Bicycle Mechanics - can a Brooks be saved from near death?

Hey Kids!
My 1970 Raleigh Sports has a Brooks B-something-or-other. It isn't totally gone. It is still supple, like a very old bomber jacket, but it is starting to tear at one of the front rivets. The saddle needs to be tensioned, but I am afraid to move forward and thus wrecking the saddle. What should I do to keep this saddle alive as long as possible. I fear oiling it will only make the problem worse. Any thoughts? Are there any products that will bring it back to life and stop the progress of decades of neglect? Should I attempt to sew around the offending rivet?
Thanks!
j

I was faced with the same dilemma about six months ago, and ponied up $125 for a new Brooks Professional. The original (1972) was still servicable, but looked like it had a social disease.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/OldBrooksProf.jpghttp://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/NewBrooksProf.jpg

Hey Kids!
My 1970 Raleigh Sports has a Brooks B-something-or-other. It isn't totally gone. It is still supple, like a very old bomber jacket, but it is starting to tear at one of the front rivets. The saddle needs to be tensioned, but I am afraid to move forward and thus wrecking the saddle. What should I do to keep this saddle alive as long as possible. I fear oiling it will only make the problem worse. Any thoughts? Are there any products that will bring it back to life and stop the progress of decades of neglect? Should I attempt to sew around the offending rivet?
Thanks!
j

I ripped one that had exactly the problem you describe. Definitely do not tension the saddle,thats what caused mine to finally fail. You can try sewing, and I believe you can also get new leather for them.

There are always tons of them on Ebay for about $20+.

Stan, send me the saddle you took off. I've ridden way worse. I even drilled holes on the oposing sides of a rip on this very tattered B15 once and laced the tear so it was rideable.

If the saddle is not good anyway, I would suggest you drill a few holes on both sides at the bottom of the skirt and that you lace it tight. That way, you will hold the skirt in place and will get a bit of added rigidity.

I did that with one such saddle 3 years ago, and it's probably good for another 2 years.

On a slightly related note, a question.....

I have recently started riding my Paramount with its practically new and unused Brooks saddle. Surprisingly comfortable, the only problem being that it transfers leather dye to the seat of my pants! My Gitane also does this to some extent. Other than getting darker pants, how does one avoid this problem??

That's the first I've ever heard of dye rubbing off a Brooks. I even dyed my wife's Brooks with leather dye I picked up at the supermarket and none wore off. Are you sure it's dye and not some sort of oil that has been applied to the saddle?

[...] the only problem being that it transfers leather dye to the seat of my pants! My Gitane also does this to some extent. Other than getting darker pants, how does one avoid this problem??

I've heard the reason cycling shorts are traditionally black was because they don't show the dye that rubs off from the saddle. I have a B-17 that's only ever been treated with Proofide, has about 1000 miles on it, and still transfers dye to a white cloth rubbed on it. I have a feeling it may stop when the saddle is old and well worn but that'll be years. You might try one of the honey colored saddles. Unless you are wearing white pants, whatever dye comes off it is not likely to show as bad as black.