Saddle restoration - any recommendations?

[gordonmarkus]

Hi,

I've had my original team MBK replica bike from 1989 restored and it looks great now, but the original saddle is pretty knackered. Does anyone on here do saddle refurbishment/repair or know where I might be able to get it done? It's the final piece on my list! I've attached a pic of the saddle if anyone is interested.

Thanks,

Gordon

 

[Peachy!]

Hello, I'm not sure if this helps, but recently I have wanted to restore or more accurately, 'revive' an old Brooks leather saddle that was as hard as wood.
I have read about people using olive oil but complaining that this can get a bit smelly, so I tried baby oil, its very pure, doesn't go off and soaked right into the saddle leather. the result is I now have a super old brooks that has the right amount of give without looking like it might just snap/tear any moment.

 

[gordonmarkus]

Hi,

Thanks for the comment and suggestion, but my saddle is fabric. Sorry my picture from the original post wasn't attached, but hopefully it's attached ok this time!

-Gordon

 

[Peachy!]

:facepalm: Yeah, baby oil will just make that soggy!

 

[Big Block]

a rare saddle.
If it was mine, and if I wanted it to reproduce the colours and design, I would have a chat to Busyman for options.

As for using baby oil on a Brooks saddle, baby oil is essentially a mineral oil, which damages the fibres of leather.
Your assessment of "without looking like it might just snap/tear any moment" is exactly what will happen.

 

[Peachy!]

a rare saddle.
If it was mine, and if I wanted it to reproduce the colours and design, I would have a chat to Busyman for options.

As for using baby oil on a Brooks saddle, baby oil is essentially a mineral oil, which damages the fibres of leather.
Your assessment of "without looking like it might just snap/tear any moment" is exactly what will happen.

Oops :facepalm: ah well, lesson learned I suppose!

 

[MADJEZ]

TOP TIP - Don't use shoe polish...
I used it on the 1992 GT leather saddle on my Avalanche. Came up beautifully.

Unfortunately it makes a mess of my jeans every time I ride it DOH !!

 

[The History Man]

Neatsfoot oil on underside of a brooks. Thin coat painted on in warm room. Allow 24 hours and you see the wrinkles close.

My Armstrong thread has lots of advice on this. Click below.

 

[Big Block]

Brooks advise: "Proofide is a tried and trusted product, the ingredients of which are known to Brooks. This is the only dressing, therefore, that we can endorse for use on a Brooks leather product. The use of any other product is frowned upon and will jeopardize your warranty rights.
Neat’s-foot oil, in particular, is known to have serious harmful effects on a Brooks saddle, weakening the inner fibres of the leather to the point where the leather is no longer strong enough to support the weight of a rider; it will also destroy the sheen finish of the leather."

but all of this is seriously hijacking the OP's request for information about how to deal with his specific saddle.

 

[Little Al]

Have a word with your local "Horsey" outlet treatment for saddles tack etc they will be able to advise