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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: SmithSwede on February 05, 2016, 07:52:55 PM

Title: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: SmithSwede on February 05, 2016, 07:52:55 PM
Ok, well.  If you can't laugh at yourself, you shouldn't laugh at anyone else.

Today I had a catastrophic failure of my one piece Aerostich Roadcrafter.   I put it on to meet some "suit and tie" friends at a swanko Dallas restaurant.   I leave early on the Guzzi, thinking I could get there before them, lock the 'Stich to the bike, and be inside the restaurant looking civilized before anyone was the wiser about my biker ways.

Fail!  Instead I'm fighting a stuck zipper, and can't get out of my suit, when my friends show up and see me in the parking lot. 

They help me, finally got it unstuck.   So I figure no big deal.  Just a fluke.  Have a nice lunch.

Suit up again, head back to the office, park . . . only to discover it's stuck even worse.  I had visions of going up to office wearing a nasty, oily, bug splattered Aerostich and asking a secretary to cut me out of the damn thing. But I finally got out of it. 

Needless to say, I'm now shopping for a two piece outfit.   I'm snake bit on this one piece stuff where zipper failure leaves you stuck like a strait jacket.

Still love Aerostich.   

Ok, so.  Darien or Roadcrafter in 2 piece?  Other suggestions for first rate, waterproof gear?

Anyone else ever have a near catastrophic failure of motorcycle gear, other than crash related?
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: oldbike54 on February 05, 2016, 08:00:42 PM
 Yeah , my Tourmaster jacket zipper stuck so bad I had to "molt" it off . Prescott , try some olive oil on the zipper , and if that fails , I think Aerostich will replace the zipper .

 Dusty
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: JoeW on February 05, 2016, 08:03:03 PM
I'm no one to criticize anyone rationalizing why they need new gear, I bought 2 helmets last season! But, you could just get the zipper replaced.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Demar on February 05, 2016, 08:03:14 PM
In 1976 at my High School Winter Formal I had a wardrobe malfunction. I had bought a new pair of slacks and a jacket. On the way out to the car after dinner I felt a draft in my crotch. I looked down and the zipper was open but the zipper was at the top????? Turns out every time I sat down the teeth would separate. I was constantly saying excuse me, turning around and performing a quick zip down zip up.  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: jrt on February 05, 2016, 08:05:43 PM
I have a two piece road crafter.  I like it fine, but it is more fiddling with zippers since there are two leg zippers, one jacket zipper and you need to check the 'pants to jacket' zipper before you put it on.
Considering that you had one zipper and it failed...wouldn't it be more likely that 4 zippers would give an increased likelihood of failure?

Also, Aerostich will repair zippers.

Also, also, I kind of like being able to wear just the jacket and that is really convenient.  I realize the inconsistencies in these statements, but that's what the meds are for.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Kev m on February 05, 2016, 08:07:10 PM
I've had a Darien for a decade and a half.

Though a few years ago I sent the jacket back to have them replace the zippers cause the pulls were breaking.

Never got them stuck...
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Guzzistajohn on February 05, 2016, 08:11:54 PM
Dude, you were my inspiration for taking the 'stitch plunge. Enough with the negative vibes man :angry:
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: SmithSwede on February 05, 2016, 08:57:23 PM
Sorry Guzzistajohn. :embarrassed: Rest assured I love the Stich.   Will send it to them for zipper replacement.  I've worn it about every day for 2 years and never babied it. 

Just never anticipated this failure mode.  If zipper gets stuck in upper third of torso on a one piece suit, how do you escape??   Especially if, like me, you have bulbosity challenges?
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: fubar guzzi on February 05, 2016, 09:22:19 PM
Way back in the mid sixties I was a grounds keeper at a local golf coarse.Part time I tutored ladies to help them with there game.On this one beautiful fall dayI was helping this young thing with her power stroke swing.Standing behind her(very close)I realized my zipper had been caught in her mohair sweater,not knowing what to do now I simply confessed to her that I really was not a pro golfer but instead just a maintance tech.Surprisingly she understood I need to work also.I explained I had a maintance shop on the other side of the green if we could two step all the way there I could find a pair pliers or whatever and  seperate us.NOW,picture this Im behind her stuck together arms around her waist (tightly) trying to walk,or hobble or any possibleway we could try to go around the green hopefully undetected so as to straighten out this horrible mess I got us into.We got all the way to the maintance shop without insadent,with just one more corner to go around,with keys in hand we jumped out from the building when---------THE BIGGEST DOG ID EVER SEEN THROWS A PAIL OF WATER ON US!!!!!  :popcorn:
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: oldbike54 on February 05, 2016, 09:26:20 PM
 WOOF WOOF WOOF  :laugh:

 Dusty
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Guzzistajohn on February 06, 2016, 07:40:20 AM
Way back in the mid sixties I was a grounds keeper at a local golf coarse.Part time I tutored ladies to help them with there game.On this one beautiful fall dayI was helping this young thing with her power stroke swing.Standing behind her(very close)I realized my zipper had been caught in her mohair sweater,not knowing what to do now I simply confessed to her that I really was not a pro golfer but instead just a maintance tech.Surprisingly she understood I need to work also.I explained I had a maintance shop on the other side of the green if we could two step all the way there I could find a pair pliers or whatever and  seperate us.NOW,picture this Im behind her stuck together arms around her waist (tightly) trying to walk,or hobble or any possibleway we could try to go around the green hopefully undetected so as to straighten out this horrible mess I got us into.We got all the way to the maintance shop without insadent,with just one more corner to go around,with keys in hand we jumped out from the building when---------THE BIGGEST DOG ID EVER SEEN THROWS A PAIL OF WATER ON US!!!!!  :popcorn:


Good stuff Tom. Thanks for the laugh! Sounds like a story by Carl in Caddyshack, just need to include the Dhali Lama
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Scud on February 06, 2016, 07:50:37 AM
Ha ha - a SHAGgy dog joke.  :boozing:

On the zipper - unless there is mechanical damage, I'd try some WD-40 to clean it in case there is some corrosion built up in the teeth. Then use olive oil (or silicone spray, or whatever you prefer) as a lubricant.

As for getting out of a stuck one-peice... carry some tire irons.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Zoom Zoom on February 06, 2016, 09:19:27 AM
Way back in the mid sixties I was a grounds keeper at a local golf coarse.Part time I tutored ladies to help them with there game.On this one beautiful fall dayI was helping this young thing with her power stroke swing.Standing behind her(very close)I realized my zipper had been caught in her mohair sweater,not knowing what to do now I simply confessed to her that I really was not a pro golfer but instead just a maintance tech.Surprisingly she understood I need to work also.I explained I had a maintance shop on the other side of the green if we could two step all the way there I could find a pair pliers or whatever and  seperate us.NOW,picture this Im behind her stuck together arms around her waist (tightly) trying to walk,or hobble or any possibleway we could try to go around the green hopefully undetected so as to straighten out this horrible mess I got us into.We got all the way to the maintance shop without insadent,with just one more corner to go around,with keys in hand we jumped out from the building when---------THE BIGGEST DOG ID EVER SEEN THROWS A PAIL OF WATER ON US!!!!!  :popcorn:

Tom, that is hilarious! Having met you and enjoyed your company, makes it even more so! I have this picture in my mind............... ..

Cheers,
John Henry
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: dl.allen on February 06, 2016, 10:09:46 AM
Both my leather jackets blew the zippers out.  My local shop installed brass YKK genuine zippers in them for about 30 buck each.  Best thing I ever did.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: blackcat on February 06, 2016, 10:43:40 AM
Having purchased a new pair of Sidi boots I couldn't get the zipper down on one of the boots. Hmmmmm....need some lubricant, and given my location there was no such thing except for some virgin olive oil, so I gave it a try and it worked.

The oil was Italian so that may have had an influence on the zipper.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: John Ulrich on February 06, 2016, 12:17:00 PM
Waiting for my roadcrafter D2 1 piece to be made (3 month leadtime).  I'll need to put a vile of corn oil in the pocket for emergency use!
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Guzzistajohn on February 06, 2016, 12:26:00 PM
Waiting for my roadcrafter D2 1 piece to be made (3 month leadtime).  I'll need to put a vile of corn oil in the pocket for emergency use!

Or use the sex wax from your surfboard John!
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: K250 on February 06, 2016, 04:48:52 PM
Rode up to Duluth and bought a Darien in 1999 I think it was.  Was not easy to afford, but worth it in the long run.

Am about ready to buy a new one, maybe next year.

Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: giusto on February 06, 2016, 06:30:32 PM
WOOF WOOF WOOF  :laugh:

 Dusty


I just ridem' man, I don't fixem....odd ball again
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: sturgeon on February 07, 2016, 09:29:38 AM
...
Needless to say, I'm now shopping for a two piece outfit.   I'm snake bit on this one piece stuff where zipper failure leaves you stuck like a strait jacket.

Ha! Don't assume a 2-piece will be any better. I once got stuck inside a very expensive BMW jacket when the zipper separated just below the top. Luckily I was nearing the end of 3-week road trip and only 6 or 7 hours from home. I had visions of the fire department using the Jaws of Life to cut me out of the thing, but when I got home, my wife managed to get the zipper down an inch or so and pull it over my head, nearly dislocating one of my shoulders in the process. That thing is very inflexible! (Jacket, not wife) Took the jacket back, got a no-questions replacement and still have it to this day. Needless to say, I now take better care of the zippers  :grin:
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: LowRyter on February 07, 2016, 10:55:06 AM
Ok, well.  If you can't laugh at yourself, you shouldn't laugh at anyone else.

Today I had a catastrophic failure of my one piece Aerostich Roadcrafter.   I put it on to meet some "suit and tie" friends at a swanko Dallas restaurant.   I leave early on the Guzzi, thinking I could get there before them, lock the 'Stich to the bike, and be inside the restaurant looking civilized before anyone was the wiser about my biker ways.

Fail!  Instead I'm fighting a stuck zipper, and can't get out of my suit, when my friends show up and see me in the parking lot. 

They help me, finally got it unstuck.   So I figure no big deal.  Just a fluke.  Have a nice lunch.

Suit up again, head back to the office, park . . . only to discover it's stuck even worse.  I had visions of going up to office wearing a nasty, oily, bug splattered Aerostich and asking a secretary to cut me out of the damn thing. But I finally got out of it. 

Needless to say, I'm now shopping for a two piece outfit.   I'm snake bit on this one piece stuff where zipper failure leaves you stuck like a strait jacket.

Still love Aerostich.   

Ok, so.  Darien or Roadcrafter in 2 piece?  Other suggestions for first rate, waterproof gear?

Anyone else ever have a near catastrophic failure of motorcycle gear, other than crash related?

if you still like the suit, replace the zipper
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: kingoffleece on February 07, 2016, 11:25:14 AM
Go to a dive shop and use dry suit zipper lube.  Packaged like lip balm.  It'll last a lifetime and won't compromise your zipper or surrounding materials at all.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: sturgeon on February 07, 2016, 11:28:57 AM
Go to a dive shop and use dry suit zipper lube.  Packaged like lip balm.  It'll last a lifetime and won't compromise your zipper or surrounding materials at all.

Or if you're a frugal MG owner, paraffin wax  :evil:
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: normzone on February 07, 2016, 11:58:33 AM
Go to a dive shop and use dry suit zipper lube.  Packaged like lip balm.  It'll last a lifetime and won't compromise your zipper or surrounding materials at all.

Back in my scuba lesson days, my instructor had the tongue break off his zipper and we couldn't get him out of it, tried pliers and all.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Tom H on February 07, 2016, 12:21:35 PM
I learned something about stuck zippers the other week. If the pull tab breaks off and you can't get the zipper down, try a paperclip, wire or the like in the slot where the pull tab was. Some zippers have a lock that need to be moved by the tab before it will move.

Hope this helps someone stuck!
Tom
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: kingoffleece on February 07, 2016, 04:02:47 PM
A thick zip tie works too.
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: azguzzirep on February 08, 2016, 04:19:59 AM
I have touring boots with zippers on the back. I hate zippers on the back. Never buy boots with zippers on the back.
Tom
Title: Re: Wardrobe Malfunction !
Post by: Arizona Wayne on February 08, 2016, 01:16:03 PM
I learned something about stuck zippers the other week. If the pull tab breaks off and you can't get the zipper down, try a paperclip, wire or the like in the slot where the pull tab was. Some zippers have a lock that need to be moved by the tab before it will move.


Yep, I believe in having some paperclips and zip ties of varies sizes handy now.  You never know when you might need them.  :wink: