Ideale Reborn!
#1
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Ideale Reborn!
Before
During
After
The saddle had some noticeable sag near the back edge. The previous owner had also applied a lot of reflector stickers that had kind of fused to the rails. I didn't think the saddle would be usable in its found condition, so I dissembled the rails and mounting hardware completely. Then I soaked the leather portion in a bucket of water for about 12 hours. Meanwhile, I polished all the alloy parts. After the leather had soaked, I gave it a pat dry and reassembled the saddle. I then stuffed a rag between the leather and the rails to help flatten the top of the saddle as it dried. I let it slowly dry on its own for several days and applied some proofide. The saddle has retained its stiffness, despite not yet having tightened the adjustment bolt. The saddle does have some minor cracks along the sides, but I'm happy with its current condition and to have given it a new life.
During
After
The saddle had some noticeable sag near the back edge. The previous owner had also applied a lot of reflector stickers that had kind of fused to the rails. I didn't think the saddle would be usable in its found condition, so I dissembled the rails and mounting hardware completely. Then I soaked the leather portion in a bucket of water for about 12 hours. Meanwhile, I polished all the alloy parts. After the leather had soaked, I gave it a pat dry and reassembled the saddle. I then stuffed a rag between the leather and the rails to help flatten the top of the saddle as it dried. I let it slowly dry on its own for several days and applied some proofide. The saddle has retained its stiffness, despite not yet having tightened the adjustment bolt. The saddle does have some minor cracks along the sides, but I'm happy with its current condition and to have given it a new life.
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
Last edited by gaucho777; 02-15-12 at 12:19 PM.
#2
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Interesting!
Do you have a profile picture, now that it's back on the bike? I'd be interested in seeing photos of its profile before and after your treatment, as well as what shape it takes when you ride it. I have reshaped saddles like this a couple times, but the re-shaped shape didn't last very long.
Do you have a profile picture, now that it's back on the bike? I'd be interested in seeing photos of its profile before and after your treatment, as well as what shape it takes when you ride it. I have reshaped saddles like this a couple times, but the re-shaped shape didn't last very long.
#3
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Is that a TB90? The rails and clamp look much nicer that what I remember seeing on equivalent Brooks. Great work! I hope it keeps on riding fine for many more years and miles!
Chombi
Chombi
#4
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Interesting!
Do you have a profile picture, now that it's back on the bike? I'd be interested in seeing photos of its profile before and after your treatment, as well as what shape it takes when you ride it. I have reshaped saddles like this a couple times, but the re-shaped shape didn't last very long.
Do you have a profile picture, now that it's back on the bike? I'd be interested in seeing photos of its profile before and after your treatment, as well as what shape it takes when you ride it. I have reshaped saddles like this a couple times, but the re-shaped shape didn't last very long.
Yes, I believe it is a TB90, though the embossed text on the side is no longer legible.
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
Last edited by gaucho777; 02-15-12 at 12:56 PM.
#5
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This really exemplifies what I love about C&V. The components and frames were built to last, and even after being abused have within them a "second life" waiting to be released by the thoughtful and saavy caretaker. And a public space to share and develop those techniques.
#6
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I was home for lunch and had a chance to take a better "after" profile shot. Not totally flat, as you can see. I might still get some of the dip out once I tighten the tension bolt, but still much improved from the "before" shot.
For a side-by-side comparison, I'll repost the before:
For a side-by-side comparison, I'll repost the before:
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
#7
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Rebour Jerky?
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you know... that now that that saddle looks sooo nice (and it does), that old ratty looking seatpost is going to have to go.
BTW, i think that soaking in water first off did a lot of good. i once destroyed a potentially nice old brooks because i brutalized it before it was ready . i should have soaked it like you did.
BTW, i think that soaking in water first off did a lot of good. i once destroyed a potentially nice old brooks because i brutalized it before it was ready . i should have soaked it like you did.
#9
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The Birmalux seat post is a whole other story. Not only is it very deeply gouged high up the shaft, but the previous owner hacked off the bottom--crudely, I might add--only a cm or so below the minimum insertion line. There's not much below what is shown so it's a wonder it didn't snap or cause problem to the seat cluster. Normally I would polish it up, but in this case I will likely need to secure a new post. (Of course, the exorbitant ebay seller pb*bikes has the market on replacement Birmalux seat posts cornered. )
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
Last edited by gaucho777; 02-15-12 at 05:18 PM.
#10
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The Birmalux seat post is a whole other story. Not only is it very deeply gouged high up the shaft, but the previous owner hacked off the bottom--crudely, I might ad--only a cm or so below the minimum insertion line. There's not much below what is shown so it's a wonder it didn't snap or cause problem to the seat cluster. Normally I would polish it up, but in this case I will likely need to secure a new post. (Of course, the exorbitant ebay seller pb*bikes has the market on replacement Birmalux seat posts covered. )
Chombi
#11
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^ Probably. I know almost nothing about these two-piece seat posts. Btw, is there a correct term for these posts with a post and separate clamp? I'll look into the Stronglight/Spidel. I suspect a Birmalux post is what originally came with the frame (this is the Ron Kit titanium in my sig), but I'm not necessarily wedded to it.
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
#12
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I've always referred to them as "straight posts" that require a separate clamp.
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#13
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^ Probably. I know almost nothing about these two-piece seat posts. Btw, is there a correct term for these posts with a post and separate clamp? I'll look into the Stronglight/Spidel. I suspect a Birmalux post is what originally came with the frame (this is the Ron Kit titanium in my sig), but I'm not necessarily wedded to it.
Chombi
#14
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Great work! Did you see the Ideale Mod 90 RHM did for me? Keep that in mind if the leather does not hold its shape.
Ideale Model 90 Re-Worked
Ideale Model 90 Re-Worked
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Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#15
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^Yes, Bob, I followed the "not-so-sad" thread about your Ideale closely. I was really impressed with Rudi's leather work, and your saddle was definitely on my mind as I worked on mine.
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'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.