BROOKS Champion Narrow B.17

[Saffican85]

Hi All,
Looking for some advice/information. I recently purchased an old vintage road racer. Got it for the grand price of £39 and when i picked it up, discovered it had quite an old Brooks saddle on it. In pretty good condition apart from a minor scuff where it had been leaned against a wall. Just wondered how to date it if possible as i cant find any engravings/model numbers on it other that the "BROOKS Champion Narrow B.17" logo depressed into the side of the leather saddle. Advice would be much appreciated?! Cheers

 

[raleighnut]

That's what it is, a B17n still current in their lineup and one of their most comfy for touring/hybrid bikes. Not rare or expensive but a Bl**dy good saddle to ride, if its been looked after correctly.

 

[biggs682]

Hi All,
Looking for some advice/information. I recently purchased an old vintage road racer. Got it for the grand price of £39 and when i picked it up, discovered it had quite an old Brooks saddle on it. In pretty good condition apart from a minor scuff where it had been leaned against a wall. Just wondered how to date it if possible as i cant find any engravings/model numbers on it other that the "BROOKS Champion Narrow B.17" logo depressed into the side of the leather saddle. Advice would be much appreciated?! Cheers

normally on the underside of the saddles chassis near to where the rails finish there should be a date stamp

 

[John the Canuck]

i bought a 1950s Brooks B15 Narrow............dated cos the owner bought the bike then
it was quite dry

if yours is dry............
loosen the tension then -
2 layers of beeswax to the underside with a toothbrush - 1 day apart
a thin layer rubbed topside with fingers
then Brooks Proofide on top twice [ a week apart ]

i use a Beeswax and Carnauba mix [ from rifle custom stock days ]
if you'd like some to 'feed' the leather --- PM your address...FOC........

john
.

.

 

[Saffican85]

Thanks guys! Yes mine is almost identical to the one pictured above that John has....in very good condition. Looked all over it for some sort of date or code, but can only see " made in England" engraved in the metalwork underneath the saddle. I'm guessing its from the same era as the one above. Thanks for the help and tips....shall get myself some of this Proofide me thinks!!

 

[John the Canuck]

Proofide contains tallow which actually softens leather - which you don't really want

so ... little but often at first is the key

 

[Saffican85]

Yea i've researched it a little now and watched quite an interesting little documentary on the history of Brooks....i think I've inadvertently acquired a really good seat so i'm going to apply a touch of proofide and let my A$$ do the rest of the breaking in

 

[Tony Smith]

I've got a brand new Cannondale that, amongst other things, I have changed the manufacturers razor blade of a saddle for my trusted Brooks. Cherish it and it'll last you a lifetime. Brooks will also always refurbish a saddle no matter HOW old it is.

 

[Saffican85]

 

[Saffican85]

These are the pics of my Champion Narrow B17.....Can anyone help with an age estimate???? I have looked all over it and cannot see any date stamps or engravings...only engraved with "made in england.

 

[raleighnut]

Looks 70s to me and that's when they were fitted as standard to most of the 'high end' racing style bikes along with the cheaper but by now rarer B5n (same shape, same rails but with a dimple tooled top as they were made from hide with surface scarring). Top end bikes had the Swift ,Swallow or Team Professional.
Looks to be in good shape and tension though, Proofide it well and it should last another 40 years or so easy and the rust should clean up alright with silver (aluminium) foil.

P.S. Its called a B17n

 

[Saffican85]

Looks 70s to me and that's when they were fitted as standard to most of the 'high end' racing style bikes along with the cheaper but by now rarer B5n (same shape, same rails but with a dimple tooled top as they were made from hide with surface scarring). Top end bikes had the Swift ,Swallow or Team Professional.
Looks to be in good shape and tension though, Proofide it well and it should last another 40 years or so easy and the rust should clean up alright with silver (aluminium) foil.

P.S. Its called a B17n

Thanks Raleighnut! Yea the saddle is in great nick so i've decided to keep it instead of making some money back on what i paid for the bike. Got some proofide on the way so that'll be my next little project