So, I just bought an older model of the First Gear Pilot leather pants on eBay.  And I'm "borrowing" my buddy's First Gear S Pilot jacket.  Sizes are 34 and 42.  No, not 34 chest and 42 waist, but that would look funny!
er, sorry if I offended anyone.

Anywho, the jacket has a full 29" zipper and a 10" zipper.  The pants have only one single 16-17" zipper that matches neither of the jacket zippers.

What's up, both items have the "ZIPS" logo (Zipper Integrated Performance System).  Isn't this supposed to be standardized?  I'll call First Gear on Monday (closed at 3pm Friday), but I ain't dumb, they obviously don't match up.

Does First Gear do alterations?

Anyone have any suggestions or insight or history on the zipper matching specs?

Does anyone recommend alterations to the pants and do you know someone to do it, preferably in the Los Angeles area?

When I buy a new First Gear jacket, it'll have the same 10" and full 29" zipper, so I'd rather alter the pants, but looking at them I don't know if it's an easy job, that jacket looks much, much easier to alter.

That's my dilemma for the day, thanks for letting me share, and thanks for any advice.

I sent some feedback to Firstgear about this very thing.  I never heard from them.  And they seemed like such a caring company too. :dunno:

Matt

Quote from: hairball, but I ain't dumb, they obviously don't match up.

sorry just made me snicker, got me in trouble at work, lol.

Anyways, I would say contact firstgear to find out whats up, possibly the older style pants dont match new style jacket?

I agree. they probably switched the zipper one year. You should be able to get a replacement zipper from them and have any alteration place (dry cleaners, etc) install the zipper. When I bought my Alpinestars stuff they always come with both sides of the zipper so you can sew them into any pants you happen to have.

I wondered why my Teknic jacket came with the other end of the zipper, i thought someone messed up. lol.

Yeah, thanks Pablo.  Of course, the zippers on the jacket both have the matching piece.  At least I already have that part.

Anyway, does anyone zip their pants and jacket together unless they're on the track?  I guess it seems a bit safer to keep the jacket, and its back protector perfectly in place if its zipped to the pants.

I'm just happy the pants fit having gotten them off eBay.  I tried the new Pilot style pants in a 36, too big, so I guessed right.  Hallelujah!!

Got 'em in mint condition for $100 too, totally stoked on that, yes!  

Also, I tried taking the CE knee armor (not the temper foam) out of the pants, and they still have padding on the knee, and really thick leather.  It bends a little nicer without the pads.  What are people's opinion on using the CE approved knee armor, or switching to the foam armor for a little more comfort?

And does anyone have a review or opinion on the Hiprotech armor?  Check 'em out here:
http://www.newenough.com/armor_firstgear_hiprotech_armor.htm

Thanks.

whenever I wear the pants and jacket together I zip them together, whether I'm at the track, in the canyons or commuting. Although I dont always wear the pants, if I do I might as well zip them up, no?

Quote from: hairball

And does anyone have a review or opinion on the Hiprotech armor?  Check 'em out here:
http://www.newenough.com/armor_firstgear_hiprotech_armor.htm

Thanks.

I have the Hiprotech... great if you are looking for thin very flexible stuff. Almost like not having armor, Not sure how they will hold up in a crash... If you don't like the foam stuff and would rather go with out, use the Hipro stuff instead of nothing.

My Firstgear leather jacket does'nt have a zipper... They don't make the "good stuff" in 3x  (actually it exists but very pricey...)

Quote from: DanielyI wondered why my Teknic jacket came with the other end of the zipper, i thought someone messed up. lol.

My Teknic Venom jacket and pants were reversed like that (I ended up returning the pants - they don't work with my boots).