Spinner Report post Posted July 20, 2011 Finished a pair of whaletail tank bibs for two Honda VTX1300s this weekend (two different clients, same bikes). The first one asked for the POW-MIA tooling and a pocket to hold an iPod & notepad and then asked for the Airborne wings to be added somewhere. The color & royal blue lacing he added on and ended up looking kind of cool (his bike is also painted blue). The second one is a whaletail bib with a double row of 1/4" buckstitching running down like racing stripes. Both were made with W & C 6oz, wet formed to the tank. Kangaroo for all the lacing. Golden Fluid acrylics (white & irridescent silver) were used for the colors. Both have triple loop laced edges and felt on the undersides to protect the bike's paint. On the pocket, I tried something new and did an expandable folded pocket like was shown in the LW&SJ two issues ago. I used 3oz goatskin for the pocket front, veg-tan for the flap and to get a bit more room out of it, I welted the pocket with two 6oz. 1/4" wide welts all around. Kept the pocket fairly flat while providing an extra 3/8" thickness without the pocket expanding. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted July 20, 2011 More great work from you....i love the shape you have come up with...on the tanks in the pics they almost look like a vest.....tank vests... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benlilly1 Report post Posted July 20, 2011 Really, really NICE! I see you use W&C leather. I have been wanting to try their leather but noticed on their site I have to buy a whole side. Can you tell me if it's worth the cost to buy from them? I've used Springfield leather and Tandy only. Finished a pair of whaletail tank bibs for two Honda VTX1300s this weekend (two different clients, same bikes). The first one asked for the POW-MIA tooling and a pocket to hold an iPod & notepad and then asked for the Airborne wings to be added somewhere. The color & royal blue lacing he added on and ended up looking kind of cool (his bike is also painted blue). The second one is a whaletail bib with a double row of 1/4" buckstitching running down like racing stripes. Both were made with W & C 6oz, wet formed to the tank. Kangaroo for all the lacing. Golden Fluid acrylics (white & irridescent silver) were used for the colors. Both have triple loop laced edges and felt on the undersides to protect the bike's paint. On the pocket, I tried something new and did an expandable folded pocket like was shown in the LW&SJ two issues ago. I used 3oz goatskin for the pocket front, veg-tan for the flap and to get a bit more room out of it, I welted the pocket with two 6oz. 1/4" wide welts all around. Kept the pocket fairly flat while providing an extra 3/8" thickness without the pocket expanding. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted July 20, 2011 Thanks Roo, that's pretty funny about the vests...I hadn't noticed that until you said something but they really do look that way! haha benlilly - Yes, it is if you know you'll use the whole thing and not waste it. Also, here's a little secret...the leather quality is better than what you'll find at the retail stores and it's actually cheaper most of the time. Example: a mid-grade 24 sqft hide from Tandy (Live Oak I think is what it's called) in 6oz runs about $150-180 for club members. (I was in a jam last week and needed 4oz...half a side of Royal Meadow 4oz. cost me $85 and still wasn't as nice) The Overstock sides from W&C are $107. The overstock sides from W&C are better quality than the Royal Meadow or Live Oak and generally run about 23-25sq ft. I pay about $20 shipping from them in PA to Los Angeles so even with shipping it's still cheaper. Only downside is the 1-2 week wait for it to get here when I ask them to cut or split it. If you order the 9/10oz, it ships quickly since it's on hand. Cutting and splitting usually adds a week or so to the delivery time. I go through 1-3 sides per month usually so I always order when I'm down to one side of my common thicknesses and colors (I also use their pre-dyed black sides). I try to keep at least a side of 4, 6 and 9oz on hand as that's what I use the most. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benlilly1 Report post Posted July 21, 2011 Spinner, Thanks for all the info about the leather. That helps me make the decision to bump up in quality. Thanks Roo, that's pretty funny about the vests...I hadn't noticed that until you said something but they really do look that way! haha benlilly - Yes, it is if you know you'll use the whole thing and not waste it. Also, here's a little secret...the leather quality is better than what you'll find at the retail stores and it's actually cheaper most of the time. Example: a mid-grade 24 sqft hide from Tandy (Live Oak I think is what it's called) in 6oz runs about $150-180 for club members. (I was in a jam last week and needed 4oz...half a side of Royal Meadow 4oz. cost me $85 and still wasn't as nice) The Overstock sides from W&C are $107. The overstock sides from W&C are better quality than the Royal Meadow or Live Oak and generally run about 23-25sq ft. I pay about $20 shipping from them in PA to Los Angeles so even with shipping it's still cheaper. Only downside is the 1-2 week wait for it to get here when I ask them to cut or split it. If you order the 9/10oz, it ships quickly since it's on hand. Cutting and splitting usually adds a week or so to the delivery time. I go through 1-3 sides per month usually so I always order when I'm down to one side of my common thicknesses and colors (I also use their pre-dyed black sides). I try to keep at least a side of 4, 6 and 9oz on hand as that's what I use the most. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted July 21, 2011 Spinner, Thanks for all the info about the leather. That helps me make the decision to bump up in quality. Not a problem at all...in fact, check your Inbox... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted July 25, 2011 Very nice work. I like the wet forming, its so neat. I'm trying to wet form a whole tank cover for my fuel tank, but I'm concerned I may get wrinkles or folds, so will stick to some very thin leather, maybe 2-3 oz. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted August 22, 2011 Finally got a picture of one of these bibs installed on the client's bike: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Reaper Report post Posted October 9, 2014 ...so how did ya build it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jstar61 Report post Posted October 12, 2014 ...so how did ya build it? Here is a write up he did on making a whale tail bib. http://tech.bareasschoppers.com/resources/leatherworking-101/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tramps Leatherworking Report post Posted November 1, 2014 Here is a write up he did on making a whale tail bib. http://tech.bareasschoppers.com/resources/leatherworking-101/ Very informative --- thanks for posting that... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
