Classic & Vintage - Dead Brooks?

I got a Brooks saddle from a friend and its kind of soft. My ideale is quite hard by comparison, so I'm thinking the Brooks is toast. The leather feels a little damp too. Is there anything I can do to save it? Will tightening the tension bolt help at all?

I got a Brooks saddle from a friend and its kind of soft. My ideale is quite hard by comparison, so I'm thinking the Brooks is toast. The leather feels a little damp too. Is there anything I can do to save it? Will tightening the tension bolt help at all?
I'd trying drying it out (not with heat) first. The way to form leather is to dampen it first, because that softens it and makes it workable. So it's quite possible that it's the dampness that's causing the softness.

if it's damp do not tighten the tension bolt, you will stretch the leather
and cause irreparable damage.
I'd let it dry, then if still saggy, try tightening the tension bolt 1/4 turn.
and speaking of drying, don't try a hairdryer or the like, let the saddle air dry,
then you might want to apply some kind of leather conditioner, I'd stay away
from wax, or oils that might trap any moisture that is still in the saddle.

Marty

It's sitting on a shelf in the house drying now. I'll let you know what it feels like in a few days.

It may be OK; those things are pretty durable.

Damp? Why is it damp? What's on it? Water? If so, just do what you're doing. Don't tension or treat it til it's good and dry. It'll be fine.

I got a Brooks saddle on a 1975 bike I purchased. The saddle looks nice and I used some leather cleaner on it and it came out looking almost unused (new) looking. What would be recommended to give it a polished or less dry look? Thanks.

Your prob going to call me a nut, but I use Avon Moisture Therapy hand cream for my dried out leather seats! LOL! Its true! I apply a nice thin layer to the seat twice a day for two days, then I let it sit with another coat for another day, then I use a cloth like a hand towel and wipe it clean, its just like "feeding" the leather, works fantastic!

Or, you can use neutral Kiwi boot polish.

Open the can, light it with a match, let it go for a few seconds, blow it out, then apply while hot and molten with a rag. Allow it to dry to a haze, then spit-shine that puppy like a parade boot! I do it now and again to keep my saddles slick and cool riding.

Or, you can use neutral Kiwi boot polish.

Open the can, light it with a match, let it go for a few seconds, blow it out, then apply while hot and molten with a rag. Allow it to dry to a haze, then spit-shine that puppy like a parade boot! I do it now and again to keep my saddles slick and cool riding.

Wouldn't that just be waxing?

A polish or waxing of some kind should be done after cleaning and feeding the leather, it will help seal the newly revitalized leather against moisture, dirt, and such :)

A polish or waxing of some kind should be done after cleaning and feeding the leather, it will help seal the newly revitalized leather against moisture, dirt, and such :)

Your right, Which was my point. You don't need to set fire to shoe polish, just use some wax!