Introduction: Bicycle Seat to Bull
Wondering what to do with that dilapidated Brooks saddle you just can't throw away? Have some wall space that is in need of ornamentation?
With a handful of spare bike parts and about twenty minutes of time you can create a quirky "Bicycle Seat Bull". Shout out to Bike Works of Seattle, WA for originally showing me this nifty craft.
Step 1: Gather
Below are suggested materials and tools. I'm sure that if you scrounge in your parts box you'll find many alternatives that will work just as well or better.
Parts
• Weathered leather saddle
• Bull horn handlebars
• Eye assembly (two of each)
- Post bolt from canti or V brakes
- Jockey wheel from derailleur
- Washer from caliper brake pad
- Acorn nut from caliper brake pad
• 2x large zip ties
• Electrical tape
Implements
• Scissors
• Pointy spoke
• Leather punch
• Large hammer
Step 2: Tape
Use the electrical tape to coat the top half of the seat and middle section of the handle bars. This provides a tacky interface so that the handlebars will not rotate unnecessarily when mounted.
Step 3: Zip
Use zip ties to secure the handlebar to the saddle.
Step 4: Poke
Arrange jockey wheels to desired location for the eyes. Grab that pokey spoke and make a small hole in the leather to mark where you need to gouge out room for the bolts.
Step 5: Punch
With the large hammer and hollow punch, create two holes where the eyes will go. Alternatively, you may use a drill, however be very careful as the bit may catch the leather and ruin the saddle.
Step 6: Enlighten
Screw on the eye components in the following order: bolt, jockey washer, jockey, saddle, washer, acorn bolt. You may need additional spaces depending on the thickness of the leather. Rinse and repeat on the oposite side. Unless of course you'd like it to be a one eyed bull, but then you'd need to find an eye patch.
Step 7: Marvel
Ta da! All finished. Ready for the rodeo.
10 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks jmchez. For anyone who is interested, here is a short, clickable link to the Wall Street Journal article they are referring to http://tinyurl.com/97ojxzc
6 years ago
Great Design !
10 years ago on Introduction
I am a long horn freak. I gotta have one of these. I will look for a junk bike. Thanks.
10 years ago on Introduction
You made a nice bull. It would be even nicer when you have the courtesy to mention Picasso in your instructable's text, not just in the comments.
Nice job, btw. I've always wanted to make one, but never did.
11 years ago on Introduction
I like it!
Deer version may be possible.
11 years ago on Introduction
Eh eh, I saw the one from Picasso.
11 years ago on Introduction
Simple and funny... good work.
11 years ago on Introduction
Ha ha ha! Very good work!!
11 years ago on Introduction
You know, the real shout out should be to Pablo Picasso who first came up with this in 1942.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=picasso%20bicycle%20seat%20bull&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDoQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052748703551304576261042931202326.html&ei=xs5DUOiYMpCP0QGNqIDoDA&usg=AFQjCNFD9E8Od4uTz7_ci6uysfkWwO3MZw
11 years ago on Introduction
Wow, that's really effective - good job!