1925 Harley JD Seat Restoration

[Irishleather]

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? 

[Mulesaw]

Strength wise, I think that a braided thread is stronger, but given the age of the motorcycle, I think waxed linen thread is the most correct thread to use.
I would go with a 6 strand waxed linen thread, And I would reapply some wax to the thread once in a while while sewing. Just to make sure that the thread don't start to fray.

It sounds like a great project, I hope you'll share some pictures once it is done.

You could try to ask a shoe repair business or saddle maker if you could buy 10-15 yards of linen thread, (if there is a one of anywere near where you live). That is my best guess for getting hold of something before Christmas.

Brgds
Jonas

[Irishleather]

Thanks! 6-strand linen! OK, this might be a test of his patience.  Here is the frame and the first layer experiment. Found better rivets today, so those will be changed out. 

[Mulesaw]

Looking really good! Here's a similar seat that was fitted with new leather.  It is a project I would really like to try, but I haven't got any bikes with that style of seat. 
My reasoning for 6 strand is that a seat lives a pretty rough life, there is plenty abrasion from the drivers legs and there is sunshine, rain and dust, all which is hard on the stitching.

Brgds

Jonas

 

[Irishleather]

Here it is done, pretty much. He darkened it more and kept working the nose (more curled). These earlier (24,25?) seats only have a partial back, as seen in the picture of the frame. So the first layer of leather is kind of the bucket. This seat has boiled (felted) wool (from an old blanket) and a heavy linen weave to protect the wool. (?) The top leather layer is cut a little bigger to get the sling and fit right before the stitching, final trim, and burnishing. I would have done the wet and weight trick with a carefully drawn stitchline, then would have definitely sculpted my edge better. But my guys don't like "hold-ups". lol (or listening to granny) The motor is a 3D print, but since then, he has bought an original motor to rebuild. He didn't grow up with guys doing this kind of stuff (mostly the women are the mechanics around here). But from the time he was a little kid, he loved to make "props". He carved wood stalks and used metal pipe and probably sewing machine parts to make a pretend rifle. Once, he made a rifle so real that we quickly bought it off of him before he headed back to town, where he lived. So, for the seasoned, this might not be up to par, but by the time he is done, he will know every detail, and it will be amazing.