M/cycle Bib Opinions Please.

[shadowryder]

Hi All,

Well this is my 1st post other than introducing myself,

I have made for a friend a motorcycle bib with a pouch on it,made a few bibs before now but first time i stitched a pouch on one,

made a few mistakes and its a bit basic IMO but would like some experienced opinions from some members on here,anyway heres a couple of pics,

so what do you think please.

Cheers all,

Please be honest cos i really want to learn..

JJ.

[Spinner]

Hey JJ,

Not too shabby of a job there, the pocket looks nice & sturdy and good look to it, especially the top of the body with the finished seams & such.

Here's a couple of suggestions for the next ones to take them a step up:

1) Make the flap of the pocket slightly wider (1/4" or so) so that it overlaps the sides when closed. Being on the big island, you get a lot of rain and the open space where the side roll out and peek around the flap can allow some of the rain in.

2) on the bib edges, use a straight edge (yard stick or something) to get yourself a nice smooth line. This is especially important when laying out spots, etc. as any deviation from a straight line (or a smooth flowing curve) will show up in the spot placement. It will also effect how your lacing looks once you get into braided edges.

3) Speaking of edges, this is just my preference, but it would seem the edge needs something to finish it off. Either a braided/laced edge (double or triple loop or mexican round braid are the most common) or beveled & burnished or welting.

4) Last but not least, on the spots look into the domed rivets instead of the tabbed spots. The domed rivets stay on just as well but due to the design they don't create the dimples on each side like the tabbed ones do. The tabbed ones are cheaper and faster to install but the rivets provide a cleaner look.

Hope all this helps, you're coming along quickly! What kind of bike is this one for?

Cheers,

Chris

[OdinUK]

What Spinner said I like the idea of having a pocket on the tank bib.

Welcome to the forum Shadowryder.

[resqman]

I would be concerned that the metal of the spots would rub against the tank and damage the paint. Did you line the backside?

[David]

My only suggestion would be to put a lining on it to help preserve the paint.

[shadowryder]

Hi Chris,and Guys,

yeah i should have mentioned i did put a felt back on the bib to hide all metal tabs,back stitching etc,but thanks for your comments any hows,

Chris i have made the pouch with an internal flap going the other way to keep the weather out.

I get what you sayin about the studs but it was a case of using what was available in my boxes at the Mo,LOL!!

I couldnt really burnish the edge or it would have damaged the felt backing,the leather is only just over 1mm thick,but again its what i can get hold of at prices i can afford.

also i would love to be able to lace up the edges that way but havent got that far yet,I am cutting some leather lace myself though to practice with.

I,ve only charged the UK equivalent of about $45 for this so i could not put too many hours in to it,took me a lot longer than i thought anyway,trying to figure out the best pouch setup.

Its for a bike we in the uk call the baby shadow,which is a smaller 125cc version of the Ace.used by a lot of learners in the UK.

http://1.bp.blogspot...adow-746002.jpg

Thanks for the compliments /help guys,

until next time,

JJ

[Spinner]

Hi Chris,and Guys,

yeah i should have mentioned i did put a felt back on the bib to hide all metal tabs,back stitching etc,but thanks for your comments any hows,

Chris i have made the pouch with an internal flap going the other way to keep the weather out.

I get what you sayin about the studs but it was a case of using what was available in my boxes at the Mo,LOL!!

I couldnt really burnish the edge or it would have damaged the felt backing,the leather is only just over 1mm thick,but again its what i can get hold of at prices i can afford.

also i would love to be able to lace up the edges that way but havent got that far yet,I am cutting some leather lace myself though to practice with.

I,ve only charged the UK equivalent of about $45 for this so i could not put too many hours in to it,took me a lot longer than i thought anyway,trying to figure out the best pouch setup.

Its for a bike we in the uk call the baby shadow,which is a smaller 125cc version of the Ace.used by a lot of learners in the UK.

http://1.bp.blogspot...adow-746002.jpg

Thanks for the compliments /help guys,

until next time,

JJ

Hey JJ,

Drop me a PM with your address and when I get some extra cash I'll send my surplus learning lace over to you.

I bought rolls of the stuff to practice with and experiment with a few years ago and now I have no use for it aside from it taking up space.

C