My Old Leathers Shrank!

[ozarquebus]

I pulled my old heavy leather riding suit out after hanging in the closet for a decade or so. 
Its the kind that is two piece, but zips together all the way around at the waist to make tight fitting 'sport' coveralls.
It is in great condition except for a couple of pavement burns, but seems to have shrunk around the middle even more than I have expanded.

 Has anyone successfully stretched a full suit like this?

I could soak it in water and dry it out on a long hot ride, but that would not be too good for it...or me, so

[Bobic69]

Just squeeze in. And post a photo.

[Cam3512]

Why not shrink what making the leathers tight?

[larrys]

Yup, I recently tried putting on a leather jacket that I wore thirty years ago. Boy, had it shrunk! Well, maybe because I weigh thirty pounds more than I did back then...
Larry

[LowRyter]

if you can get it on, then wear it and let it stretch back.

[Lannis]

It is in great condition except for a couple of pavement burns, but seems to have shrunk around the middle even more than I have expanded.

 Has anyone successfully stretched a full suit like this?

"Even more than I have expanded" ....

I feel your pain.   I know EXACTLY what you mean.

But you are deluding yourself, 100%.   Your old body has expanded MORE than your still-young mind is willing to accept.   Leather does not shrink hanging in the closet.   It is the most truthful, painfully truthful, brutally truthful material in the world.

As Cam says, nothing in the world but your mind and determination keeping you from working on the real issue!

Lannis

[redrider90]

I pulled my old heavy leather riding suit out after hanging in the closet for a decade or so. 
Its the kind that is two piece, but zips together all the way around at the waist to make tight fitting 'sport' coveralls.
It is in great condition except for a couple of pavement burns, but seems to have shrunk around the middle even more than I have expanded.

 Has anyone successfully stretched a full suit like this?

I could soak it in water and dry it out on a long hot ride, but that would not be too good for it...or me, so

If it is only in your waist then get it soaked in water put them on and wear it. Common practice amongst soccer players is to fit their shoes as tight as possible and then get them wet and wear until dry.

[ozarquebus]

I can still get in, thanks to the heavy duty left handed zippers, but they were slightly loose (XXL) back then even though my weight was about the same at 210. Muscle has traded places with chicken fat.
I was hoping on more support that the leathers had indeed shrank (shrunk?).
 If it wasn't for the smell, I would soak them in Neatsfoot oil and wear them.
 On the bright side, if I wore them 24/7 for a few days, I would not be able to eat as much.
 These things were $375 in 1988 on sale at BMW Motorrad on Forest street in St louis, MO, so they must not go to waste (waist?)
 As far as a picture of me in them, Bobic69, just imagine a blue, pregnant, polish sausage topped by a cue ball and you will get the idea.
 European footballers did that shoe trick back in the day when Adidas were the only shoe, right?

[not-fishing]

These things were $375 in 1988 on sale at BMW Motorrad on Forest street in St louis, MO, so they must not go to waste (waist?)

There's your problem. 

You should have bought Guzzi Leathers.                     

[TN Mark]

Just squeeze in. And post a photo.

No, please, no photo.

:)

[beetle]

William Shatner had the solution.

[Lannis]

William Shatner had the solution.

Those things will only cinch so tight, and then it chokes you out .... !

[beetle]

Those things will only cinch so tight, and then it chokes you out .... !

 

Tee hee!  Speaking from experience? 

[lucian]

Welcome to the club,  furniture disease can be hard to come to terms with.  Fortunately  someone came up with stretch pants.

[Lannis]

 

Tee hee!  Speaking from experience?

Uhhh .... someone told me about it, yeah, that's the ticket .... some other dude done it.

Lannis

[Ncdan]

Speaking of leathers, my wife out grew, nicest way I know to say it, a pair or high quality leather pants that I would make someone a great deal on. The size is European numbers but they will fit a tall lady, or short lady if cut off, weighing in between 300 and 350.... just kidding, around 130-140lb.  They are heavy but supple leather, lined for easy off and on application, belt loop with button and two hook and latch waist fasteners. PM me if interested.
But wait! PM by midnight and I’ll throw in a heavy duty hanger for easy storage 😂😂😂😂

[organfixsing]

Try using 'Neatsfoot Oil' on them. A couple ofapplications would probably be required. The oil will make the leather much more supple and able to stretch without cracking.

Cheers
Brian

[Matteo]

Try using 'Neatsfoot Oil' on them. A couple ofapplications would probably be required. The oil will make the leather much more supple and able to stretch without cracking.

Cheers
Brian

  alterations are an option too.
I bought one of those vintage look brown Guzzi jackets that was made of a thin distressed leather and gave it a few coats of Neatsfoot oil, made it much more pliable and gave it some body.

[Tom]

1)  Lose weight and fit your leathers plus gain some speed adjustment to your bike.  OR
2). There is a company that sells width extension zipper expanders.  You just have to buy the right length for your jacket and correct corresponding               zipper.  Zip it in and increase your width size by a couple of inches.    aka zipper expander panel.

[ozarquebus]

Zipper Expanders are the best suggestion yet! I will get those for everything I own. Problem solved.

[geoff in almonte]

Or you could send for the Royal Armour Stretcher...…

G

[ozarquebus]

yes, geoff,
 Ye Olde Royal Armour Stretcher would go well with my Magic Sword +1 and the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.

[Mr.Rodgers]

The zipper expander idea might work for the jacket but it might be a little harder for the waistband… As for most of us would put in too big of a zipper expander in the crotch of the pants thinking that were bigger than what we actually are

[Muzz]

I was hoping on more support that the leathers had indeed shrank (shrunk?).

 

You're in with a tough crowd here.

[Lannis]

You're in with a tough crowd here.

Not just tough, but most of us have "Been There, Done That, Got the Leathers That 'Shrank'" too!   

I have a "Schott" leather vest that my Mom bought me when I was 22, and it fit then.    Before I die, I'm determined that I'm going to get back into that thing.    I would have said that losing 50 pounds would do it, but it hasn't.   I've got another 40 to go, at least ... Leathers will tell the truth when your wife and friends are lying to you like big dogs ....

Lannis

[dguzzi]

If you are collecting them, I have a Brooks that also shrank....