A couple of things

[socwkbiker]

Recently I had a conversation with some guys about how much we absolutely HATE chaps. The belt never keeps them up (unless you're skinny), they always seem to drop just enough to expose the tops of your legs when you need them, and they just don't stay up. I repeated that one because that's the biggest complaint. Well, someone mentioned a different type of chap, a beltless type. Well today, I found them:

http://www.baddasschaps.com/custom-motorcycle-leather/home.php?cat=126

Beltless chaps. I'm thinking of buying a pair to see just how much better they are.

Secondly, this last Saturday, I completed my prospect time with Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) and became an officially patched member. Now I can serve the kids in an increased capacity and help empower them to new heights. This is a patch I am truly proud to wear.

[cyclecat]

I made a pair of these 'chaps' (I call them leggings) for my friend Charlie 2 years ago and he absolutely loves them. Easy to get on and off and as long as your pants stay up, so do the chaps.

If I were you, I'd look to see if anyone else is making them; I looked again at the website and noticed the zippers have no cover over them. Get caught in the rain and the zippers will leak; for $179, they should at least have the rain guard on the zippers.

[petenomad]

Watchman had a pair of these in OK last year. I think it was a differernt brand than that though.

[petenomad]

Oh, and congratulations on the BACA achievement. This is an admirable thing you are doing.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Nice looking chaps on the link. Thanks for posting.

[Top Cat]

CycleCat has a good point about the zippers.
She must work with leather or something to notice that. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ;)

[ringadingh]

Ive never cared much for chaps myself, they look awkward on a lot of people Ive seen wearing them.
Congratulations Jeff on your BACA membership, I would have given you a +karma back in the old days. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[skeeter]

congrats on the patch.

[rickyboy]

Congrats on the patch Jeff,....let us know how the chaps work out. Maybe CycleCat can give us a price to make a pair.

[peterdarby]

congratulation on the patch that is good work. Looks like those chaps will work. I am lucky in that I can do leatherwork and when I decided to make my own I had a friend who had made them professionally. By picking her brain I was able to get some important measurements you don't see on any instructions. I have worn the same pair for the last 15 years or so. Including one slide/roll on the pavement and they are still good and the fit is great. And most importantly they aren't made from garmet leather like so many you see on the rack.

[leadbelly]

Ya, chaps look like ..... think I'll be going with oversized Joe Rocket waterproof riding pants to slip on over my jeans. At least pants will keep the boys warm & dry.

Good thing you are doing with kids, congrats of the patch.

[watchman]

My chaps are made by Leather Gallery, price I think was around $125.00. Got them at Larry's Western Wear at the Midway Truck Stop just west of Columbia, MO. You might be able to find Leather Gallery on line and order them.

And congrats on the getting the patch I know you will be a great asset to the group.

[oldbikers]

Jeff where were you when we were in Antlers we looked those chaps up on mine and Trips computers oh I for got old age will make you forget http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Congrats on your new patch I know you worked hard for it and BACA does a great job.

Here is another site for the chaps.
http://www.dynamicleather.com/882_Single_leg_chap_shotgun_chap.htm

[Idaho]

Hey Jeff,

Congrats on earning your BACA colors. That is an awesome achievement. They do a lot of great things for kids in need. I went on one of their rides to induct a couple of little kids about 4 years ago and it was very inspiring. Way to go.

Good luck with the chaps.

[audiogooroo]

Congrats Bro!

[cyclecat]

My price would be considerably higher on a pair of leggings. It takes a while to hand make them and I use 6 ounce chap leather which is pretty much twice as heavy as most chap makers use. I also have no seams on chaps - no seam on the inside of the leg or seams going around the leg - I use whole hides and do not need to patch the leather together. I should say I do not like making chaps, they are time consuming and not the type of leather I like to work with.

You need to measure in 7 places to custom fit chaps - waist, hips, upper thigh 1" below crotch, 2" above the knee, the knee, 6" below the knee, and of course the inseam. Leather pants or chaps do not need to be hemmed; a hem is just a fold in the leather to collect dust or rain. Leather does not fray so no need to hem.

[Griz]

Jeff, congratulations on the BACA patch. A friend of mine that I ride with some is the President of the local chapter here. They do a lot of great work for kids.

[Netnorske]

Jeff,
Congrats on earning the colors of BACA. I just ran into a couple of those guys last week at the local stealership. They were promoting a group ride. They saw me pull in and said they LOVED the sound of my UB's.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif!

As for the chaps....welcome to my world of S,F & NF's....(Short, Fat and Nothin' Fits.... ;)). I lucked into a pair that fit pretty good, but tried on a ton of others before I found them....

[hammer]

Congratulations Jeff. It is great to see a member contributing and giving back that way.

I like chaps for the long tours but don't like the extra bulk of 2 belts at the back so the beltless idea looks pretty good.