Thumper Report post Posted September 20, 2010 I'm trying to get a grasp on what weight leather to use for various applications. I ride motorcycle and want to make stuff for my bike. Tank Bib Leather fringe lever covers Windshield bag Saddlebags So whadya say.....will someone please give me a few pointers here on what they use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted September 20, 2010 Hey Thumper, I'm not an expert, but for the bibs and bags I have done this is what I use: Bib: 5/6 oz. with felt backing sewn in. Saddlebags: 9/10 oz. or 9/10 oz. front/back with 5/6 oz. sides Windshield Bag and other small bags: 9/10 oz can be used (to keep costs down by using the same side the saddlebags were made from) but usually I use 5/6 oz for these. lever covers: 3/4 oz. or 5/6 oz. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thumper Report post Posted September 20, 2010 Hey Thumper, I'm not an expert, but for the bibs and bags I have done this is what I use: Bib: 5/6 oz. with felt backing sewn in. Saddlebags: 9/10 oz. or 9/10 oz. front/back with 5/6 oz. sides Windshield Bag and other small bags: 9/10 oz can be used (to keep costs down by using the same side the saddlebags were made from) but usually I use 5/6 oz for these. lever covers: 3/4 oz. or 5/6 oz. Chris Thanks Chris.!! Much appreciated. I like your work and it all looks good. I just hope I can do that well for my own bike needs/wants soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted October 2, 2010 No problem Thumper! What kind of bike are we talking about here? If I can help with anything, drop me a line. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thumper Report post Posted October 9, 2010 No problem Thumper! What kind of bike are we talking about here? If I can help with anything, drop me a line. I'm wanting to make a nice tank bib for my VTX1300C as well as a windshield bag for it. I appreciate the offer of assistance Spinner. I am hoping to do some stuff over the winter (even though I continue to ride in the winter months as long as the roads are good) and have it all ready to look really good or at least better come spring ride time. BTW, do you know where I can get some of those metal parts for a windshield bag? I have a ws bag on my 750 Shadow and it has a metal square with a hole in it and two "shoulders" on it that fit over the metal strip across the inside of the ws....and I'd like to find some of those for making my own ws bag. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted October 9, 2010 Many of those parts are proprietary unfortunately. I just found the twist lock part that Mustang uses for their tank bags after about 3 months of looking. Something you might check is camping supply stores in the backpack and utility belt sections. I'm finding that many parts for bike bags originate from camping & backpack parts. Ohio Travel Bag is another good place to check, their catalog is huge and is pretty much all bag parts. If you can't find it there, they might be able to tell you where to find them. Keep an eye out for my next tank bib posting, it is based on a VTX bib that was custom made and I adapted the lacing to the bibs I'm making for Aeros...crazy amount of lacing. (23 yards of lace per bib) Might provide some inspiration... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby hdflame Report post Posted October 22, 2010 I'm wanting to make a nice tank bib for my VTX1300C as well as a windshield bag for it. I appreciate the offer of assistance Spinner. I am hoping to do some stuff over the winter (even though I continue to ride in the winter months as long as the roads are good) and have it all ready to look really good or at least better come spring ride time. BTW, do you know where I can get some of those metal parts for a windshield bag? I have a ws bag on my 750 Shadow and it has a metal square with a hole in it and two "shoulders" on it that fit over the metal strip across the inside of the ws....and I'd like to find some of those for making my own ws bag. Thumper, Try some of the marine upholstery supply houses...Like Sailrite, Miami, Manart Hirsh (sp?), Rochford Supply. My laptop has crashed or I'd give you the links. If you visit http://www.get-up-and-go.com/upholstery-forum/ there are a lot of things in the marine side that will cross over to leatherwork. Hope that helps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Steve Report post Posted October 22, 2010 Hey Thumper, i make bike gear all the time, you wont go far wrong with what spinner has said about the wieghts, only differance is i use 10-11 oz on all the parts of the saddlebags that i make it makes for a stiffer bag, not saying i'm right but it works for me, hope this helps, good look, and ride safe. Regards, Steve. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted October 22, 2010 Hey Thumper, i make bike gear all the time, you wont go far wrong with what spinner has said about the wieghts, only differance is i use 10-11 oz on all the parts of the saddlebags that i make it makes for a stiffer bag, not saying i'm right but it works for me, hope this helps, good look, and ride safe. Regards, Steve. Nothing wrong with that Steve. I've only made 2 sets of saddle bags and the requests were for a less rigid style bag that would lay down better when not loaded so the gussets were 5/6oz while the main front/back/lid were 9/10 oz.. They were pretty thin bags (only 2 1/2" deep) to carry a laptop, light jacket, etc. If I were doing more rigid/traditional bike bags I'd likely go with 9/10 oz all over too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thumper Report post Posted October 23, 2010 Good info right here.!!!!! You see, this is the kind of info any new dude would need to know when starting out making his own stuff for his bike(s) and others. This is the kind of info that makes a thread (IMHO) really useful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby hdflame Report post Posted November 21, 2010 Thumper, You may have already looked here, but I wanted to give everybody a couple of links where they might find some fittings they can use. I have a wholesale account at Sailrite, so this is the link to their wholesale sight: http://www.sailrite.com/lowell-wholesale You'll have to sign up with them to get access there. You can also just go to http://www.sailrite.com and look around. They have lots and lots of different fasteners. Be sure to check out their extensive video library of FREE "How-To's". Rochford Supply also has a lot of fasteners and good prices too. http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Fasteners/index.html Hope these help someone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thumper Report post Posted November 25, 2010 Thanks Bobby, I'll go check out those links. Much appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Reaper Report post Posted September 25, 2014 How do you form the bib around the tank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jstar61 Report post Posted September 28, 2014 Chris (Spinner) has a great right up on making a tank bib here. http://tech.bareasschoppers.com/resources/leatherworking-101/ It was a great help when I did mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
