I didn't get any replies on the fitting forum, so I'll post here. Sorry for redundancy.

First, the facts. Been riding the same sports-touring 4130 tradition frame for 39 years. Got my first Brooks 2,000 miles ago. It's the B-17 Imperial (cutout) mounted on a Flyer sprung frame (custom mount done by a Brooks certified shop) Traditional drop bars about 3.5 inches higher than sit-bone contact point on saddle (to ease by aging shoulders and neck). Stem length set to my liking.

I have been riding it these 2,000 miles with about a 2 or 3 degree upward tilt when measure from tip of saddle to back of saddle down the dead center. On rides of 50 miles and longer, and in particular on multi-day tours of 65 to 85 miles/day over 6 days or so, I get pretty raw chafing on my sit bone area. Just a little outward from my sit bones. I broke the saddle in carefully using Proofhide applied sparingly, according to Brooks suggestions. I slightly retention the saddle after it broke in and began to sag a wee bit, and the skirt is laced properly.

A few days ago, the setback seatpost (that Kalloy Uno model that seems to offer the most setback available) loosened a bit and the seat post adjustment teeth allowed the clamp to shift so that the nose rose. I immediately felt considerably more comfortable. However, when I got off and looked at it, the upward tilt of the nose concerned me, since that is not seen so much on the typical bikes and saddles of today compared to when I was a kid and lots of people rode traditional leather saddle brands. I adjusted it back to the 2 or 3 degree tilt that it had before, and I felt less comfortable but thought I was doing the right thing. I should note, too, that when adjusted with just 2 or 3 degrees upward tilt, I have more hand pressure than I want, and less hand pressure when the nose is tilted higher.

I now have adjusted it temporarily to where it seems to feel very comfortable, and it is at a 7 degree nose-up tilt, carefully measured. I understand that the back of the saddle where the sit bones touch falls on a slightly ramped-down section of the saddle, so the effective tilt of that section is not 7 degrees upward, but probably closer to level where my bones contact.

7 degrees looks pretty heavily tilted. I have not yet ridden longer miles at the 7 degree tilt, fearing for my secret parts. At age 52 I do not dare damage my secret parts due to nerve/tissue pressure that might result from this 7 degree upward tilt. But I don't really feel pressure there on shorter rides.

Long build up to question: for my sports-touring traditional frame geometry with bars 3.5 inches higher than the sit-bone contact point of the saddle, does a 7 degree upward tilt seem extreme? I ride in the drops only for short times on long-day rides when I need some variation in hand position or when going faster downhill. I am mostly on the hoods (integrated shifters) and sometimes the tops. Has anybody created any sort of rule of thumb acceptable range displayed according to other variables of fit?

Back to the chafing. Yes, I have tried numerous brands of chamois cream and bag balm, applied either before and during rides, or after chafing manifests, and have found no magic there. I have found, though, that zinc oxide cream is a wonderful soother after chafing happens. After a long sweaty 80 mile day in the saddle, if I apply it overnight with big bandages over the area to keep the cream moist and in place, I am significantly better by morning, although another long hot 80 mile day the next day causes trouble again. I like zinc oxide cream, but hope that trying this higher upward tilt might prevent chafing.

Brooks saddles often require some upward tilt and although 7° is more than typical, if that's what works for you, who are we to argue?

Quit worrying about how it looks. Just ride it, and that will tell you if you have anything to worry about.

If you go to the late Sheldon Brown's website, you'll see some interesting angles on the Brooks saddles he had on his bikes. All my own Brooks saddles (I think I have six or seven of them) look excessively tilted upward depending on the angle at which you look.

The fact that your handlebars are the height they are above the seat itself, plus the fact you seem to have found the comfort sweet spot suggests to me that you should now leave it alone and enjoy your riding!

Yep. The sit bone area needs to be flat. The rest of the saddle doesn't matter.

Re the crotch chafing, a look at the contents of most creams shows they are mostly water, you have more than enough water
in the crotch from sweat so using a topical that is mostly vaseline is a prudent move. Like sunscreen, the key is very liberal
application, with on bike replenishment a good idea.

That's what I think too. Set your saddle tilt wherever it feels good and ride. If you later decide for any reason that you don't like it, you can change it back.

Such experimentation is much better than reading a book or manual because the process teaches you what the various adjustments do to you. Even the bad adjustments are beneficial because you are learning through the process.

I can't quite picture how somebody would do this--please elaborate.

If it's comfortable, it's comfortable. Go with it.

I guess while riding you stand up and pull your pants down and start applying lotion.
You young guys and your creams... can't you wait until you get home to do that?