Chap zippers

[Skeeter Lewis]

Pards, I'm putting some new zippers on modern-style chaps for a pal. I've done one leg and then realized that the zipper for the other leg is the same, instead of a mirror image. Does that make sense? Am I being dense?
It means that the zipper-pull will be facing the other way around. Tandy say they're all the same.
What do pards do about this?
The original zippers were mirror images.

[Don Nix]

A zipper is a zipper,There is no right or left.Just lay your chaps out with the two sides drawn together as if the zipper was installed. then just lay the zipper down on the chaps and look at it . Surely  you  will be able to figure it out. there no left or tight only up and dowm   

[Skeeter Lewis]

The zipper on the left has to replace the one on the right. The zipper pulls are on different sides. The originals are mirror images and they're both on the same side. Am I nuts?

[Skeeter Lewis]

I find I'm not nuts. Zips are left or right - as is stipulated in the third line down on this chap maker's web page. (Also gals zip up the other way!)
http://www.leatherlegends.com/Chaps_ALL.html#Biker

[GunClick Rick]

I had a friend that used to make mighty fine show chaps,Ben Castilla.I just mention that in case someone knows him,been trying to find out where he ended up..

I been chaped by a zipper a time or two Glad ya gotter whooped

[Don Nix]

Ok let me answer this correctly. I sometimes forget that not every knows what I know.
I have been building chaps of all sorts for 40 years so I've sewn in one or two zippers. if you buy a completed zipper from say Tandy of a proscribed length, 24", 28" etc. You will receive two identical zippers complete. All you have to do sew then in with the pull Tabs facing the outside.The pull tab side will be on opposite sides and in that you are correct.
But to build chaps correctly or to make the proper repairs, you must purchase raw zipper stock which comes in rolls and you must cut to the proper length. You have to set the zipper stops  at the ends and the zipper start tags and assemble the whole zipper, That way they are indeed mirror images. I buy zipper stock by the roll and make them as I need them for what ever the customers need maybe,guncase etc.
But if you just order a zipper,thats what you'll get ,there is no left or right in most cases.

[GunClick Rick]

And attach to a gusset.

[outrider]

Don Nix has already addressed what I was going to say....beat me too it.

Tandy does sell YKK zipper parts and pre-cut lengths in various sizes, as well as the finished zippers....remember though that the YKK parts do not fit the finished zippers that are manufactured by a different company

[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks Don and Trailrider.