International rescue
For those involved in our hobby, restoration doesn't have to just be restricted to the motorcycles.
any years ago, I was tasked with asking the Barbour clothing concern for a couple of their International jackets to be worn by the editorial staff when doing riding features in The Classic Motorcycle magazine. Slightly cheekily, I asked if I might be able to have one too, as although I wasn't on the editorial team, I was occasionally drafted in to ride for a feature.
They agreed, we gave them some rough measurements in order for them to ascertain which sizes would fit best and in due time a box arrived. I clearly remember my disappointment when I found that it contained not three, but two of the prized Internationals, one each for the editorial staff, but nothing for me.
Somebody then spotted that the packing note had a letter attached. The gist was that having been given my rough measurements, in order to get the very best fit, they felt that a full made-to- measure jacket would be better than them supplying from stock. Please could I take the following measurements and fill in the attached form! A while later and I, too, was smartly dressed in blackwax.
When applied to clothing, the word 'icon' doesn't usually apply but I reckon that here it is entirely appropriate. Look it up in the Oxford dictionary and you'll see the definition thus: "Afamous person or thing that people admire and see as a symbol of a particular idea or way oflife:' Yes, I think the Barbour International jacket neatly ticks the icon box.
The name International first appeared applied to a one-piece suit designed for use in the 1936 International Six Days Trial, then to a two-piece version for British Military use in 1940, and then, perhaps somewhat improbably, issued to submariners, of all people!
Adopted by motorcyclists postwar (presumably because the ex-WD examples were readily available surplus) and gaining in popularity because they were then about as waterproof as you could get, they continued in production, gaining the distinctive slanted breast map-pocket in 1951.
I'll admit that I didn't know that the International jackets were olive green until 1953, only becoming black as part of a tie-up with the Vincent Owners'
Club, when the International became their 'uniform' jacket manufactured in the right colour to match their motorcycles.
It certainly didn't hurt when the already hugely famous Steve McQueen bought and wore an
International when he was part of the American ISDT team in 1964. Since then, the jacket has survived a further five decades, both as practical motorcycle wear and, more recently, especially with the McQueen connection, as a fashion item for high-street use.
Anyway, Barbour history lesson complete, we have moved on three decades from my jacket arriving. Somewhat obviously the magazine is still going, I no longer sell advertising but have returned as a columnist and, while the magazine goes from strength-to-strength, the same can't be said of my International. Frankly, it's more than a little careworn ... Although a home re-wax has kept it resolutely waterproof, it's becoming properly tatty- the cuffs and one sleeve have rubbed through from constant chafing against gloves and somehow I've holed the centre of a pocket.
I try to home restore most things, but also know my limits. I am not a seamstress and this needs more love than I can give it, better to hand it to the experts and see what can be done.
Replace it? Not a chance! Not because I am mean.
No, I don't want to buy another, because this is MY International, you may call me sentimental but it's been on some great motorcycling adventures with me and holds some fun memories, while being made for me makes it extra special. If sentimental reasons are not enough, more and more these days we are being asked to eschew the consumerist society and repair and reuse things as much as possible - here, I can be part of that too, although for Barbour this is far from a new concept, as they have been offering the re-wax part of the repair service since 1929.
I am not unaware of the irony that the somewhat careworn state which I want to obviate removes much of its cool appeal, as the distressed look is apparently very in. However, as I intend to use my International for its primary function of being a waterproof motorcycling jacket rather than as a fashion statement, the rebuild is long overdue.
All I needed to do was bundle the jacket up and send it to their factory at Jarrow, they'll quote for the repairs needed and, once I have accepted, get on with the job. They probably wouldn't be able to cope with something that looks like it has been fed through a bark shredder, but, apparently, most of the usual wear and tear like on mine can be dealt with.
I'm already looking forward to its return and recommencing our journey together.
--The name International.first appeared applied to a one-piece suit designedfor use in the 1936 International Six Days Trial."