Identity area
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Title
Date(s)
- 2008-2009 (Creation)
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Context area
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Administrative history
The company was founded in 1982 by Peter Laughton and David Wooding to make motorcycle boots. They called it 'Frank Thomas' because they wanted a traditional, classic British name. Initially they used outworkers from the Northamptonshire shoe industry to make the boots and then expanded into making gloves. In 1985 they moved manufacturing to Asia and gradually added motorcycle leather suits, jackets, jeans and waterproof clothing to their product range.
In the early 2000s Frank Thomas Limited acquired Lintek, Bikezone, BKS Leathers and Red Route and the company became the Frank Thomas Group. In 2011 they were acquired by J&S Accessories, a UK independent motorcycling clothing and accessories retailer.
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Content and structure area
Scope and content
Pair of black and grey (reflective) motorcycle riding protective trousers with removable padded lining. They have a grey waistband with elasticated sections and two velcro tabs on each side to tighten. They fasten centre front with a zip fly (no placket) and tab with press stud. The centre front and side sections are grey, the crotch and top of the thigh area is black lightweight fabric.
Below each hip is a webbing strap with buckle to tighten and below the straps are flapped and zip fastening pockets. The front top of the thigh of each trouser leg has a horizontal pleated section for movement. The trouser legs are black on the inside thigh and grey on the outside and around the calves. There is a long zip from the trouser cuffs vertically up the back of the leg to just below the knee.
The back of the trousers have a curved waist section in grey with 'FRANK THOMAS' embroidered in grey thread across it. Below that is a wide black pleated section across the lower back for movement.
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Notes area
Note
The trouser featured:
Aquapore Advanced waterproof/breathable membrane lining
CE approved knee armour
Detachable thermal winter lining
Side adjusters
Stretch panelling at waist and knees
Mesh pockets
Reflective piping
Note
The trouser featured:
Aquapore Advanced waterproof/breathable membrane lining
CE approved knee armour
Detachable thermal winter lining
Side adjusters
Stretch panelling at waist and knees
Mesh pockets
Reflective piping
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Sources
Kit review by Samuel Pinney in Motorcycle News, 2009
Frank Thomas kit forum comment, 22 September 2008, on UKGser