My Tooled Motorcycle Project....

[LAROC]

Hi I'm Phil and I'm new to this site as I've only been tooling in leather for the last four weeks.

I always wanted a hand tooled leather seat for my harley plus some other stuff so I decided to have a go at doing as much as possible myself.

The project consists of a solo seat base, removable pillion, dash panel, small rear fender bag and a larger roll bag to sit on my headlamps attached to risers/upper tree. Everything will be laced with black kangaroo lace. I have used 7/8 oz veg tanned tooling leather for everything. The bag sides which will be laced-on are 6/7oz.

I intend to get a proffesional to do all the lacing as I have no idea about this area although would like to try this in the future once my project is done. I intend to airbrush a fading medium to tan stain on everything myself to finish. I have made all the straps myself and will use brass screw rivetts and buckles to finish.

This project is far removed from what I do as a living, the large Roll bag gives you an idea and I'm really pleased with how it's all working out. I wish I could complete thing myself but I really want it to look professional once completed.

Anyway see what you think yourselves here are some pics of the tooled work so far.

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[rhall]

That work looks very professional...There are some very good books on Lacing that would get you headed in the right direction.It would be a shame to allow someone else to finish that project and You would get so much satisfaction from the lacing,it's really not hard!.Do a small project for practice , then think about it!Good Luck

[LAROC]

That work looks very professional...There are some very good books on Lacing that would get you headed in the right direction.It would be a shame to allow someone else to finish that project and You would get so much satisfaction from the lacing,it's really not hard!.Do a small project for practice , then think about it!Good Luck

Thanks for the good advice Rhall. It's a confidence thing at present as this is all new to me.

I will definitely try a small piece of lacing soon.

I'm studying other peoples work to see how others do there projects and I've seen some stunning examples of work on this site.

[azrider]

The first thing I ever tried to lace is the seat on my bike. I have over 2000 miles on it now, and quite a few other leather projects under my belt. I can see some issues when I look at my seat, and a few other leather people can, but all I get are compliments from other riders and shops. Tandy has a book for like $7 on lacing. I practiced on two pieces of scrap for about five minutes, and then started doing my seat, so it really is pretty fast to pick up. If you have the talent to do that tooling, you should be able to do the lacing too.

[LAROC]

The first thing I ever tried to lace is the seat on my bike. I have over 2000 miles on it now, and quite a few other leather projects under my belt. I can see some issues when I look at my seat, and a few other leather people can, but all I get are compliments from other riders and shops. Tandy has a book for like $7 on lacing. I practiced on two pieces of scrap for about five minutes, and then started doing my seat, so it really is pretty fast to pick up. If you have the talent to do that tooling, you should be able to do the lacing too.

Thxs AZRIDER.

Having looked at the excelent post by Roger showing in pics 'how to do a seat' I've decided to go the whole way and have made the templates for punching the holes already. I'll make card templates to check fitment first.

I don't know what the style of lacing is called but I'm going to try and do the 'X' style he shows in the tutorial.

I just need to know if there is a prefered place to start and the best way to tie ends once laced. Presumably it's best to thread with a needle for precision.

Feeling pretty excited that I've decided to take the leap of faith on this project.

I appreciate the encouragement.

[pete]

only tooling for 4 weeks????????

hmmmmmmmmmmm..........

care to come clean? what is your previous line of work/talent?

[rhall]

I was hoping You would come around!It's really not hard and if you mess up you can back up evan!I have always been pleased that folks on here are so supportive!Post when you are done,so we can see your progress!

[LAROC]

only tooling for 4 weeks????????

hmmmmmmmmmmm..........

care to come clean? what is your previous line of work/talent?

Hi Pete, I was in Graphics and Illustration for approx. 20 years, had a mid life crisis and became a cop.

I'm currently recupperating having had a foot operation following a nasty work incident. Been on crutches almost three months with two 2"inch screws in my foot, so I spent time designing my project and literally have dived straight into it. I'm hooked.

I am also handy with an airbrush and still draw, mainly motorcycles for pleasure.

Feel free to check out my illustrations, they are done for fun nothing else, I love bikes.

http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii203/b...0and%20Artwork/

So yes four weeks tooling with no previous experience is true!

I know what I like.

I wanted hand tooled stuff for my bike for ages but it is costly in the Uk to have it made, another factor for me doing the work myself.

[McJeep]

Very cool Phil - heckuva job!

[scottishshoemaker]

THAt's amazing work!! Tooling for 4 weeks my god am I ever going to get that good.

[LAROC]

THAt's amazing work!! Tooling for 4 weeks my god am I ever going to get that good.

Thanks for the compliments.

I've figured out how to do the lacing X-Braid and have made the sides for the bags.

Ordered my kangaroo lace and everything is hole punched now.

It will be a month before I can buy the final materials to finish everything and once finished I'll post pics.

I've love looking at the variety of work on this site.

There are some amazingly talented people and looking at the work gives help and confidence to do this project myself.

Thanks