JohnnyQ Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Hi all, I'm going to make some leather crash bar covers. Has anyone else tried that? Seems fairly straightforward, but as usual, I discover some new things, like the thickness of the leather can throw off your initial measurements. Now, before I buy the leather and cut my pieces and possibly waste leather, I have a question: do I have to compensate somehow on the bends, making it wider for example, or will it all just cinch up tightly and follow the contours as I lace it up? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Include the thickness of your bars when you make your patterns. I have learned (quite quickly) to cut your leather larger than intended for unforeseen miscalculations. If I was to make another set for my bars, I would probably take the time to remove the bars and wet mold them directly to your bars. Something to think about......good luck and don't forget to post a picture! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyQ Report post Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks for your input. It seems it may be best to just buy a large chunk of the leather and then actually wrap it around the bars, especially paying attention to the bends, and make my calculations from that. This is all in my spare time, so it may take a while. Include the thickness of your bars when you make your patterns. I have learned (quite quickly) to cut your leather larger than intended for unforeseen miscalculations. If I was to make another set for my bars, I would probably take the time to remove the bars and wet mold them directly to your bars. Something to think about......good luck and don't forget to post a picture! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McJeep Report post Posted July 19, 2011 I've found them to be a real beggar to measure what with the compound curves etc. I think I'm going to take a cue from one of the people on here that makes corsets of all things. When I template out the next set I'm going to mock it all up with duct tape, then cut the seam down the center of the bars and use the duct tape template. I have a couple buddies that like the look of the covers fitting inside the bars and being laced to them - lets the chrome show though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted July 19, 2011 I've found them to be a real beggar to measure what with the compound curves etc. I think I'm going to take a cue from one of the people on here that makes corsets of all things. When I template out the next set I'm going to mock it all up with duct tape, then cut the seam down the center of the bars and use the duct tape template. I have a couple buddies that like the look of the covers fitting inside the bars and being laced to them - lets the chrome show though I use cheap denim cloth to make the patterns for crash bars and whaletail bibs. As McJeep mentioned, using tape as well. I start with a rough shape to make sure I have enough cloth and then tape it to the bars using blue painters tape (no residue to clean off). Once trimmed and taped into place I then use an exacto knife to lightly cut the tape at the center line of the bars. This gives me 1/2 of the pattern. Repeat for the other side(s) and remove. Then take it back to the shop, lay the pattern out on posterboard to make a permanent pattern. Where the compound curves are you'll need to make a cut so the pattern lays out flat. Mark the pattern at these locations to you know to add a seam there or that you'll have some wet forming to do. The last set I did were the inside ones. The owner really likes the lace up style as it gives a more retro look and as McJeep mentioned, you can still see most of the chrome. I used 6oz. doubled up with smooth sides out with a stiffener inside. Haven't gotten a pic of them on the bike from the owner yet but here's one of them finished. They are for the NC Paladin Crash Bars on a '06 Honda Shadow Aero 750: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
