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Zipper problems on riding jacket help

bmwgsrider

Member
I have has my Olympia riding jacket since May 06'. All of a sudden, I am having problems getting the jacket to zip. It's either like playing tugowar and not sure if you will win or the jacket. I am having problems zipping the jacket up and just not only on my person but with it off too.

Does anyone who have has problems not being able to zip jacket have any words of wisdom on what I can do to where I don't have this problems to where it will start Zipping nice again.

It's still a very good riding jacket and in good condition.

Thanks in advance.
 
Try cleaning the zipper teeth and slider with an old tooth brush to remove dirt, etc. Then rub a bar of soap up and down the teeth an inch or two to lube. I've done this on my work boot zippers and have had some luck.

Good luck. gm
 
If all else fails, you could probably have the zipper replaced reasonably enough. Some dry cleaners offer alteration/repair services, or one of those Stitch-It type places.
 
I have has my Olympia riding jacket since May 06'. All of a sudden, I am having problems getting the jacket to zip. It's either like playing tugowar and not sure if you will win or the jacket. I am having problems zipping the jacket up and just not only on my person but with it off too.

Does anyone who have has problems not being able to zip jacket have any words of wisdom on what I can do to where I don't have this problems to where it will start Zipping nice again.

It's still a very good riding jacket and in good condition.

Thanks in advance.

Make sure you don't have a fabric caught under the zipper slider. I have an Eddie Bauer fleece jacket with a poorly placed flap/cover near the zipper. If the flap is caught under the slider........it's a real bear to un-jam
 
Zipper Malfunction

Had something similar with my Airflow jacket a number of years ago. Took it in to have a new zipper installed and the guy reached under the counter, grabbed a set of needle nose pliers, tweeked the zipper head twice and voila! He says he does this all the time and he has never replaced a malfuntioning zipper unless the whole thing has split apart. Worth a try before you pay to replace a zipper. Good Luck.
 
Had something similar with my Airflow jacket a number of years ago. Took it in to have a new zipper installed and the guy reached under the counter, grabbed a set of needle nose pliers, tweeked the zipper head twice and voila! He says he does this all the time and he has never replaced a malfuntioning zipper unless the whole thing has split apart. Worth a try before you pay to replace a zipper. Good Luck.

From the website of some guy that used to repair tankbags. :dunno
Here is your chance to "do it yourself" following these simple directions. First it is important to clean and lubricate your tankbag zippers. They are full of the road grime that you routinely wash off of your bike. I use a silicon spray, apply liberally, wipe zipper with a clean rag, reapply and operate the slide. What a difference!

You should also be aware that most, but not all BMW tankbags use locking tab zippers. To release the lock you pull out on the pull tab, perpendicular from the direction of the slide travel.

If you have a zipper that seperates after being closed, you can often repair this by squeezing the slide together with a pair of pliers. You want to squeeze it just slightly, not to the point that the slide binds on the cloth portion of the zipper.

Note: This method works on any zipper that is not too worn, including jackets, pants and Stitches. Lube your tent zippers too, nothing worse than a 2AM nature call and being unable to get out!
 
Slider Issues

If cleaning and lubing the teeth doesn't work, your problem may be the slider. I had this problem with my TourMaster jacket and a non-MC rain jacket. I replaced the sliders and all was good again. TourMaster sent me new sliders gratis even though I'm the second owner (Kudos!). There are zipper specialist where I live, there may be some in your are as well. They should have parts as well as entire zippers if an entire replacement isn't warranted.
 
Had the same problem with an Olympia jacket.... Called them and they sent me a new zipper that I had a local tailor install. Things wear out after awhile.

Greg
 
Not an expert here, just a fellow sufferer. Take my comments for what they are worth.

1. On NON-faulty zippers cleaning and lubricating can prevent problems and make them work much easier. I lean toward silicone spray on a rag rather than wax or soap. Seems to me the latter two items are more likely to accumulate dirt than silicone.

2. BEWARE of really fine-toothed zippers. (I'm thinking of the one on my Fieldsheer rain jacket.) Put any stress on them and, when they separate, I think the damage is done. No amount of tinkering has fixed mine - though there is always the possibility my tinkering was less than expert. Will look into getting the zipper replaced, though the jacket also has velcro tabs that overlap the zipper and work fairly well.

3. I have an old BMW tank bag on my K100RS - slightly modified locally to fit since it came with the dear departed K75. One real PIA was unzipping the bag to fill the gas tank. Go one notch too far and, instead of being able to hinge it up, it was unzipped from the base. Getting it back on the base required removing the whole damn thing, several minutes, and language I'm not proud of. The solution to THAT problem was a couple bobbypins through the fabric just short of the un-zip point.

4. I've had a somewhat unsatisfactory relationship with zippers since age 5 when I caught my scrotum in my pants zipper. I'm now 65 and, with therapy, am making some progress.
 
I somehow cought my jacket zipper in the closet door. Lotsa leaverage there.
The narrow end was pinched, and out of alignment, had to strighten it with plyers. Was maybe .005in or so.
Probably would not bend much further without breaking.

I figgured if I broke it, it was off to the taylor anyway. Was a nylon "wear guard" from my work.
 
The reason for using a bar of soap is that it is easy to wash out to remove the dirt that any lube will attract. it's always available, and it won't stain the fabric. Also, it won't melt like wax does.
 
If it is an up/down zipper have it replaced with an up only. I have had more trouble getting the up/down to start over the years and now I just have them changed out when I buy the jacket. Cost about $25.00 at my dry cleaner's tailor.
 
Inspect the zipper very carefully to see if there is something causing the problem... I mean with a magnifying glass careful. A thread or similar item can cause the issue. Check to see if the slide has an equal gap on either side and that the gaps are sufficient in size to allow the device to slide.. A bump can pinch one or both sides and make the thing difficult to use. And lubricate. Several workable ideas above; I like a little carefully applied silicone.

If all else fails take it to a taior to inspect; he/she will know what to look for.

Good luck.
 
A very small amount of wear to, or a bend in the slider can wreak havoc in zipper function. I would try replacing the slider next.
 
I stopped at a leather shop to have them look at the zipper as I was still having problems... I was told that the start of the zipper is fraying and he took a lighter to the zipper... I was told that if it happens again to take a lighter to it... and if it still giving me a problem I was told to replace the zipper and since don't use the double zipper suggested to use a single zipper. Said the jacket still good and not reason for me to rid the jacket as a zipper if it comes to that is what will correct the issue.

Has anyone had the zipper fray that causes the problem from the zipper not zipping and/or making it hard at times? Is this common thing to happen?

I will give it a few days to see if what he did resolved the issue or not...

Thanks.
 
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