ridesapaint

Good advice from all. Choosing a tree is, in my opinion, is the most important part because what is best for the horse and rider is a lot more important than what the saddle looks like. Of course quality is important, but who makes the tree is less important than fit for horse and rider. I am in the middle of making my third saddle, and experienced makers helped me decide on a tree. Looking at many, many custom saddles online and in person, and choosing the parts of those saddles I like best, has helped me design the saddle I want in the end--I think. I am sure there will be many details I would have done differently. The experience of making a lot of saddles is probably the only thing to reduce regret about the saddle you make. It is also ok to copy a saddle you really like. I used cheap poster board from walmart to use for making patterns, but beer cases work just fine too. I also have discovered that after coming up with a decent pattern using cardboard, using vinyl from a fabric store helps me make the pattern for the seat because it bends and flexes decently, and assists in a final commitment to the seat cutout. Another thing to consider is finding a mentor or a saddle maker who is willing to offer good suggestions as you make it. leatherworker.net is an outstanding source, absolutely, and wish I had found this site before I started making my first. I am amazed at the work of both amateurs and pros. But I was really reluctant to start the first saddle because it seemed such a huge undertaking. It is a really big project for a first time leather worker like myself. I went through two makers before I found one that let me make my own saddle, and not a copy of one of theirs. The saddle maker I finally found--by shear luck in a hardware store--showed me how to make each piece. The result was First Place and Best In Show at the 2007 New Mexico State Fair. My second saddle, made from scraps mostly, was a christmas present for my girlfriends daughter, and the third I am making now is my beater saddle, which I think is going to be nicer than the first. My girlfriend has fallen in love with my first saddle. I love it in an arena and working, but not on the trail for long periods. #3 will likely be my favorite. I will try to get some pics of #2, but it is going to be a while because I am working out of state. First saddle: http://good-times.we...551651511rPBbpl Third saddle: http://s959.photobuc...apaint/saddles/

Hello Marco, Yup, you're crazy, but so am I. Funny to read this thread at this time. I had a close friend die last month who let me ride his harley when I asked, something he really never let others do. So, In his honor I decided to build a custom chopper in my kitchen while I am away from home working. I know very little about harley type bikes and am learning a TON in a short period of time I decided to build a solo seat for the bike and am using a ralide (plastic) saddle tree I bought for $40 or something from the ralide website: http://www.ralide.co...40&cat=4&page=1 I cut the whole pommel and horn off, and am cutting down the bars significantly while leaving the back of the bars intact so I can have back jockeys to form-fit to the fender. I am also cutting down the cantle a bunch to keep the basic design bobber-style if thats possible. I will have to put a couple strong steel braces under the tree so I can mount the front hinge and rear springs or struts--I haven't really decided how to attach the back of the seat on yet (at what point does a saddle become a seat?). tree before cutting down and after: trimmed down The issues I can see you having will be using a older tree that might not hold together very well once you get hacking it down. And recycling the leather will be a challenge as well, but I think it can be done. I bought a serious strong shelf bracket from the local hardware store and will use it to reenforce the tree while providing a place to secure the seat to the bike frame. It can be done nicely, but it is not a basic project, thats for sure. Jerry