rookgirl

I'm planning on making some DIY skirt guards for my Raleigh Superbe and was after some opinions on colour.

Here's my Superbe as it looks today:


BUT I will be changing out the tires for Cream Delta Cruisers, putting shellaced cork grips and a honey coloured Brooks on it.

I plan on doing the 'solid' type of skirt guard (rather than the crocheted or elastic type) and was thinking I would use canvas with brass grommets/eyelets and honey coloured leather straps.

Do you think black or green would look the best, bearing in mind that all the black that's currently on the thing will be gone?

I'm converting this small wristlet (purse) into a saddlebag so that's not really a factor either:


Thanks. Is it sad that I am so obsessed about the details on my bike?

sailorbenjamin

Honey colored oil skin.
A bike like that doesn't leave you many details to obsess about. Enjoy the ones you get.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

not at all sad. Rather its the details that many of us really love

For dark colored bike I personally think Tan is the way to go. Here's a set of Panniers I made for a darkish colored bike. I think Tan and Dark Green are a match made in heaven. Its my favorite color combo.

Beach Comber

Thats a nice SB! Has such a nice rear. Why hide it?

rookgirl

because I need a functional skirtguard. Do you think a less obvious one would look better?

I hadn't thought of tan...if I do canvas it might be the way to go, but what colour leather accents? Woulnd't honey be a bit strange?

rookgirl

Loving those panniers. Do you have pics of them rolled down? I'm glad I'm not the only freak who thinks baout this sort of thing!

AZORCH

COMPLETELY agree, ZB!

rookgirl

Zaphod - I saw your post with the pics of the panniers and saddle bag. Nice work! Do you hand cut your leather straps or do you order them pre-cut? Apologies if you don't want to divulge your trade secrets!

Beach Comber

LOL - yea, I guess I deserved that.

I do not believe I've actually ever seen one.

Italuminium

Mkst bikes here have a skirt guard or, if you were born with twigs and berries in your knickers, coat guard so you can ride your bike in a full trench/greatcoat. Which i do, in winter.

rookgirl

Maybe because it's mainly guys here on C&V and most of them don't regularly wear skirts, LOL.

Actually I've only seen a few IRL and those have all been on Electra Amsterdams (which seem to be the only Dutch-ish bikes in this town). They seem to be made of metal or plastic.

rookgirl

LOL @ twigs and berries.

rootboy 

Don't want to get personal but, what is a skirt guard? Sorry, but never heard of it.

And golly your bike looks brand new.

20grit

You should probably steal Zaphod's color scheme on his roll up panniers sans the black piping on the edges. Go with his leather and canvas color. The oilskin suggestion is pretty valid as well (if you can handle the smell).

I'm not sold on the idea of the cream delta cruisers... which only means one thing. You now have to post pictures once they on it .

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

trade secrets

I buy my leather straps pre-cut. I use 1/2" Latigo. Latigo is oil treated so its more durable in weather and more resistant to rot. I've ordered from most of the big manufacturers and so far I like Springfield Leather the best. Also their website is hilarious.

I've thought about ordering a whole hide and a strap cutter, but a whole hide of Latigo is damn expensive and I can buy a mile of pre-cut strap for less. I'm sure guys who know what they're doing better than I do could tell us both how to do it better.

I get a lot of good advice from the forum at leatherworker.net

due ruote 

Have you thought about Sunbrella fabric? It's what lots of patio umbrellas and awnings are made from. It's very durable, color fast and made to stand up to lots of foul weather.

rookgirl

thanks for all the input...now I have to wait for the Delta Cruisers to come and and then put them on, which I'm not looking forward to.

sailorbenjamin

the partial covers on the rear wheels, they keep your kilt out of the spokes;

sailorbenjamin

Or just have Zaph make you a set.
I've never really taken to white tires and fenders together.

sailorbenjamin

We used to upholster boats with that stuff. Looked traditional, lasted great.