Big Block

How to deal with a Brooks saddle that has gone out of shape.
This is the story of an Ideale, but the principles are the same.
Last week I acquired one such saddle.










all that needs to be done is to detension the tension bolt and place the saddle into room temperature water.



and leave for an hour.

The vegetable-tanned leather will become more malleable with the soaking.

Then you pack it to push the leather back into the desired shape. I used bubble wrap wedged between the leather and the saddle frame.



If the side skirts are spread too wide, gently containing them as the leather dries is required. No force is needed, an old toe strap is traditional.

Big Block

after leaving overnight, the packing can be removed and the air-drying continues.




the saddle will need a few days to dry out fully.
Then re-tension the tension bolt, apply Proofide and it is ready.

But not this one. I will drill out the rivets and put a new leather top on it. I only bought it for the frame.

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Of course, you will need to assess as to whether the leather will not only have the form after the treatment but also to serve the function as a saddle.
Once the leather has dried out from years of lack of leather treatment, the fibres are weakened or sheared and no regular treatment will restore the fibres.

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and for when the saddle has met with some road/brick wall rash

a retired B17 saddle top


treated to some simulated road rash with 40 grit sandpaper


and then to minimise the damage.
a dab of Gum Tragacanth and some rubbing with a bone folder. This slicks/burnishes the fibres, and then followed by a dressing of Proofide.