“To restore an old wreck of a bike that hasn’t run for 80 years, rebuild it and take it out into the courtyard and fire it up and have a ride on it, well there’s nothing that beats that for me.” 
Made from heavyweight waxed cotton, it's tough as nails and built to handle anything—rain, wind, you name it. The patina it’s developed over time gives it a rugged character you just can't fake.
Disassembling a 1970s Belstaff Sammy Miller jacket begins with detailed documentation—photographing and measuring every panel to preserve its original shape. Each waxed cotton piece is carefully removed, pressed, and traced onto pattern paper, capturing key features like seam allowances and grainlines.
The process reveals thoughtful construction: double-layered elbows, box-pleated pockets with drain holes, a storm flap over the YKK zipper, and a corduroy-lined collar. After testing the pattern with a calico fabric, the jacket is rebuilt in the original order, preserving the rugged utility and design of this iconic trials garment.
Reconstructing the Sammy Miller jacket isn't just about replication—it’s about understanding the mindset behind the original design: a purpose-built, rugged jacket engineered for off-road trials riding, where every seam and snap was functional. The final result retains the spirit of the 1970s while offering a blueprint for future builds or modifications.
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