Originally Posted by Big Paulie
ILTB: In that time, how have the springs held up? Did they get much softer?
The springs eventually broke after about 20 years of use, about 5000 miles/year. I am about 200 lbs. Luckily not at the same time. Also luckily I was living near an excellent LBS (Heidel in downtown Heidelberg) who order a pair after the first broke for DM10 (about $5). Picked up the pair the next day. Believe it or not, the two springs are not the same, being right and left twist. Easy install , one nut, just replace broken spring with new one. Saved the other new spring for if-when the second spring broke which happened about two years later.
When a B66 spring breaks the saddle is still useble but will tilt slightly to one side. Won't leave you stuck anywhwere but should definitly be replaced as soon as possible.
I never noted any difference in Spring tension over time, perhaps a bit of less tension from the leather.
Also Brooks related, I had to replace rivets on my B72 after about 10 years of hard use. Cheap non-Brooks pop rivets work well.