my attempt


previously mentioned here

I used a home made form. Step by step here so it takes longer for a one off.

FWIW on the Boston CL there is someone doing this as a business. Look pretty good.

Do NOT do this. Brooks is a business that is alive and well. They will NOT look kindly on your use of their trademark. I guarantee that.

very cool and nice workmanship

did you copy the pattern from the old saddle?

Yeah, totally cool. I've been wanting to do this, but haven't yet found a source for the leather. One of the many disadvantages of living in the sub-sub-suburbs.

Seriously awesome work man. You've inspired me now. Great thread.

Truly inspiring post. I have an old B72 as well as a French saddle that could use new coverings. I assume you used the old leather for a pattern.
Was it difficult to remove from the frame and flatten it?

+1 Although one could argue that this is no different than VeloCals doing graphics...in that case you're restoring a bike, in this case you'd be restoring a saddle? I dunno. I wouldn't do it.

I third this emphatically. While a business such as VeloCals walks a fine line. Many of the images they reproduce are from firms no longer in business, or not interested in keeping up trademark protection from an early graphic, or even not interested in offering that sort of support for their earlier products.

Brooks, however, has refurbished their own saddles in the past, might be willing to do so in the near future, and in any case owns and uses the same trademark they have been identified with for a century. I'd be very careful about using their logo or trademarked material. It's not worth losing one's house over.




Their lawyers are as hungry as those anywhere else....

Besides which, as a fine instrument maker, I'd be *mighty cheesed* if someone used my logo and identity to represent their work.

Corey K

i disagree. it might be tacky and not as cool as coming up with your own logo, but it is not like he is selling these to anyone as brooks. i dont think he's going to be opening a factory in china anytime soon.

it is completely like replication decals. there is a bike that six jours made that he added "herse" decals too. big deal. hes not opening a business selling rene herses.

To answer two questions. I drilled out the old rivets from the bottom, then soaked the old leather in water to soften it, it was very old and stiff, placed it under a weight to flatten and let it dry. Then used it as a pattern, marking the rivets holes and outline.

a77impala, I neglected in my above post to complement you on your handiwork. The shaping of the leather was very nicely done, and the rivet work is very clean and even.

Nonetheless, it is illegal as 7734, and just as unethical. If it didn't come from Brooks (or manufacturer "x," as the case may be), it is a counterfeit. "It's only slightly unethical" isn't any sort of justification.

Restoring the decal on a frame which was actually made by "x" is one thing. Marking a piece of leather which didn't come from Brooks with the Brooks logo is completely different.

good discussion. sorry to TC to the OP, but this is not illegal. it is his, and he can do whatever he wants with it. if he wants to put a ford badge on his chevy, he has every right to do so.

Whether it's good practice or not, unless he's wanting to sell it, there isn't any legal problems with recreating the Brooks logo. Were it mine though, I'd probably just go with my own personal logo, just for cool-factor.

homage to
RENE HERSE
frame by someone, paint and decals by me



BROOKS PROFESSIONAL
renovated by me