It does look like it's already been ridden (and very well taken care of) for about 30 years. From the pics I've seen in these forums, Rudi's saddles all seem to come that way.

RHM Saddlery: With InstantPatina® :)

Doh! Autocorrect wins again ( I meant to type "wide").

Yes, but frankly for that you want thinner leather. Search around for photos of my Alvin Drysdale bike, I stitched leather to the handlebars of that... It is a lot of work.

I kinda doubt that :lol:

maybe, but I don't know how.

No animals were harmed in the making of this Post.

High quality roadkill, for sure - who'd have thought a bicycle could win that contest?

Amazing saddle reconstruction Rudi.

So what is the the brand. Looks like an "R" of some sort.

Dunno. Could be an "R" of some sort, but if you flip it the other way it could be an "e" with horns, a "y e" ligature, or... uh... dunno.

I tried IDing it - not much luck so far. I found an Internet guide to reading brands, but wasn't able to find a ranch matching how I read it.

I've been in the gym daily since the aforementioned cage match, and invested in some dust-repellent contact lenses to boot. Next time around it's going to be a whole 'nother story, Snake :)

Aaron: Nice score! That really came out looking great - love the details and the built-in patina. Can we get a good shot of the RHM logo on the sides?

Rudi: Pure magic. You've really found your calling :)

DD

Lex Luger killed Elizabeth. I bet he had a hand in the Macho Man's death as well.

Bump 'cuz I'd like to see what this saddle looks like, a year on. Paging [MENTION=129154]KonAaron Snake[/MENTION]...

+1... What happened to updating it every month or so? :innocent:

That was overly ambitious!

I'll try to oblige you Rudi. It's been rain saturated a few times, but it still looks pretty good!

That 'R' stands for another 're-branded' :lol: by Rudi

Anyhow, just yesterday got caught in a little wet. I normally stuff a baggy under the saddle always ready for the rain, but for whatever reason it was gone. Number 44 has performed with excellence. This is the saddle with the recessed center (unable to see in this pic). Looking forward to heading back north and set-up RHM number 14!


I haven't done any Proofide or other coating. Doesn't seem to be any softer than when first ridden but for looks, its taking on a nice darkening tone.


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=415053

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskn8oawtq.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psv5k27ili.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psph45kxy4.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspgs0puuo.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscweyycvh.jpg

Thanks! :thumb: As predicted, the leather gradually darkens.

This one looked chalky after a particularly bad rain ride. Gradually colors closer to original returned - it took a few months. The second real rain logging didn't affect it as much, but it also wasn't nearly as bad a soaking.

The important thing, I think, is if you ride it when it's soaking wet you will permanently change its shape. If you want to do that, that's fine; if you don't want to change the shape, don't ride it wet. An occasional soaking isn't going to do any harm, but repeated soakings will hasten the aging process.

The chalky look that you mention is, I suspect, something like the white ring a wet glass will leave on a waxed tabletop. The water seems to bond with the wax, temporarily -- I can't explain the chemistry of that, though. That would make sense if I waxed the saddle top... but frankly I don't remember if I did.

The shape did change a little...not that badly. You can see it in the center if you compare photos. If anything it conforms a bit better now.