Recovering saddle - what leather?

[montage]

As the title says really, the saddle is a san marco regale - I am after something black.

I guess some form of thin, real leather would be the most comfy?

 

[Paul.G.]

Great that your taking on such a task but will it actually work out any cheaper than just buying as new saddle? The San-Marco is still available.

 

[Ellillowladex]

You get lots of off cuts on eBay - I paid £8 delivered for a nice (40cm x 40cm) piece of Grey leather that I used to cover an old Flite saddle. You don't want anything too thick, about 1mm is fine and gives a little stretch, over 1mm and it's a pain to work with.

 

[montage]

Great that your taking on such a task but will it actually work out any cheaper than just buying as new saddle? The San-Marco is still available.

this is the xlite carbo version, a good £100ish give or take!

Recovering should cost £10 for the material, say £10 tops for adhesive, then £10 to get it riveted, £30 tops, plus the excitement of another project!

 

[montage]

You get lots of off cuts on eBay - I paid £8 delivered for a nice (40cm x 40cm) piece of Grey leather that I used to cover an old Flite saddle. You don't want anything too thick, about 1mm is fine and gives a little stretch, over 1mm and it's a pain to work with.

Thanks! Is the cover still going strong?

 

[Ellillowladex]

Yes still going strong and has been subjected to wet weather too. I used carpet adhesive spray (£4), which seems to have done the job rather well.

 

[Globalti]

They don't use leather, they use vinyl, which is soft and stretchy and conforms easily with the shape. Make sure the vinyl is warm then pull off the old cover and cut a piece a little bigger, start by stretching it end to end then pull out and trim the sides using Evo Stik to hold it under the saddle shell. A sharp knife, scissors and a stapler will help as well as some glue remover. You can get the vinyl from automotive trim suppliers like Segal Motor Trim in Manchester who might send you a small piece as a sample. They have a wide range of colours.

 

[montage]

I've picked up some leather and some vinyl. The leather is a little thicker but easier to stretch and mould, and honestly, I think the properties of it will be vastly superior compared to the sweaty vinyl, so I am going to give that a shot.

Getting rivets for the san marco regal might be an issue!