Motorcycles and Biker Gear
Not all saddlebags are on horses! Bikers like quality gear they can depend on, and making and maintaining hard used leather is a challenge to any leatherworker. Show off your work! Teach the world how leatherworkers make bikes beautiful.
1,841 topics in this forum
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I have not attempted one of these step by step posts for quite a while. I've been getting some requests that I make a more complete post like this. Please come back daily to see how its coming. This seat is going on the premier build from a new bike shop here in Cincinnati. Some of you may recognize the name.... Hopefully it will make a magazine or two. There is a time deadline on this one, So here we go. Today, the artwork, and transfering it to leather. Many leather workers use that plastic film to trace their pattern on the leather. Since I usually only make a seat one time, I use plain old paper to trace to the leather.... so secrets here. Hope you all enj…
Last reply by FrenchMich, -
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ok guys here you go. i would have liked to have taken a few more pics but, needed someone taking them while i worked so here you go start to finish. this is one of the more dificult shape seats i cover. this is the start of the foam padding. this seat had 7 layers of foam if i remember right. it also has a polymer insert in it. also.. i shape all my seats by hand. i don't like using power tools as they can remove material too quickly after the foam was done i made a template for the top of the seat. then the top was cut and the holes were punched and it's ready for tooling after tooling i cut a piece for the side. cut out the center and layout the holes. y…
Last reply by Roger, -
Hey all, I mentioned a few posts ago that I had an order for another Jesus seat. Well, after some discussion, I reached an understanding with the customer that I would design an all new Jesus seat for him. My previous Jesus seat was actually the tattoo on the owner of Sucker Punch Sallys. I didn't want to just reproduce his tattoo even tho that is what the new customer wanted. So, here goes. Today I cut front and rear seat leathers and transfered my new design to the leather. I cut the entire design and began tooling.... It is near 11pm as I post this so I am about done for the day.
Last reply by bikermutt07, -
I started a small bag today for the rear left side. Very simple and I wrote down all the measurements in mm and cm. I did cut down the 9.5cm width to 8.6cm/86mm to account for the thickness of the leather. He only wanted it no more than 10cm, so it is just under that width. But do it how you like, and if you want it for the right side, just make it the opposite, this will attach where the chain cover bolts are. VERY SIMPLE DESIGN! Cheers, C
Last reply by steveleather, -
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When I made the last little bike bag, I took pictures as I was doing it to share with another leathercraftsman. Maybe someone could use some of the info. First, this method works for any size or shape of saddlebag, whether its a slant, straight, big bagger style or the little single bobber bag I just did. You can either make the seams lap, like this one, or invert the seams by sewing the bag inside out and then turning it. The only thing with inverted seams is that turning them rightside out is a real muscle job and you need to soak the bag until it's soft. This is the first saddlebag I've made with undyed leather. I've always used latigo, bridle or harness leather a…
Last reply by Madhatterxlch, -
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...... customer supplied pan.........edging to help smooth out .............................................the rough edges edging....................................roughed out foam. ..........................................this one took forever due ............................................to the crazy contours. ......... foamwork done. I use the.........for pattern making, i use cheapo spraytac to hold...........whatever is on sale that pattern material in place...............will work ........... i've used other methods,..........i reapply to mark next piece but have found this is the most accurate way to get the odd shapes. .......... its b…
Last reply by Jimbob, -
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- 19 replies
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Last reply by JSage, -
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I’m a complete beginner who’s just about to start the journey into leathercraft. I have a few questions about tools and my first project. Please excuse any misuse of terminology—I’m still learning and doing my best to explain what I mean. Tools From what I’ve learned so far, to start I’ll need the following: a burnisher, edge beveler, wing divider, metal ruler, self-healing mat, stitching chisels, rubber mallet, stitching needles, scratch awl, and craft knife. Is this a good basic setup or am I missing something important? Project My first project will be a motorcycle seat cover made from sheepskin hide. I know this might be too ambitious for a beginner, but…
Last reply by MarloK, -
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- 3 replies
- 434 views
Just a few Indian Chum-Me seats I've done in the past, New foam, new leather with custom leather fringed skirt. Main seat uphostery was hand stitched. Skirts are machine stitched. I believe this was a Harley Buddy seat. Its been a few years. LOL
Last reply by Samalan, -
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- 620 views
I am helping my grandson build his Harley long-nose seat. At this point, he will be stitching by hand, two layers of veg-tanned leather with pre-drilled holes. I'm ready to order the thread. I'm thinking waxed four-ply linen .8 to 1mm? But I'm not finding it where I can get it sooner than next year. And not sure if that thread is the best in this situation. Any thoughts?
Last reply by Mulesaw,
