I just bought an old dried out Brooks B-72 for $10. While the leather is dry and somewhat cracked, I believe it has restoration possibility. After one treatment with Proofide the leather already looks better. Surfice it to say, it will never look great but it might look appropriate on the '50s Hercules I found last month.
Here's the bigger challenge: One rivet is gone and a couple of others have popped out of the frame. I'm thinking of trying my hand at re-riveting the whole saddle. Interestingly the rivets in the B-72 are copper coated steel. The only replacement rivets I've found at Wall Bike are copper. Because there is some wear and stretching (but no tears) around a few holes, I'm thinking of using the big rivets that some of the Professionals come with. Has anyone had any experience re-riveting a Brooks or other appropriate saddle? Advice, guidance, and a reality check are always appreciated.
BTW, cudak888 has said he found large copper rivets at ACE, but my local store doesn't carry anything bigger than a 1/4 inch head. The rivets are $15 for 10 from Wall Bike. Know of any other sources?