Over the past 100 years Lewis Leathers has used a variety of zip fasteners but the ones that truly became an iconic component in our garments were produced by the Lightning and Clix companies.
The zips we use today are made exclusively for Lewis Leathers and are identical in every detail to their predecessors, each zip component has been fully researched from vintage items and recreated to the highest standard in order to fully compliment our products.
Sliders, pullers, teeth and retainer boxes are tooled from the same materials as the originals, (Copper teeth and slider cover, puller, slider and retainer box from zinc alloy). Our zip tape is a cotton-feel polyester which has an advantage over the cotton tape of vintage zips which tended to rot and tear with time and thus compromised the life of the zip. Although vintage in appearance our zippers are made to the highest modern standard.
TAPE COLOURS:
Traditionally our zipper tapes were black, however, the cotton zipper tape on the main zips and cuffs tended to fade to a shade of beige when repeatedly exposed to sun and rain while motorcycling, producing a rather nice effect.
Today we offer a choice of traditional Black or Beige for main and cuff zippers, enabling you to customise your jacket.
LIGHTNING ZIP.
Britain's first zipper was initially known as the Ready Fastener when first introduced in 1918 by Kynoch Works of Birmingham. The Lightning name was first used for the fastener in March 1920 and became the mark of quality for Britain's premier zipper brand until the company's demise in December of 1980.
Length (cm): measuring the distance between the metal parts at the top and bottom of the zip.
No.10 LIGHTNING Main Zip
Early - Mid 60's No.10 Lightning MAIN Zip
● Available Length: 51 - 57 cm | Tape colour: Black or Beige
No.5 Lightning Cuff Zip
LIGHTNING late 50's - early 60's Cuff Zip
● Available Length: 12 - 14 cm | Tape colour: Black or Beige
No.5 L Puller Cuff Zip
Late 60's - Early 70's L Puller Cuff Zip
● Available Length: 12 - 14 cm | Tape colour: Black or Beige
No. 5 Ball Chain Zip
Pocket Zipper No. 5 Ball Chain
● Available Length: 9, 12 - 14 cm | Tape colour: Black or Beige (No.5 zip Beige colour option is only for lengths 9 cm.)