Does anyone know what the kidney belt was? It was the first item of clothing that was created specifically for motorcycle wear.  Riding a motorcycle back in the 1920′s was really rough on the  kidneys. There was rear suspension so you felt every rut and pot hole that there was in the road.  So these “riding belts” were a very much needed part of the motorcycle wearing gear. This was the firs piece of clothing that was adapted especially for motorcycle riding. And they were the first piece of clothing that bikers personalized. There were some that were made with a handle on the back of it for the passenger. If I was the passenger I would probably fall off and pull the other rider off with me.  Harley Davidson sold two kinds of these belts back in 1927. The class A was sold for $4 and the class B was $3. In 1957 with the added suspension these belts were no longer needed.  Below is a picture of two riders wearing these belts. But also take a look at the clothing they are wearing. I got this information with compliments of the Harley Davidson Motor Company Archives. There is some really interesting article in the archive as well as pictures.

"Copyright Harley-Davidson" "Photographs courtesy of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Archives."