Cover your worn bicycle saddle with real leather

Step 4 Stick the leather on the saddle, finish the application.

Start from the nose. In my case there was a screw hole where I could attach the longer nose edge of the leather. Stretch it towards rear and glue the rear edges. Then move towards the front piecemeal on both sides and meet up at the nose.

Impact glue is a wonderful thing. It holds strongly immediately, but also it is very elastic. Great stuff.

Put the plastic pieces and screws back in place (i.e., the rear and nose pieces in my case).

Adore your final product.

One note, though. I found out that my leather was not water-proof. Even worse, it sucks water like a sponge. So, I have to keep it covered with a plastic bag to save it from rain. :-) Maybe someone has an idea on waterproofing it (but without ruining its looks)...

Comments and questions welcome!..

thearchitect.

Comments

[TimBoLee]

I like that, good job. I think i'll do that with an old leather jacket I have and fix-up an old sadle I have. I like working with leather any'ways. Thanks.

[ivanjunge]

 Nice work! Consider a semi-regular application of mink oil. It should keep it supple and keep the water off. 

[baileyscot]

wherever you buy shoes you can probably pick up a spray can of leather sealer and protectant. just make sure you use several good coats. i use it on all my shoes and they stay clean and nice way longer than without. great instructable.

[CHED F.B]

Hi, great instructable, I'm in Oz, Do you think Impact Adhesive is the same as Contact cement - I'm doing my seat on my reliable 10 speed racer which I got secondhand about 12 years ago and have had great reward from keeping on the road for this period, thanks for the instructable - very clear - good instructions.

[thearchitect]

Hi, thanks, yes it is the same thing I think. As long as it is an elastic glue that works both on plastic and leather, you are good to go. Good luck! K.

[James Haskin]

To waterproof it you could try Aquaseal. Or you could use a marine vinyl. Get some free samples. I was thinking about recovering my amp in this stuff.

[yammymyyammy]

to protect the leather...try using a scotchguard water repellant..Give it a few coats. You can pick some up wherever you buy leather shoes which need protection from winter weather..

[OddJob]

I just recently covered my favorite saddle with scraps from a discarded leather trench coat (my wife's - thank God for style changes). I used a spray adhesive that was smeared evenly on the leather and then massaged over the existing cover. Will try to take a picture and add later. I agree with thearchitect in that it is a soft ride. I used a couple of applications of saddle soap to help weather-proof the leather.

[double2]

Well I would like to try this because my puppy ate my bike seat cover this winter. However I think I need a little padding!! We actually have a "saddle maker" intown I will see if I can get some supplies from him.