleeves became too long. I think that was the reason.

 

[cl206]

Ooh I think I like the horizontal chest zippers more, less menacing looking lol on the beck 666. both look great otherwise, with the edge to the beck imo

IIRC the 38 FH j100 was very slim and the sleeves, especially the forearms, were very tight and when we went to 40 the sleeves became too long. I think that was the reason.

Phshfo or anyone else, where can I find the beck666 or FCL richard in Kyoto or Toyko or Osaka? Having a hard time locating shops that carries these two. definitely not gonna get a jacket without trying them on. I "may" have found the one Im gonna buy but wanted to exhaust all my options/opportunities

 

[Mrfrown]

Yes agreed the zippers are #5 repros. Small, look cool, need to be handled gently at first. I think they make more sense on RC jackets than Aero ones but not the super robust, easy from day one kind of thing you get from Vanson

 

[floater]

Phshfo or anyone else, where can I find the beck666 or FCL richard in Kyoto or Toyko or Osaka? Having a hard time locating shops that carries these two. definitely not gonna get a jacket without trying them on. I "may" have found the one Im gonna buy but wanted to exhaust all my options/opportunities

I would try branstormers as it looks sold out in the smaller shops, also if you’re looking at the richard might as well look at the ekins, similar cr with slightly higher placed slant chest pockets, different back and no windflap.

 

[cl206]

I would try branstormers as it looks sold out in the smaller shops, also if you’re looking at the richard might as well look at the ekins, similar cr with slightly higher placed slant chest pockets, different back and no windflap.

Ha funny you should mention Barnstormers bc unfortunately they are too far too travel, just not enough time and on their website I don't believe they have the beck nor FCL. I actually almost made the 3 hr train trip from tokyo but opted for the ueno zoo. no regrets.

 

[cl206]

Yes agreed the zippers are #5 repros. Small, look cool, need to be handled gently at first. I think they make more sense on RC jackets than Aero ones but not the super robust, easy from day one kind of thing you get from Vanson

yep on my aero j106 I got last year even though the universals are #5 Ive had no issues with them.

 

[cl206]

I am really sorry but I have little experience with shopping physical stores in Japan, I just presumed there would be a number of stores with them readily available. I live in China where there is physical stores stocking both.

Man all this talk of the speedstr, has me wanting one in that shade of brown.

Whenever I have a choice between two jackets, and I choose one, at that moment I'm sure I chose the right one, then as the weeks go buy, wish I could try owning both!

lol yes it's called jacket envy! the other one you didnt buy always seems to tempt you!

 

[cl206]

Barnstormers for sure stocks fcl and all their umbrella brands, so do a group of smaller shops like danny store, fresno, rrc-66 (phillips 66) and mephalto.

Oh I meant on their website I dont remember seeing the richard, at least not size 38?

when I clicked on the TMC link there was like nothing IIRC

 

[cl206]

Actually yes I have seen recent videos from danny store saying they have it in stock again for this season

Thanks either way making a trip out to Gotembo isn't gonna work for us and thats ok.

 

[floater]

Sadly danny store is up north, way farther than barnstormers.

But you should try the others, I’m not sure where their physical stores are but hopefully one is close, because if danny store got a restock most likely the others did as well.

 

[cl206]

Sadly danny store is up north, way farther than barnstormers.

But you should try the others, I’m not sure where their physical stores are but hopefully one is close, because if danny store got a restock most likely the others did as well.

Great! Thank you. Barnstormer looked like quite a store too!


BTW I am also considering a japanese made belt. black with a square buckle. I saw some really thick leather ones at General Garden/americaya. Anyone I should consider and anyone I should avoid?