Plain Black Seat For A Cycle Source Cover Bike....

[David]

I received a call from a fellow in Florida who was requesting a seat for a bike that is on this month's cover of Cycle Source..... He wanted a black seat, no tooling, with all the fancy lacing that I put on seats. Pretty simple order except that I have all but quit trying to make black seats. The color always ALWAYS rubs off regardless of the dye used. SO.........I called my local Tandy and was invited to come look at a non toolable, factory dyed, black, veg tanned 8 oz. hide. The leather felt peculiar but was plyable and seemed like it might work, do I gave it a try. The results are below.....I tried to put a makers mark on the back; but could not even mark the hide with a 2 lb. maul. If you get the seat wet, the water beads like a freshly waxed car. The more I worked with it, the more the leather felt like rubber.....yeah, I know, pretty wierd. But I think the results were OK. I attached a close up of the seat fron so you can see the texture of the hide.

Best to all,

Dave Theobald

[hivemind]

Can't say you're not giving the customer exactly what they asked for!

It looks good man, and I bet it went together a lot faster than your usual seats.

Have you tried doing vinegaroon black seats?

Edited January 19, 2011 by hivemind

[PANTHER]

David,

The seat has an elegance about it that is truly wonderful.And I believe it is due to your outstanding lacing. I think they got more than what they asked for. Outstanding!!

PANTHER

[David]

Thanks for the positive comments both of you. I've not tried vinegaroon black. If I brewed up something that smells like vinegaroon, I'm afraid I'd need a divorce attorney.

Dave

[mendedbowl]

Beautiful seat David.

congrats, i'll be watching for that issue.

I have some of that black leather too. have you tried to slick an edge yet? it's like a hard wax, but looks good.

ken

[David]

Beautiful seat David.

congrats, i'll be watching for that issue.

I have some of that black leather too. have you tried to slick an edge yet? it's like a hard wax, but looks good.

ken

Hey Ken,

I have not tried to slick an edge as yet. All my edges on this seat were covered with lace so it wasn't needed. I'll give it a shot on a piece of scrap.

Thanks.

Dave Theobald

[TroyS]

Hats off Dave! That is simply stunning. Sometimes simple is better!

I received a call from a fellow in Florida who was requesting a seat for a bike that is on this month's cover of Cycle Source..... He wanted a black seat, no tooling, with all the fancy lacing that I put on seats. Pretty simple order except that I have all but quit trying to make black seats. The color always ALWAYS rubs off regardless of the dye used. SO.........I called my local Tandy and was invited to come look at a non toolable, factory dyed, black, veg tanned 8 oz. hide. The leather felt peculiar but was plyable and seemed like it might work, do I gave it a try. The results are below.....I tried to put a makers mark on the back; but could not even mark the hide with a 2 lb. maul. If you get the seat wet, the water beads like a freshly waxed car. The more I worked with it, the more the leather felt like rubber.....yeah, I know, pretty wierd. But I think the results were OK. I attached a close up of the seat fron so you can see the texture of the hide.

Best to all,

Dave Theobald

[David]

Thanks Troy, I appreciate your comment.

Ken,

That issue is on the market now. The purple cover bike is the one that will have my seat on it in time for the Easy Riders Show in Cincinnati.

Marty got impatient and had the photo shoot done before he contacted me about the seat. If you look at the article, the seat on it now is pretty scuffed up.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Dave Theobald