My orange Raleigh - update
 

Went on my first ride today. Special thanks to C & V member viscount, who kindly sent me the chainring cover I couldn't find anywhere. I made the seat cover and tool bag.


http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...h-Flite008.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...h-Flite004.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...h-Flite005.jpg

That is sweet.

You made the leather seat cover and saddle bag! fantastic job.

WOW ! Love that bike !

So, do I just order it(tool bag) now through this thread?

Nice bike. That's a sharp looking tool bag too. Is the seat cover in the picture? If not - seeing what a nice job you did with the tool bag - I'd like to see it.

Thanks all!
By "seat cover" I meant the leather saddle top - perhaps that's more correct. It was my first one, and looking at it I think it should've been a little less triangular, but it's still comfortable.
I do leathercraft as a hobby, don't take orders for others at this moment, but if that changes I'll let you know.

Did you make the bag from a pattern? I wouldn't mind trying one for myself if there were some instructions to follow.

No pattern, I took the dimensions from this:

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?id=1632

It's very simple, just a rectangular center piece, two small rectangles with rounded corners for the sides and 3 straps. I didn't follow the Brooks placing of the straps inside the bag, though.

Cool. Do you hand sew?

Nice ride.

How did you do the rivets to attach the leather to the seat frame? For that matter where did you get leather thick enough to redo a seat with? It is a good job.

Yes I do.

These are old copper hollow rivets I found at an auto clutch shop. They used them to fasten clutch and brake linings to plates/shoes, but I think they bond them now. The leather is about 4 mm thick, and is the kind used for shoe soles. I soaked it in water for about 1 hr and then hand molded it over the metal saddle base. If I'd planned to do more saddles, probably I'd make a wooden mold.

Beautiful job. Might I ask how you were able to straighten the steerer tube?

-Kurt

My LBS has a steerer tube clamp. It's like a hefty cube with a hole, split in half to hold the steerer in a bench vice. With a pipe for a lever (with the threaded race on to avoid deforming the steerer) I could straighten it. There were no visible cracks, but I put a short piece of pipe into the bottom of the steerer just in case.

WOW that is all just so impressive... from the seat and bag to the straightening... just impressive... great job... and that saddle.... puts brooks to shame. :)

That is a very nice machine you got there:thumb:
And to do the saddle and bag yourself, well, that's what I call resourceful.
Well done sir!

I would just like to echo everyone's sentiments: That bike just oozes with character. Good job!