Re: [CR]Re-covering brooks saddles

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

From: "David Snyder" <dddd@pacbell.net>
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <3.0.6.32.20071202203231.019b6700@mailhost.oxford.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re-covering brooks saddles
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 18:00:18 -0800
reply-type=original

For clarification, I have the like-new cover off of a broken saddle, with nose piece already riveted in. This leaves me tempted to just go at it with some low-profile screws and nuts, but I would prefer originality. Has anyone tried extending the threading on the nose bolt, so as to allow some additional relaxation while the rear rivets are secured? That seems like an easy solution, using a threading die, but then the threads probably aren't common so the nearby hardware store likely woudn't have the die.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I think I have a source for the genuine rivets somewhere in my email archives.

David Snyder Auburn, CA usa

John Betmanis wrote:
> I presume you have taken the factory tour at
> http://www.brookssaddles.com/brooksengland.html
>
> You will see there is a press that forms the leather into its shape.
> Whoever does this would need some such tooling. Another way would be to
> soak the hide in water and tie it around a male form to dry. I suppose a
> Swallow would be easier to make without such tooling. A shoemaker could
> probably do it if provided with enough pictures.


>Art Link wrote:
>>Cyclart has a saddle department. Art Link,San Antonio,TX,USA


> At 04:48 PM 02/12/2007 -0800, David Snyder wrote:
>>>I'm looking for a U.S. installer of saddle hides.
>>>I have a worn-out Brooks Pro saddle and have the new leather that it
>>>needs to have riveted on, but I understand the job is quite a challenge
>>>without proper fixturing at the ready.
>>> Does anybody do this stateside?