Jimbob

I have a lots of request for gelpads in my seats......anybody ever done a biker seat with gelpads....how deep do you sing the pad in the foam?? How big has the pad to be.....what finishing layer of foam on top do you recomend?? Any additional info would be helpful....thanks for any info on this topic!!

great tooling, love the detail and design...nice color....but your edges need to be darkened or cleaned up some more....maybe a light brown, then polish and burnish.....its all in the detail!! Greetings keep it up!!! Jimbob

Hallo Julia Gruesse aus Virginia......toll das man hier so viele internationale Leder werker findet. Meine Tochter heisst auch Julia, ist aber in den USA geboren....wir sind aus dem Schwabenland und schon lange in Virginia.... Alles Gute nach Malaysia aus Virginia..... Nun mal ran an den Speck und feste losgenaeht, mal sehen was es alls von dir zu sehen gibt.....die tolle Kultur in Malaysia wird dich sicher in deiner Lederarbeit beinflussen>>>?! Gruss James

Welcome Nomad Greetings from the heart of the Appalachian mountains in SW VA..... Glad you joined the leather gang here on this site....there are tons of info on bike seats, belts and general biker stuff.....and much more. I have been into leather for years as a hobby, but since I joined this forum I am learning quick!! Make some leather items and show them off, you will get help, critique and some real friendly advise....everybody here is here for one reason...to be with leather worker fellows!! Greetings keep it coming Jimbob

Wiz, I did not know about glazed linen....intersting info here.....sure is good to know that there are options.....on the second reply....I wonder if a Nylon thread is more stretchy....would that not be better not to put strain on your working parts....more flexibility?? But again, thanks for the good info....I keep my ears open for more on here... Thanks James

I go with Wiz.....I would never buy a clone.....they just not made that good, a Adler is well....a German quality product....there are Adlers around 50 years old and just work like a charm.....I don't think we will see any of these clones in fifty years! Parts are more expensive, but they last much longer......if you find a used one for good money buy. it..by all means....try to sell a 5 year old clone and see what you get out of it....almost none! Be aware, there are newer Adlers, made now in former Chechoslovakia.... And when you sew on an German Adler you need a room temperature dark beer beside you!!!.....on a clone that would be rice wine.......jukkkk...*** Greetings Jimbob

Hi there....... Me was wondering, since there is Nylon and Poly thread......if a man has to change any adjustments on any given industrial machine to use either Nylon or Poly thread in the same size,,,,I am aware that Poly thread is more for outdoors and Nylon is more flexible, but I wonder how different they behave in a sewing machine...... Seems like most leather guys use bonded Nylon in there work.....any thoughts on that?? Just put an order for thread in at thread-exchange in Weaverville, NC.....lots of thread info on there website but no info how machines need to be adjusted?? I would like to try some Poly thread.....just wondering if anybody has had any experience with that. Greetings Jimbob

Hello there... You can do several things...get used to the pedal....work the clutch.....that takes some training, but after a while u get the hang of it and get slower....Or you can get a speed reducer, a bracket with different size pulleys to reduce motor speed, as last post mentioned.....then there is a much smaller pulley on the clutch motor itself....that helps some....just reduce the pulley to the smallest possible. The cream of the cream is a DC servo motor......that baby slows it down BIG time....mounts easy just as your old motor.....there are differnt ones out there....watch the available watts and see if you want build in set of gears to really reduce speed and gain stitching power....that's what I have, a DC servo motor on my Adler 105-64...works like a dream!!!! I can start a stitch cycle....go and make me a sandwitch and be back before the cycle is finished You can go from extreme slow to race the beast.....especially as a beginner which meself it still is, haha.... Call different people and also call Bob Kovar from Toledo sewing machines in OH....that's where I got mine from, you love that one!!! Need pics and info from that motor,,,,give me a shout.. Greetings James

tis IS the best leather work of art I have seen so far....period....and I have been around for a while...!! Tel the gentleman I pull my hat!!!!!!!!! James

hi there ya all... OK, been doing black seats and some black seats...then some more black seats...finally a friend want's a natural leather color seat!!! hurrraaaaa!!! The bike is candy pearl orange!!!!! So my idea was to make it out of 3-4 oz natural veg tan leather ( top ) 2-3 oz ( skirts ) tool the difficult design and then add orange highlights... Now the question is HOW?? Let me know if I think this right: First tooling, then dry....later a coat of neatsfoot oil, then I would use neat lac to seal....next I like to add opaque orange color to some main details....now it gets difficult: I want to add a antique finish/rubb , but not brown...I like to use orange!! Would I use orange dye?? Or could I use orange leather acryl paint ( that's what I use to add color to the main details in the design ) can I rubb dye into the cuts and whipe of...or is the more paste like acryl color better Should I thinn down the acryl paint....to rubb into the cuts....will I be able to whipe exess off so only a light hint/rubb of this orange will be seen on the carving??? After that I would let it dry, then seal all with more neat lac.....last some kind of wax finish to get it somewhat water resistant??? Crazy....yea, impossible....dont know...guess I need help from you guys! Let me know what you think and any idea how to pull this off right would be so cool!! Thanks and thanks again.. Greetings Jimbob

Bob Would you be able to share some of your biker chap patterns....? Or let me know where I can get them...? I would love to make one pair for me to ride this season on my old iron horse...haha... I thank you for your time and effort... Greetings James

Rob I am trying to find biker chaps pattern....no luck, only cowboy stuff....would you be able to share some of the patterns or let me know where to get them...? I would love to make me a pair of riding chaps.....for my iron horse...and me!! Thanks so much for your time and effort... James

Hello What do you use to clean up your acryl finish/airbrush and what pressure do you use for the airbrush application on dye and finish...?? The holsters look very good, real pro work!!! I used airbrush on shirts abt 25 years ago....now it finally dawns on me its the way to go on leather finish! Greetings James

Transfer ur questions over to motorcycle gear, there are tons of bikers making seats....I use 3-4 oz veg tan and then after dying I use neatsfoot oil or when using natural color oil and then wax....also acryl seal will work after light oil.... Ask more questions in the biker section... Greetings James

Hello eventually it would, been using it WITH leather needles to sew wallets and garment leather...it is a strong little machine, but not a industrial one...never had any problems sewing 2 layers of 3-4 oz chrome leather!! I need to make room, eight machines are to much...haha.. I let you have this beauty (mint condition!) for $180,- shipping and all....leather needles, custom frame, foot pedal, extra bobbins and some 69 thread included!! Let me know will send pictures if needed.. 2766905084 jJames

thanks guys..... I have a Singer 211-155 on a table already with a servo motor from Toledo Bob.....the 31-15 will fit right in that cut out,,,so all I do is change head if needed. So speed is no problem, but hand control for extreme curves.....sharp turnes and little detail stitching....back tacking... That bigger hand wheel on one of the other model 31-15 seems to be the trick, I am sure I can make that fit! Or find me a large Handwheel from a totally different machine,,,,? and make it fit??? Where could I find a larger handwheel, any sugestions... As always thank you for the input and info from all. Greetings Jimbob:yeah: my sewing machines: Adler 105-64 Singer 211-155 Singer 31-15 Singer 99 handwheel mint Singer 19-51 mint Singer 188K in works

for sale or trade!! Singer 15-91 with potted motor (geared motor!) in mint working condition, has custom made table top wood frame...all new wiring, works great on wallets, detail stitching and decorative leather stitching....handles easy 2-3 layers of garment leather....NOT made for heavy leather but well worth it for small stuff!! Firm $115,-- or trade for leather, leather tools and related items.... 2766905084 james

I have a ADLER 205-64 for sale....huge monster handwheel, mint condition, German made, table and clutch motor....needles, 2 pressure feet and 5 bobbins. firm $2700,- 2766905084

Hi everybody..... Just trying to set up my new Singer 31-15.....it has an unusually small hand wheel (to me...) on it?!? Wonder if Ican change it to a much bigger one for more hand control and lesser speed. Did they all (31 series) come with the same size wheel or are there different hand wheels out there....? Just wondering, if possible I like to go bigger. After market or original parts? thanks for the info........ Aloha james

Get the seat pan, is it metal or fibers....then see if he wants no foam or cushy foam....figger the design, make sure he likes it.....tool and dye, then either attach to metal pan by rivets or by staples on fiber pan....BUT first go to other forum with answers on biker gear here on this site.....tons of info!!!! Check my website and give me a shout if you need help!! Aloha Jimbob

Nice info here, thanks for the write up!! I like to try airbrush next....dipping makes sense!! Again, thank you for sharing!! James

First of all this bike has vinyl on its seat, you want to go leather??....Good!! Take seat off, ripp off vinyl, yuk, then find out what material the seat pan is.....fiber glas is good, most common on japs bikes....shape or not shape your foam....take a pattern of the old vinyl, or use braun bag paper......then messure twice!!! Decide if you want to stitch or lace, make it look cool or factory, put design on leather, add skirts then wet leather from behind....glue on foam and STRETCH!! the skirt around and under your seat.....if fiberglass, staple with air stapler and make sure you have no wrinkles!!! Step back, smile and know you done well....step back further, have some dark beer and smile more!! Let dry, add oil or conditioner...dye?? You are done!! need more, better and serious info....look on this website, lots of seat info here!! James

Love ur socks in the picture!!!!!!!!! Ohhhh and your work is great too...hahaha,,,,,,,, James

What kind of motorcycle seats we are talking here....if you want to stitch up two layers of 8-10 oz of saddle grade hide with a metal pan inbetween...wont work, need a cylinder machine and a bigger one two.....I do this with a Adler 105-64!! If you want to stitch panels and skirts on foamed chopper seats, the 211 will work.....I do that with my 211-155.....if you want to sew designs on the top seat panel....even something smaller would work....I use Singer 99 with hand wheel and soon a Singer 31-15... Send some pictures of what seats you are working on......and keep in mind I am a bloody beginner myself, just putting in my two cents!! hahaha.... Most of all.....have fun!! Aloha James