Ideale leather saddle

[biggs682]

I have this rather sad looking leather saddle in the garage and just wandered what will be the best way forward ?

Someone has suggested rubbing the dried out leather down to remove the broken bits then re treat with proofhide .

That sounds harsh to me

 

[EltonFrog]

The Brooks i have wasn’t as bad as that but I just smothered it in proofide several times and left it a few days in between coats. It revived quite nicely.

I’m no expert though and yours looks worse than mine.

 

[Brandane]

I realise that you are far better qualified than me when it comes to renovation of all things to do with classic and vintage bikes, but there comes a time when the best way forward is ...... the bin! To my untrained eye that leather looks beyond salvage as it's so badly cracked and dried out. Once you remove the broken bits, there won't be much left. I look forward to being proved wrong though as it's always good to see stuff like that brought back from the dead. Good luck!

 

[alicat]

If you are feeling cruel to others, give it away.

If you are feeling cruel to yourself, spend hours on TLC.

If you are feeling kind to everyone and everything involved, just bin it.

 

[Illaveago]

I have this rather sad looking leather saddle in the garage and just wandered what will be the best way forward ?

Someone has suggested rubbing the dried out leather down to remove the broken bits then re treat with proofhide .

That sounds harsh to me

View attachment 441123 View attachment 441124 View attachment 441125

I was wondering if you did as CarlP said by putting some life back into it with Proofide or dubbin first and then sort out the cracking later.

It would be a good experiment.

 

[EltonFrog]

I was wondering if you did as CarlP said by putting some life back into it with Proofide or dubbin first and then sort out the cracking later.

It would be a good experiment.

@biggs682 has got nothing to lose, I wouldn’t want to sit on it as it is. Some thing for the blog Martin.

 

[Ian H]

Are those really pop-rivets on the nose? They probably won't last long.

 

[carpenter]

eBay is your friend! don't bin it - sell it?

 

[Kempstonian]

Are those really pop-rivets on the nose? They probably won't last long.

I was wondering about those rivets. Has it been repaired in the past maybe?

I think it would be an interesting exercise to attempt a rejuvination. The experience might come in handy later on for other saddles.

 

[simongt]

Agree with the plenty of dubbin to begin with, several not too thick coats carefully rubbed in with a digit and pop it in the airing cupboard between coats allowing the dubbin to soak in. Once the leather has reacted or not, you can decide from there. But as has been observed, what appear to be pop rivets are a bit concerning.

 

[Freds Dad]

Hi if you're thinking of selling I would be interested. I can either buy it from you or make a donation to your favourite charity.

 

[biggs682]

Hi if you're thinking of selling I would be interested. I can either buy it from you or make a donation to your favourite charity.

@Freds Dad if you pay for the postage it's yours in as is condition

 

[Freds Dad]

@Freds Dad if you pay for the postage it's yours in as is condition

Thank you. PM me and we can make arrangements for postage payment.

 

[mjr]

Thank you. PM me and we can make arrangements for postage payment.

Will you let us know if the patient survives, please?

 

[biggs682]

Will you let us know if the patient survives, please?

@Freds Dad