My First Ever Motorcycle Springer Saddle

[Rookey]

Hey all,

I started to work with leather within the last 4-6 weeks with a view to building a saddle for my motorcycle...

I kicked this off by ordering a beginners type of kit from Tandy as it came with a few basic learner kits - wallet, belt, etc. I wanted to use these to cut my teeth on before I jumped in to the seat build.

After I had got a grip of the basics, I decided just to get stuck in. It's safe to say I've learnt a whole bunch and have made many mistakes that I won't be so quick to make again, but that's why the learning process is fun :-)

I've since decided I'm going to hang this one in my garage as it's the first ever seat I've done, and am going to take what I've learned here to make the next one even better.

What do you all think?

I couldn't post all pictures in the first post.

Now onto the next one!

Dave

Edited July 18, 2013 by Rookey

[Grimpixie]

that looks smart, what bike you fiiting it to? picture please

[Rookey]

Thanks :-)

I was going to fit it to the bike on the left:

But to be honest, I think I'm going to hang it on the wall in my garage as my first ever saddle, and build another now I know what to do and what NOT to do :-)

Edited July 18, 2013 by Rookey

[David8386]

Nice work for a first attempt. Keep working and you will be surprised at how much better the next one will be. I like to hang first attempts on the wall also to refer back to. Good job.

David

[benlilly1]

I like your design...you did good for a beginner. Why the 2 step in the foam? Makes for a rough transition seen in the last photo. I would suggest to get some thicker neoprene and form some nice curves to the pan. On the next one make your cut edges uniform with the holes so your lacing looks even. Good start!

[Rookey]

Thanks benlilly :-)

Yeh there were actually a whole bunch of things if do differently on the next one:

1. Closed cell neoprene foam and shaped correctly (I used a yoga mat on this one and could ony get the thickness I wanted by doubling up)

2. Be more decisive on my tools used for tooling (changed halfway through from a knurled beveller to a flat one)

3. Punch slits rather than holes and make sure there are the same amount on each side (Doh!)

4. Cut the edges the same distance from the holes

5. Measure the correct amount of leather to get the same height all the way around

6. Dye the leather before starting to lace - had to undo it as I didn't think!

7. Use thicker acrylic for painting if I paint on leather again

8. Use a cloth or something that won't naturally create bubbles to apply the resolene

9. Weld the bolts to the underside of the pan and not "through" the pan - I did so for a smoother look but I now have to put large spacers on there anyway to separate the underside leather from the springs/arm.

10. Take my time!!! This isn't a game to see how fast I can do something... I should take time to enjoy the process and revel in a much nicer end product as a result.

I'm gonna hang this one on my wall to remind me of all those points and keep building, hopefully getting better with each one :-)

Dave

[jessebeckham]

looks good! If i hung all my first attempts (failed, lesson learned attempts) on the wall... I'd have run out of room. HA. Like David said, your second attempt on almost everything will blow your mind at how much can be learned from the first. Unfortunately, for me, I always get mad at myself on a second attempt thinking about what I didn't do on the first. Hang in there, be sure so share more work with us as you finish.

[David8386]

Hey you might want to rethink about putting slits instead of holes for the lacing. Slits will tear out easier than the holes will. Also build up the acrylic in thin layers, thick layers will crack easier. Make sure you cut your resolene 50/50. Look at some of the posts on seats by using the search in the upper right corner. If you can't find something or not sure just ask there are several great seat builders here benliliy being one. You are on the right track I was just referring to some of the things in your list.

David

[Rookey]

Thanks David, I'll definitely be doing that. One of the threads that actually made me want to get stuck in was benlilly's Bad Axe seat haha

Didn't think about cutting the resolene mix though, so thanks for that :-)

[shadowryder]

nice one Rookey,

glad to see you made it over to the site,

keep up the good work mate,

I,ll be coming to you for tips LOL!!!!!

[Rookey]

haha cheers John :-)