Bicycle Mechanics - Where can I get a small piece of leather?

My Schwinn 1500 pump stopped working yesterday. I looked around for a replacement diaphragm, because the edge looked a liitle frayed and mangled. I couldn't find one, so I bought a new pump. But after taking a closer look at the 1500's diaphragm, I realized it was just a circular piece of leather that gets kind of cupped up in the tube. Soooo, I'd like try to make a new one, but I don't want to cut up my suede jacket for material ;) Anyone know where I can find a small piece of scrap leather?

Any bike shop, that has been around for a while, will have pump leathers in a box in the back.

At any number of craft shops in your neighborhood - Michael's (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=gc0736), etc. And lots of woodworking shops have similar large & small scraps.

You could check the phone book for places that do upholstery work. I'd expect them to have scraps left over from re-upholstering leather chairs or car seats.

Any bike shop, that has been around for a while, will have pump leathers in a box in the back.

+1

I just bought one for the frame pump that came on my '66 Raleigh. It was for another brand, and it's very stiff at this point but I think it will wear in.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have seen packs of leather at Michael's (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=gc0736), and I'll go there if I have too. I was just looking for a small piece of scrip on the cheap.

Shoe/leather repair shops?

A pump leather washer is moulded/shaped -- a sort of bell shape - to form a seal. Cutting out piece from a straight piece of craft or shoe leather won't be effective -- it will tend to leak.

Shoe/leather repair shops?

They still have those in Orygun?

+1

I just bought one for the frame pump that came on my '66 Raleigh. It was for another brand, and it's very stiff at this point but I think it will wear in.

You want to work oil(I use Phil but just about anything will work) into the leather. That will make it more supple and seal better

A pump leather washer is moulded/shaped -- a sort of bell shape - to form a seal. Cutting out piece from a straight piece of craft or shoe leather won't be effective -- it will tend to leak.

It's pretty easy to mold a piece of leather, if you've got a form. Simply soak it in water, stretch it over the form, and tack it in place to hold it while it dries.

You want to work oil(I use Phil but just about anything will work) into the leather. That will make it more supple and seal better
Take care, if you use mineral oil, that you don't use too much - if any gets into the tyre, it might damage the inner tube. If you're going to make your own washers, you'll need to choose your leather carefully - I've got plenty of suitable scrap, if needed (in U.K., though).

You want to work oil(I use Phil but just about anything will work) into the leather. That will make it more supple and seal better

Unless, of course, it came from a Brooks pump, in which case you'll want to Proofide it. :D

I used some silicone lube spray. I'm not too worried about getting it to work right now beause I have a problem with the hose as well- no check valve in there, so it sucks as well as blows.

Maybe you should just buy a new pump.

They still have those in Orygun?

Surprisingly, I have one in my town! Not sure how they survive?

Surprisingly, I have one in my town! Not sure how they survive?

Fixing shoes. And selling expensive orthotics.

A pump leather washer is moulded/shaped -- a sort of bell shape - to form a seal. Cutting out piece from a straight piece of craft or shoe leather won't be effective -- it will tend to leak.

The one I took out looked like it was a flat piece that developed the cup shape from being in the tube.
At anyrate, I got the leather, and made the new washer, but it didn't fix the problem. I didn't think it was the hose, but after giving it the underwater test, it turns out I was wrong. The hose was leaking behind the valve connector (I don't know what it's called). I cut hose shorted, and reinserted the connector with a clamp, and it seems to work again (still using the new leather washer). I need to find a longer hose though, I think I looked once before and couldn't find one.
One of my problems is that the hose originally had a Schrader connector, and at some point, for some reason, I cut the hose and jammed my Presta adapter into the opening. It's a very tight fit.

Thrift store belt.

The one I took out looked like it was a flat piece that developed the cup shape from being in the tube.


Is it possible that the leather is molded that shape to begin with?
Why yes it is.
There are several different sizes out there, you can even find ones that will fit a Medai pump.

My 1982-circa Silca Impero pump died on me recently. Opening it, I found the leather o-ring was dry as a bone. So I experimented by greasing it with Finish Line Teflon-based grease. Now it works as good as the day I got it.

You can go to your local hardware store that sells Sling-shots, usually the little ammo holder is made from leather, you can buy replacement pieces.