I bought a suit and it's a tad too small. Primary issues are in the baby making area and shoulders. Both are too tight. Is there a way to stretch it out? I've called the leather service and to let it out would cost too much.
You don't... You need it altered.... Don't try to stretch it it will only weaken the leather and seams...send it to Barnical Bill or STT Leather repair..
actually all you need is a kevlar crotch panel added . that will give the nads more room and take the pressure off your shoulders. we do these alterations all the time. 100.00 should do the alteration and ship it back to you . pre-pay with Mr. Franklin in the pocket with your return address and phone number and it will turn around here in a couple of days. thanks, bill and darethea barnacle bill's 1106 logan road springfield, ky 40069 859 336 7375
you know I don't think I do . I just shipped two out on monday though. next time I do one I'll try and remember to take a picture. depending on the brand suit . we open up the inseam from the crotch down to the knee expander and install a keprotec panel that is about 3 inches wide at the crotch and tapers to nothing down at the knee . hardly noticeable and looks factory. suits that don't have a crotch seam will have one when we install this panel. send yours in if you want we'll work you in or not it's your call. thanks, bill and darethea
you may already know this, but just in case, a good fitting suite does not allow you to stand "straight up" most are made to fit correctly in the riding position. Just wondering are you saying it fits fine when you are on the bike in your normal riding position, but when you get off the bike and walk around then you have issues? If so then most likely the suite is fitted correctly. no harm in putting in the above mentioned relief item, but in fact the suite is actually working as designed. Now if it is too tight in those areas on the bike in your normal riding position, then yes ALTER do not stretch.
I had Barnacle Bill alter my suit last year and he did a fantastic job. I will continue to send all of my leather needs to him in the future. You won't be disappointed.
could be a number of factors . if the suit is loose and the crotch is too low that will prevent you getting a knee out. same thing if the knee armor is too high on your knee . it's hard to diagnose your problem from that one sentence . be glad to work with you on your problem but I'll need more info. give me a call during shop hours. 9-5 monday through friday .859 336 7375 thanks, bill and darethea
I can't believe how many people end up buying suits that don't fit. It comes up over and over. Hell, I recall 2 guys at the track complaining of severe calf pain and numb feet on new suits after 10 minutes of riding. That's bordering on compartment syndrome! My buddy went to a major retailer and they tried to sell him a suit where he couldn't even zip up the calves. Yea, that's safe. I get it. Loose material is likely to snag and cause injuries, but the whole "everybody needs a youth medium" mentality needs to stop.
well you want a suit snug enough that the armor won't roll off the elbows or knees but you want it loose enough that the blood still flows to the fingers and toes. you can ride in a suit that's a little loose but you can't ride in a tourniquet . a lot of guys bust their butt when their arms pump and their fingers go numb and they can't feel the brake lever .You see most of your crashes on the brakes, seldom do you see someone crash on the gas. bill and darethea
Hi OBcbr, I do recall our conversation. I was under the impression your problem in the shoulder area was a width problem, not a pulling down problem. I apologize if I did not understand fully what your fitment problems were. The baby making area is something that is fairly common. As with my explanation "suits are designed for riding position" and release in that area can be realized with addition of an insert if too tight while in riding position but will not increase the shoulder width. I do have pictures of the "baby making" area alteration on my Facebook page. I do not get notification when my name shows up on the forums so I will see what can be done about that. I always try to do what is best for my customers and potential customers when they call. I am not here just to take your money and hope it works out for you. Many times I will suggest buying a suit that fits or having one made over doing a very expensive alteration. At least finding a suit that fits the torso so alterations from there will be less costly. I would have replied sooner but I didn't know this thread was here until now. Let me know how your alteration turned out if you had it done and if your problem was solved. With Kind Regards, Dan Sportbike Leather Service (734)660-5578
I don't know if it's this thread or too many spoon sales but I have really been stretching a lot of leathers lately . if your leathers need stretching give me a holler for instructions on how to measure for the alterations and a quote over the phone. Here's hoping everyone has a great 4th of July! Bill and Darethea
I should have gave a phone number 859 336 7375 barnacle bill's 1106 logan road springfield, ky 40069 ps . how do you post a picture on this format?