northbend 

^ Now that is beautiful, Root!

SJX426 

Scott,
Have you thought about leaving the seam on the bottom a little open so if the leather stretches the seam can be tightened up like shoe laces?

rootboy 

Already done, SJX. Thanks.

rootboy 

Thank you, NB.

gomango

Real talent.

My grandpa was an accomplished woodworker after they sold their dairy farm.

Everytime I see exceptional woodwork I think fondly of him.

Thanks RB.

crank_addict

That's some terrific handwork! Imagine lots of dedicated time, trial and error to a finished product. Many years from now, someone will have a classic and wonder of these hoods. Should burnish or tool your mark.

rootboy 

Much obliged, Gomango. That may be the best thing I've ever made. It was for a special person, so the passion of doing it was the reward.

rootboy 

Thanks, CA. Yes indeed. Here, for instance, are the trial and error rejects. All of which I consider un-usable.

northbend 

One hour in the rain yesterday and the hoods got wet and ya know? They didn't melt. Buy with confidence, folks.

They are starting to darken and show some more character and I am very excited about where this is going.. Thanks again Root, these are great

rootboy 

Well, that is a great feedback, Northbend. Thanks very much. I like the fact that they're aging up nicely too. I figured they would. Used and well-handled vegetable tanned leather gets a real nice patina to it. I much prefer it natural, rather than dyed.
Thanks NB!

Drillium Dude 

In reviewing the "rejects" pic above, I just have to ask: what was wrong with the darker one right in the center? Looks perfect to me!

I would just bet that use is going to make these hoods look really, really cool over the course of time. I'm excited to put in my order in a couple months when I'm back home.

Now, what chance you make a couple sets for the vintage Campy Ergo crowd?



DD

unworthy1

Hats off to you! I really enjoy seeing fine craftsmanship, and this is indeed some...I don't care what some people call it!
I also enjoy seeing the process in that series of pics, plus the tools (some of which I've used myself) as well as some (like that lignum vitae burnisher wheel) that nobody's seen before now.
I'd also vote that you "sign" your work in some way...I think a hot stamp (or brand) would be a lot easier to work with than a die for stamping (which I believe requires wetting the leather and might ruin your shaping)...either inside or outside...
I used to use waxed linen thread but switched over to waxed nylon when I thought that the synthetic was superior....nowadays I'd vote you track down some waxed hemp thread: stronger than linen and less likely to "cut" than nylon when pulled tight, AND it's a sustainable fiber.
(no cannabis jokes, please, it's hemp thread not a smokable product)
BRAVO!

rootboy 

Thanks Jeff! Guess what? All of those shrunk. And I figured I had it down when I cut them a tad longer. But they continued to shrink even after I thought they were bone dry. Weird stuff, is animal skin. In short, some of those are probably usable for sure, but I'm a picky S.O.B. They don't quite cover all of the lever body, sit away from the bar by about 3/32nds or so. They became my models for experimenting with coloring.

Also note that one in the center that there is no "slot" built in to the leather for the lever itself to move downward. Didn't really figure that in until a few into the process, ha. I was forming them on a body mounted to some bars but without the lever attached. Funny how one can distract oneself and miss important details like that.

lotekmod

This animal skin is weird stuff. I didn't believe you that it would take that long to dry after soaking, but on my saddle project I think I rode it too soon and it stretched. The worst part is YOU WARNED ME and I didn't listen. Well maybe it will shrink some more. Live and learn, and sometimes listen. Great hoods by the way. Maybe my stretched saddle leather will become brake hoods now.

CustomSteel

I just wanted to say thank you for all of the useful information in this thread. I have some aero brakes that I can't source replacement hoods for, and I think this is an even better solution than I would have hoped.

rootboy 

Thanks kindly. You know, I'm not really sure what this cord I'm using now is made of. An old 400 yard spool that I think I must've picked up at an estate sale 20 years ago. Sort of a brownish color. I am presuming it is nylon as it says it is carpet thread on a small sticker on the underside of the spool. Carpet thread to me is the slightly heavy stuff I've bought at the sewing store, and had never seen this before. It's heavier. I like it because it is slightly thinner than the waxed nylon I have from Tandy's, and twisted rather than stranded. I may have to do the burn and sniff test on it.

Thank you for the comments, Unworthy1.

rootboy 

Well, thanks, Lotekmod. It might've still been damp, but I suspect it might be that the leather you used was too thin. Don't know.
This material is weird stuff. I have to discard about one in five of these things as it just doesn't seem to react the same as the others. I can't figure it out. I even consulted an old pal of mine out in Idaho. He makes stunning handmade knives and equally stunning sheaths for them.
When he explained to me…as Rudi had before…. why leather is so unpredictable sometimes, it made sense. But still frustrating. The stuff is growing on an animal and shaped thusly. Then it gets hammered and ripped and washed and rolled and pressed and skived and otherwise severely treated….to get it to look like it does when we see it as leather….it's no wonder there are all kinds of strange stresses hidden within it.
It really is a bit like wood in that respect. A once living thing, that still wants to move around even though it is no longer technically "alive".

daf1009

Scott

I received my hoods while I was traveling last week...got home this weekend...and Wow! They are super cool! I cannot wait (well, guess I have to, as I still do not have all the components I need for my build) to get them on my restored 1970 Raleigh International and get to riding with them. I am glad to hear others having a positive experience...I am looking so forward to them! Great craftsmanship, thoughtfulness, creativity...and just plain awesomeness!

Great work...I look forward to buying more!

Duane

Fahrenheit531 

Your determination is admirable. That's a big stack of templates.
End result: ART.

rootboy 

Thanks Duane. Hope you like them and, that they fit well.

By the way, to all of you who have purchased a set. Please note in this photo of the underside of the lever that I leave a considerable gap between the two flaps. I do this so that guys can adjust them later, as the leather might loosen up a bit with use. While I did not run the thread through these for this quick pic, I had the same amount of gap when I did lace and tighten them on three different levers I tried them on.
If yours do not exhibit this gap after you tighten them on, please let me know! Thanks guys.

Scott

rootboy 

Thanks J. Oxley. I did burn through a considerable amount of leather before I perfected them. The nature of doing something never done before, I guess. It is a great learning experience. And lots of fun.

More Cowbell

Mine came in the post this morning. Got them mounted up. Fit perfectly. They are a great addition to a classic bike.

Sir_Name 

What did you use to wrap the inside ends of the bar covers? The color coordination with the hoods is quite pretty.

More Cowbell

Just some tan twine. The bars are covered with elkhide.

rootboy 

Looks great M-Cowbell. Seeing those mounted, it makes me want to experiment with dyeing these again.
They'll darken up nicely with use, however. And you can always put some Proofide or Snoseal on them.
Thanks again and hope they perform well for you. S.