I once wore a pair of corduroy pants on my leather saddle (it's an ideale, not a brooks) and by the end of the ride i had worn those funny little stripes into the leather. It took about a week of normal pants to get them out.

yeah I busted out a black team pro instead, looks the sex with the big copper rivets anyway, and eases my mind. feel free to use this thread to flame me further to death, or to discuss the benefits of freeballing. Personally I think it would hurt, jeans seams are tough, but then I think it's the horizontal seams in my undies that cause the most rubbing while riding, so maybe it would be an improvement..

I used permanent hair dye to turn 2 honey saddles into dark browns. The color is permanent and doesn't rub off even when wet.

My honey colored one darkened up over time. I actually use a beeswax based boot waterproofer/conditioner on my leather saddles which does darken it a bit. Other than that I think it is mostly from wear/sweat not the sun.

My new green B17 came in the mail today. I am elated.

apc rescues, 2 months no wash no soak

I just bought a black B17 today, and I am sooo excited. Is it a good idea to treat the leather at all before i start riding it hard?

proofide it
as per instructions
cover the bottom and leave it be (to protect from water)
put some on top and then polish it with a rag
do this ever 6 months or so (more esp. if you're riding in a wet climate)

that works the best in my experience.

break it in by riding - not by treatment.
the worst thing is over-doing the treatment or using the wrong stuff.

I also keep a liquor store black bag under the rails to use as a cover for rain as well as locking up - less conspicuous.

2 pairs of samurais, 2 soaks each, 8 months each. my honey saddle is still honey after around 25 miles/day every day. it's dark from the sun...but still honey. seems samurai's dont bleed too much. now, the crotch on both pairs of jeans got super thin but i had em patched. Skulls, however, I blew out in 3 months because of the vintage stitching.

this is probably better on sufu, you'll get way more "yea man, i just bought a __________ to get to class and i'm worried about ruining my new pair of _______ that i just got proxy'd from japan" responses, then yall can talk about it together. it happens every two months.

That's what they want you to think!

I ordered an Antique Brown B17N and generally wear blackish Cheap Mondays, but I don't think they'll be an issue.

IN THIS THREAD PANTS

I've loved all my Brooks saddles.

Specifically a liquor store bag? Can I use a plastic procery bag? Oh and I love my B17 very much.