Need To Have Pants Tailored

[thereisnospoon]

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.

Thoughts?

[NVR2L8]

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.

Z's Custom Leathers

714-890-5721

[Beck]

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

[thereisnospoon]

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

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.

Thanks for helping me think about this

[Beck]

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.

Beck

95 VFR

[Olive]

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:

[Guest]

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.

[ronimalvfr]

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.

[SLO97VFR]

I think it would be cheaper to go this route and just gain a few pounds:

[thereisnospoon]

I think it would be cheaper to go this route and just gain a few pounds:

After much debate I chose to not go with the above route.

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

[YoshiHNS]

To bring this topic back from the dead, I'm looking at getting a pair of Speed and Strength textile pants shortened up for the SO. pants are good for someone 5'10"-6', and she's only about 5'2". Tried calling a couple of manufacturers (eg, Aerostch) to see if they would do alterations on other brands. Liability reasons prevent them from doing so. Anyone know someone who can do it? Would like to get it done relatively soon.

[2thdr]

When I was in Spokane, I found a lady that did alterations on leather gear, mostly for the HD crowd, but she was quite capable at working with textile as well. You might check at the local HD shop and see if they have anyone they recommend.

Also I would check at your local track and see if they have a contact for someone who repairs race leathers. They probably will also work on textile gear. If you come up blank, I have the name and contact info of a lady here in Oklahoma that repairs race leathers.

[CharlesW]

I was lucky enough to find a seamstress through a fabric store in my area.

She replaced a zipper on one armored textile jacket and added a couple of velcro tabs on the cuffs of another.

Just ask some of the employees. It so happened that the woman that did the work for me was an employee of the store, but she did her sewing work from her home.

[wera803]

To bring this topic back from the dead, I'm looking at getting a pair of Speed and Strength textile pants shortened up for the SO. pants are good for someone 5'10"-6', and she's only about 5'2". Tried calling a couple of manufacturers (eg, Aerostch) to see if they would do alterations on other brands. Liability reasons prevent them from doing so. Anyone know someone who can do it? Would like to get it done relatively soon.

Is there any padding in the pants? Doesn't sound like it is as easy as cutting off the legs and putting a cuff on the bottom. She may end up with shin pads instead of knee pads.

So basically the whole pair of pants need to be pulled apart so they can be altered in the correct location. I think I would just look for a proper fitting pair instead and sell the ones you have.

[2thdr]

To bring this topic back from the dead, I'm looking at getting a pair of Speed and Strength textile pants shortened up for the SO. pants are good for someone 5'10"-6', and she's only about 5'2". Tried calling a couple of manufacturers (eg, Aerostch) to see if they would do alterations on other brands. Liability reasons prevent them from doing so. Anyone know someone who can do it? Would like to get it done relatively soon.

Is there any padding in the pants? Doesn't sound like it is as easy as cutting off the legs and putting a cuff on the bottom. She may end up with shin pads instead of knee pads.

So basically the whole pair of pants need to be pulled apart so they can be altered in the correct location. I think I would just look for a proper fitting pair instead and sell the ones you have.

Not only would the knee pad pockets need to be moved up, but the leg end zippers would have to be removed and reinstalled higher up...all in all a very involved procedure. Are they over the boot or in the boot pants? Is there a lining that holds the knee pads/pockets or no liner?

[YoshiHNS]

The problem is that there are no stock pants that fit her. She is short. I bought these pants because I got a really good deal on them and Didn't realize that Womens XS were still 32" in length.

Yes, they are over-boot style. Yes, it is pretty involved. The knee armor would have to be adjusted an inch up. Looks like the inner mesh lining is sewn to form a pocket for it, so that's not too hard to adjust. The zipper would have to be modified for it to be shortened. Need 4" taken off the bottom.

Maybe I could just have a second velcro strap sewn on at the correct height. So she would put them on, fold the bottom inside, and then velcro that across. Cheaper and easier way out.

[CharlesW]

The only "overpants" I own are Icon and I didn't think there was anyway in the world the knee armor was going to ever be in a place where it did any good. Instead, I use strap-on knee/shin guards which seem like they might be in the right place on an initial impact.

Does she even need the zippered openings? Some of the women's pants have almost a bell bottom lower leg.

Also, not to rain on your parade, but I rarely ever wear the overpants. I can usually get by with jeans wherever I'm going so I just wear Kevlar lined jeans.

I don't think I would buy the overpants again.

[2thdr]

The problem is that there are no stock pants that fit her. She is short. I bought these pants because I got a really good deal on them and Didn't realize that Womens XS were still 32" in length.

Yes, they are over-boot style. Yes, it is pretty involved. The knee armor would have to be adjusted an inch up. Looks like the inner mesh lining is sewn to form a pocket for it, so that's not too hard to adjust. The zipper would have to be modified for it to be shortened. Need 4" taken off the bottom.

Maybe I could just have a second velcro strap sewn on at the correct height. So she would put them on, fold the bottom inside, and then velcro that across. Cheaper and easier way out.

Well if it's not important that it be a "perfect" job, I still think you are best to seek out someone who repairs gear like I mentioned before. The lady in Spokane was ultra cheap and I would always give her more than she asked to do a job because she short-changed herself. All the HD guys and gals have a go to person for repair and sewing patches on their freaking vests...

[2thdr]

For future reference, my wife and I are short people too and we have found some good fitting gear from Rev It since much of their gear comes in S,M,L lengths, and I recently found a pair of textile pants from AGV sport that I was able to order in a "short" length. You just have to spend some time pouring over the online sites like we have. If you are not the shopper type, let her do it!

Look at these and the first review for instance:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/68/924/35722/ITEM/Scorpion-Womens-Empire-Pants.aspx

[YoshiHNS]

When I was shopping, I did some looking around and mostly found that all pants are pretty much the same length no matter what the waist size is, 31-32".

After searching for a chart, looks like Rev'It does have a pair of pants that would fit her in short. Too bad they didn't bother listing it on their site or I might have found it the first time around. Oh well.

Also, not to rain on your parade, but I rarely ever wear the overpants. I can usually get by with jeans wherever I'm going so I just wear Kevlar lined jeans.

I don't think I would buy the overpants again.

I have a pair of Icon 'kevlar lined' jeans. Did it for a while. Not sure when I'll wear them again. There's no way they are going to provide any protection at all. Good enough for the bike meet around the corner maybe. Overpants take an extra minute to get on (depending on how well the zippers co-operate), but I know they'll actually protect me.

That, and this is for my SO, so I'd rather buy good equipment and put my mind at ease.

[wera803]

That, and this is for my SO, so I'd rather buy good equipment and put my mind at ease.

:+1: I ride a lot more than my GF, but she has just as much gear as I do.....actually, I think she has more. I don't want any excuses from her on why she wasn't wearing protective gear while riding and I don't want anything to happen to her.