This hobby is not all glitz and parties, there are the sometimes uncomfortable darker side that we need to deal with as we get deeper into maintenance and restoration.

I will admit that looking at bare necked seat foam could be traumatizing for the uninitiated. Fortunately, we have several members that can turn these disgusting, flabby foam shapes and dress them up and make them look great.

I suppose I need to add the 'Gatorcet to this gallery of masterpieces.

It had a few more scrapes and rips on the other side. I did remove the original cover.

The side stiching is unoticable. Nonetheless, it is one of the most uncomfortable saddles I've ever ridden. I gave it 100 miles before removing.

I'm still using the matching saddle bag with the now mounted and very comfortable Brooks Pro.

If interested in this masterpiece for your own riding pleasure (sic), PM me for trading details.

wow, Bob. That is some very nice work. My daughter loves her Avocet saddle but it doesn’t have the flair that the gator saddle has. You have become quite good at leather work my friend. Joe

‘the bag is where the skill is showing in my book. Tight curves on either side of a zipper are tricky, the inside and outside radius have to be “clocked” spot on.
‘otherwise it is a mess. The construction has to be planned to not sew oneself into a corner that cannot be sewn with a machine.
zippers and findings are around but in small qty, not cheap.
‘I have a snap setting machine that is foot operated, allows two hands to place the snap, bravo to those who have to use other means.

I believe I was just lucky with the zipper and the radii. My original plan was to have the opening smooth without the protruding lip. I just kept forcing the zipper to work with the leather I cut and was happy with the end result even though it was not what I originally imagined.

BTW, all my work is hand stitched and the snaps are set with anvil, punch, and hammer.

If you didn't notice the bars are covered in the same faux alligator cowhide. My Schwinn Voyageur II really makes a statement.

Thank you for the compliment.

Show her the saddle and if she's interested, I'll send it your way. She might need a matching saddle bag as well.

what, not taming a serpent?

I'm sorry, but I'm not following your thought process on "...taming a serpent?" The zipper? The faux alligator hide? Not using a sewing machine?

obviously forgetting the fundamentalists elsewhere in you world pre retirement.

of course, one could go way back to Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s time too.