[CR]Leather saddle restoration question

(Example: Framebuilding:Norris Lockley)

Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2003 19:44:27 -0700
From: "Steve Maas" <stevem@nonlintec.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Leather saddle restoration question

I have a Wright's leather saddle. It is in basically good condition, except that the sides along the nose, which should be vertical, are splayed out at an angle. I would like to make them vertical again.

The standard "fix" is to wet the leather, clamp it in shape, and let it dry completely. This trick has worked for me with other leather saddles. However, I made a fundamental mistake with this one: when I got the saddle, it was very dry, so I oiled it heavily before trying to straighten the leather. Now, it's nice and supple, but I can't get it to soak up any water. So, when I try this trick, it just springs back to the splayed shape in a couple of days.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance--

Steve Maas
(hot and muggy in)
Long Beach, California