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Honey, brown or black leather saddle for a "British Racing Green" frame?

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Honey, brown or black leather saddle for a "British Racing Green" frame?

Old 08-21-14, 09:54 PM
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Honey and matching bar tape.
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Old 08-21-14, 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Roger M
That looks more like a kit car than an 'old British sports car'.
I didn't want to be the first to say it, but those radials are really bugging me.

But more productively, I'll cast another vote for "Honey/brown if you'll change the bar tape [and perhaps tire sidewalls] to match, otherwise black."
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Old 08-21-14, 10:39 PM
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I like Honey , but really don't see the color when riding so either is fine.
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Old 08-21-14, 10:48 PM
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FWIW, my British Racing Green 1968 MGB-GT came stock with black leather seats, carpet and dash. Chrome bezels on the Smith analog instruments, classy.

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Old 08-22-14, 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Saguaro
FWIW, my British Racing Green 1968 MGB-GT came stock with black leather seats, carpet and dash. Chrome bezels on the Smith analog instruments, classy.

Very nice car.

Fwiw My 1972 Triumph TR6 was also British racing green. Sported very nice dark brown leather seats and carpeting. I really miss that car.
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Old 08-22-14, 08:11 AM
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I've wanted a TR6 for a long time. Some day...
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Old 08-22-14, 08:46 AM
  #32  
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with that bike, I'd go with black
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Old 08-22-14, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Saguaro
I've wanted a TR6 for a long time. Some day...
I've owned three.

The achilles heel for me was the Lucas mechanical injection system.

I was a bit over matched with that and the rear suspension issues were challenging as well.

Once we switched it out to the Weber DCO 40e carbs, those babies purred.

Back in the early eighties though, these cars were very easy to find at a good price

I always seemed to have a project car to have fun with at the time.

I'll get around to cars again after we get the boys through school.
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Old 08-22-14, 09:48 AM
  #34  
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Broooks used to make a BRG B-17.

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Old 08-22-14, 10:02 AM
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Oh honey!
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Old 08-22-14, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Roger M
That looks more like a kit car than an 'old British sports car'.
Because it's such a basic, old-school kind of rig: Morgan +4, I think.
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Old 08-22-14, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Roger M
That looks more like a kit car than an 'old British sports car'.
Doesn't really matter. It's about the colors.
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Old 08-22-14, 11:24 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by Roger M
That looks more like a kit car than an 'old British sports car'.
I see a few minor differences, but it looks like a Morgan 4/4 to me.

Morgan 4/4 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Old 08-22-14, 12:16 PM
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Thanks, all! Here's the vote tally:

Honey: 10
Brown: 6
Black: 5
Olive Green: 1
1972 Triumph TR6 Roadster: 2

Honey has the lead, but not by an overwhelming majority, it seems. Velognome mentioned that the honey stains over time, while others feel that it develops a nice patina. And many think the bar tape should match the saddle (I agree). I was leaning towards honey going into this, but several noted that honey might not be the best option with a black stem, post and bars. Since I realistically won't be switching those out for chrome bits anytime soon, that's something to consider... Hmmmm. I'm also getting the impression that many are steering me towards a Brooks as opposed to a less expensive leather saddle. So in summary, you guys have made my decision less clear and more expensive. Thanks?
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Old 08-22-14, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Montrose
I'm also getting the impression that many are steering me towards a Brooks as opposed to a less expensive leather saddle. So in summary, you guys have made my decision less clear and more expensive. Thanks?
Anytime!
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Old 08-22-14, 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Anytime!
That's what we do best.
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Old 08-22-14, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Montrose
In either case, I need to decide on the color - honey, brown or black.
Yes, brown or black. Now please stop calling me honey.
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Old 08-25-14, 11:28 AM
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Here's how my honey B17 developed patina over the 10 years I've had it:
New:

After about 6 months:

Recently (it's the one in back): The middle one is my "Natural" Gilles Berthoud Aravis when it was new. It developed a similar patina to the Brooks in the last year.

BTW, I wouldn't call the leather saddles "stained", and mostly wear black shorts, so wouldn't know if they are discolored from the saddle.

I had a gray B17 about 14 years ago, and I was very disappointed that the gray rather quickly came off (peeled, actually) revealing black underneath. It seems like the new colored Brooks don't have that problem. FWIW, a Brooks saddle of any color will probably outlast a TR6 roadster, but I'm not sure about the Morgan.
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Old 08-25-14, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Dfrost
Here's how my honey B17 developed patina over the 10 years I've had it:
New:

Recently (it's the one in back): The middle one is my "Natural" Gilles Berthoud Aravis when it was new. It developed a similar patina to the Brooks in the last year.
Looks like it also developed a nasty split down the middle.
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Old 08-25-14, 05:52 PM
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I don't wish to offend, but your bike should reflect your taste, not ours. I think you should man up and make your own decisions.
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Old 08-25-14, 06:49 PM
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I like Brooks B17 - they fit me right out of the box. So...a black saddle will look more "cool" tone on your bike. Honey or Brown will "warm up" the green of your paint. Is there a place in town where you could take your bike & put the various colors next to it then stand back?
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Old 08-25-14, 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Dfrost
Here's how my honey B17 developed patina over the 10 years I've had it:
That's some beautiful aging, Dfrost!

Originally Posted by Grand Bois
I don't wish to offend, but your bike should reflect your taste, not ours. I think you should man up and make your own decisions.
Noted - thanks. I'm not offended, although every woman may be.

Originally Posted by Velocivixen
I like Brooks B17 - they fit me right out of the box. So...a black saddle will look more "cool" tone on your bike. Honey or Brown will "warm up" the green of your paint. Is there a place in town where you could take your bike & put the various colors next to it then stand back?
Great idea. I'm sure one of the local shops has a selection of brooks saddles I can check out. Thanks!
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Old 10-25-14, 10:35 AM
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That's a nice bike! I just got a Fuji Royale II recently, I'm gonna use yours as inspiration! did you use tube clamps on the seat stays for the rack ?
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Old 10-25-14, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by ofgit
Broooks used to make a BRG B-17.

They did, and I have one on my purple Gitane.
Sure wish they would have made a Pro in that color.
I like it.
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Old 10-25-14, 02:10 PM
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Keep a Pair of nitrile gloves in your patch kit so you never get any chain crud on your hands ,
then you can Use Bar tape that is lighter than the Black that will get on Them

& choose a lighter saddle .

1970's & before The Italian Buyout-Takeover, I don't think Brooks made more than the Black-Dark-brown dyed saddle ..

and traditionally Bike Shorts were always Black Too.. a matched pair.


My BRG Brompton has A Black(Fizik) Saddle & Black Ergon Grips.

Last edited by fietsbob; 10-25-14 at 02:13 PM.
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