Who was the first to wear coloured motorcycle leathers?
#1
Posted 01 June 2009 - 01:30
Ever since the "Black Friday" Classic race at the Isle of Man TT Races, I have wondered who was the first person to wear anything other than black motorcycle leathers. I am sure that somewhere I heard that Rod Scivyer was the first to wear some form of coloured leathers. Can anyone confirm this, or provide the answer as to who was the first?
Many thanks,
Dobbin
Advertisement
#2
Posted 01 June 2009 - 04:34
#4
Posted 01 June 2009 - 08:27
Hello,
Ever since the "Black Friday" Classic race at the Isle of Man TT Races, I have wondered who was the first person to wear anything other than black motorcycle leathers. I am sure that somewhere I heard that Rod Scivyer was the first to wear some form of coloured leathers. Can anyone confirm this, or provide the answer as to who was the first?
Many thanks,
Dobbin
Welcome to the forum Dobbin I think Rod was the first in the uk, he'll probably answer it himself , but as it been said Ray Pickerall was an early contender I think along with John Cooper
#5
Posted 01 June 2009 - 09:43
caused quite a stir.
but i could be wrong
#6
Posted 01 June 2009 - 10:07
i think it was derek minter !i remember he turned up in some GREEN leathers at an early meeting at brands.
caused quite a stir.
but i could be wrong
Ago would be a starter too, he had a red upper on his leathers quite early on. But probably the riders in the USA, they got into the colours and designs in the early sixties.
#7
Posted 01 June 2009 - 10:59
I can recall Ron Grant on the TR500 Suzuki at Wigam (NZ) circa 1970 with WHITE leathers...wow!!Ago would be a starter too, he had a red upper on his leathers quite early on. But probably the riders in the USA, they got into the colours and designs in the early sixties.
#8
Posted 01 June 2009 - 11:15
Various shades of grey, green, blue and brown coloured racing leathers were in use.
#9
Posted 01 June 2009 - 12:37
Kent Andersson is the first one I remember... and a very rare shot as far as the last rider in the pic is concerned
Edited by Rennmax, 01 June 2009 - 12:42.
#10
Posted 01 June 2009 - 13:00
#11
Posted 01 June 2009 - 13:03
Presumably Dieter Braun and Kel Carruthers in front....is that Gilberto Parlotti on a Benelli ?
Yes, he got a ride in order to support Carruthers in his bid for the worldchampionship
#12
Posted 01 June 2009 - 13:16
Ago would be a starter too, he had a red upper on his leathers quite early on. But probably the riders in the USA, they got into the colours and designs in the early sixties.
I believe the AMA banned black leathers in the 60s. Didn't Geoff Duke wear red leathers in the late 50s?
Edited by Mats Karlsson, 01 June 2009 - 13:18.
#13
Posted 01 June 2009 - 18:14
I believe the AMA banned black leathers in the 60s.
Hi Mats,
I,ve never heard that before. Do you have any idea what the reason was?
Don
#14
Posted 01 June 2009 - 19:16
#16
Posted 01 June 2009 - 21:33
Well Derek Minter certainly did wear dark green leathers as far as I can remember, but the first rider I saw with multi-coloured leathers was the American rider Lance Weil. He also had a Californian accent, long hair, and brought over a stunning Harley-Davidson. Quite a surprise all round.
Ahhhh yes Lance Weil . Very good at Lydden Hill , saw Bill Ivy on the Yam 125 / 4 lap him during practice for I think , the '67 'Hutch' while he was on that H/D.........................
#18
Posted 01 June 2009 - 23:01
Dennis, I did and it does ( thought exactly the same as you mate !if you look quickly it looks like kent has short sleeved leathers on!
#19
Posted 01 June 2009 - 23:51
Edited by Russell Burrows, 02 June 2009 - 08:12.
Advertisement
#20
Posted 01 June 2009 - 23:54
Ago would be a starter too, he had a red upper on his leathers quite early on. But probably the riders in the USA, they got into the colours and designs in the early sixties.
I think it was all black for Ago until that red topped pair in '71 ?
Edited by Russell Burrows, 01 June 2009 - 23:55.
#21
Posted 02 June 2009 - 00:36
I believe the AMA banned black leathers in the 60s. Didn't Geoff Duke wear red leathers in the late 50s?
I have been led to believe that the AMA banned black leathers because it was hard to see a rider laying on the track. I never quite bought that. I think it was more to "improve" the motorcyclist image. I do know they had a fit when Romero showed up with the skeleton leathers!
#22
Posted 02 June 2009 - 01:00
Yeah But I thought it was hilarious But thought at the time he should finish the look off wth a simpson helmet , painted as a skullI do know they had a fit when Romero showed up with the skeleton leathers!
#23
Posted 02 June 2009 - 08:16
I do know they had a fit when Romero showed up with the skeleton leathers!
Actually it was Dave Aldana with those leathers
#24
Posted 02 June 2009 - 21:36
#25
Posted 02 June 2009 - 21:51
#26
Posted 03 June 2009 - 08:08
in the UK
White with red stripes followed the following year. This pic is dated a couple of years later.
By the end of 1966 several riders had adopted the stripe theme in various colours and one or two had coloured leathers,
mainly dark colours, which is why I went for white
#27
Posted 03 June 2009 - 09:05
#28
Posted 03 June 2009 - 09:21
You sure thats you in the second pic Rod, and not George Roper (of George and Mildred Fame)?
#29
Posted 03 June 2009 - 10:23
White with red stripes followed the following year. This pic is dated a couple of years later.
The 'eyes' have it.
Nice pics Rod
#30
Posted 03 June 2009 - 10:38
You sure thats you in the second pic Rod, and not George Roper (of George and Mildred Fame)?
Well spotted Nige , Bet Rod did the bike riding for him in the series --without being ' made up '
#31
Posted 03 June 2009 - 11:44
#32
Posted 03 June 2009 - 14:43
Does this ring a bell with anyone else?
#33
Posted 03 June 2009 - 16:19
If I remember correctly, Griff Jenkins turned out with green leathers sometime in the late-sixties.
Does this ring a bell with anyone else?
Yep , i'll vouch for that
#34
Posted 20 August 2009 - 15:24
#35
Posted 20 August 2009 - 21:21
Does anyone remember the gold leathers I think John Cooper and Phil Read wore? I don't think even the americans went that far!According to "TT Races Diamond Jubilee 1907-1967" it was an American stunt man and speedway rider Putt Mossman with a set of white leathers in the 1938 lightweight event.
#36
Posted 20 August 2009 - 21:35
Does anyone remember the gold leathers I think John Cooper and Phil Read wore? I don't think even the americans went that far!
Lost a bit of there Goldness, but these give us some idea...Welcome Chedder.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#37
Posted 20 August 2009 - 21:36
Edited by Russell Burrows, 20 August 2009 - 21:37.
#38
Posted 20 August 2009 - 21:36
Does anyone remember the gold leathers I think John Cooper and Phil Read wore? I don't think even the americans went that far!
Welcome to both our new members Yes , I do remember the gold , I expect Mr Fu will insert a couple of piccies
Oh !! the silly old bugger has
Edited by fil2.8, 20 August 2009 - 21:38.
#39
Posted 20 August 2009 - 21:39
Welcome to both our new members Yes , I do remember the gold , I expect Mr Fu will insert a couple of piccies
I might...........oh I have!!
Advertisement
#40
Posted 20 August 2009 - 21:41
I might...........oh I have!!
How about the edit , smart arse
#41
Posted 21 August 2009 - 12:46
I might...........oh I have!!
I remember Christian Bourgeois wearing cool looking silver leathers in the early 70's
http://www.bonhuil.c...AGNYFINDLAY.jpg
http://www.bonhuil.c...IS74DAYTONA.jpg
#42
Posted 21 August 2009 - 18:14
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the welcome(s), I think the best colour scheme was and still is the Yamaha America Team from the Kenny Roberts era, they still look cool today, my brother has a replica suit (not sure if he can still get into it though. Perhaps like mine they've shrunk since being in the loft as I believe all leathers do!)
#43
Posted 21 August 2009 - 18:55
#44
Posted 22 August 2009 - 09:11
#45
Posted 23 August 2009 - 22:43
My first non all black leathers in 1966 which at the time seemed to be accepted as the first such
in the UK
White with red stripes followed the following year. This pic is dated a couple of years later.
By the end of 1966 several riders had adopted the stripe theme in various colours and one or two had coloured leathers,
mainly dark colours, which is why I went for white
Hi Rod
and what year did you wear that fluorescent red helmet .... i seem to recall... god you could always pick you out round gerards anyway lol...you might remember me too ...i bought your TR3 back in the day...have a guess
#46
Posted 24 August 2009 - 15:58
Hi Rod
and what year did you wear that fluorescent red helmet .... i seem to recall... god you could always pick you out round gerards anyway lol...you might remember me too ...i bought your TR3 back in the day...have a guess
I've been trying to work out when the fluorescent helmet came about, and as far as I can recollect it would have been sometime during
1965. I then used it for some time after that into the early seventies. With regards to the TR3, with a memory like mine ,no chance
Give us a clue?
#47
Posted 24 August 2009 - 20:48
Wearing white leathers!!
#50
Posted 22 October 2009 - 09:41
the name Sonny Angel springs to mind
Not the easiest person to Google for!