How to restore an old bicycle saddle

[@restorationdotbike]

Restoring something can be a trial-and-error process, especially when doing something for the first time. I had never restored a saddle before, so I feel it's only natural I made mistakes along the way, mistakes I wanted to share so you wouldn't make them if you tried something similar. It's interesting to learn that a lot of comments on this video relate to me making those mistakes and pointing them out. This video is not about me making mistakes and failing in the restoration process, but persisting after making them and moving towards an agreeable end result in spite of those failures. Achieving success is made sweeter because of failures and learning from them, not about not trying something because of fear of failure.

[@TrueNomadSkies]

I really appreciated how you left all of the learning mistakes in. For a lot of people, actually seeing things not go perfect helps to explain why you did it differently in the future without well, having to make the same mistake again.

[@robbiesharp311]

I love it. This is how I do things. Trial and error a d then perfection.

[@tuliobenavidez9952]

Hi kind sir,, thanks so much for this,, got a couple of saddles that have been kicking around for some time,, they aren't pretty but with your content here,, resurrecting them is possible,, enjoyed the video and thanks again,, Peace

[@restorationdotbike]

Glad it helped and good luck on restoring your saddles :)

[@bob-o9865]

On Amazon, they sell leather rolls with stick on adhesive. I think I will try that on my saddle and use my staple gun

[@spirit3936]

Nice work..and that's the point..u have to learn from your adventure and nice upload.

[@AthelstanEngland]

I've got the same Lonsdale boxers so this should be easy.... :) did you wear them again? Saddle looks good.

[@RichardVanMeter-j5x]

Thank you much for that video I have a pretty good idea there are two women's black leather jackets that are very unstylish for not that much money at the local thrift store I can probably get it on Wednesday in a bag sale and buy two for $6 and whatever else would possibly fit in the bag that I could use not too many choices there but that's not the point I think each leather jacket make possibly do two seat covers it would be well worth the $6 investment since I have four seats that could use recovering

[@waynewilliams5992]

Great job!

[@glenangelos6025]

It would be helpful to mention the types of glue and strippers you used!

[@a-kazebo-z5139]

I restore leather bicycle seats,,,,,as a tip.....buy leather the color you want,,,,left over leather is usually NO BUENO..

[@restorationdotbike]

I will next time, for this one I was just unable to find any. And the saddle was so cheap and beat up, I didn't mind experimenting anyway. The color holds up quite nicely. I've ridden it a couple of miles now, and only in the creases doe you see the other color.

[@graememorrison333]

I re-covered a Selle Italia Flite in light grey 7mm leather a couple of years ago but after about a hundred miles, it was stained with sweat and I couldn't remove it, so the long term result is a bit...meh. What thickness of leather do you recommend and from what animal? I have a Turbomatic which is insanely comfortable when set up right but the covering is on its last legs, and this time I'm tempted to go for a waterproof, breathable synthetic (polyester based) cover.

[@kitpulmones2114]

Buying leather with the color of your choice would've saved you the effort and mess.

[@STNMNinc]

did the paint rub off with riding? thanks

[@restorationdotbike]

enough to make it look very used

[@Dino_Buk]

So, goodbye new jeans.. Maybe to use next time paint that is an oil-based.

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

have a vintage 1988 road bike want to recover the white vinyl san marcos saddle

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Or 'How not to restore an old bicycle saddle'. Just as valuable.

[@артемкрассин]

Кожа в копеечку обойдется.Сиденья не дорого стоят

[@1catbrains]

Do I have to use my underwear ?

[@restorationdotbike]

Isn't it obvious?

[@abstraddic0442]

Use yo draws kid.😖

[@renemcarthur4983]

That shots gonna get all on 😅your honey buds

[@Roberto-ey6vd]

Retitle 'How not to replace bike seat'

[@C345OFR]

How long did the dye last after the second application? I'd be worried to wear white jeans while riding with this saddle!

[@restorationdotbike]

I just finished and rode the bike it's supposed to go on. With about 40 miles on I didn't see any dye come off. I also checked my dark gray pants and didn't see anything on it. I've also done an early 80's white suede saddle cover which proved to not hold the dye so well. I had to reapply the dye a couple of times before the cover stayed black. I've now ridden that one for several thousand miles. Long story short is that you have to become confident in the dye not coming off before wearing those white pants on it. And different saddle covers behave differently.

[@C345OFR]

@@restorationdotbike Ah, OK. Thanks for the explanation :-)

[@12villages]

The foam is amazingly intact

[@azizbasrom406]

came across your channel today, done subscribed and thank you for sharing the skills, I have few saddles need to be repaired and will try to it by myself

[@restorationdotbike]

Thanks for subscribing and good luck

[@neomotshome8800]

What glue is that?

[@restorationdotbike]

I used spray glue in a can and instant glue.

[@paulcookies]

Nice try.

[@sebastieneude8199]

Dear sir,i was hesitating buying a beautiful ,but damaged saddle covered with PU ,cause i didn't know if it was possible to pet leather instead. Thank you , you proved it was not an impossible task.Good work!

[@restorationdotbike]

Thank you. My basic rule is if you want to you can restore almost anything. Never in my life had I see a saddle that was in a worse condition than this one, so I looked at it as a challenge. Leather is better than a plastic cover because it stretches more, so you can get a really nice and even look. Good luck on your project.

[@abstraddic0442]

So this was how, not to restore you seat right ? 🤔 👍got it.

[@pagongtagi6124]

nice work.

[@mathguy829]

Great work!

[@restorationdotbike]

Thanks!

[@andyel1649]

you are doing it wrong, you need first remove the bottom metal rail... No need glue or paint it after, wasting too much material, don't need spend time iron old top for pattern, waste time. This must be your first one and only one.

[@restorationdotbike]

I've been using this saddle ever since I restored it the "wrong" way. If you feel you can do it better, instead of telling me what I can and cannot do, create your own KZbin channel and show the world how you feel it should be done. You can comment with the url to your video if you're ready. Good luck.

[@harutanaka3647]

@@restorationdotbike i will need fo first apply for pattern for my tool before release it. Only because it is hard to do, does not mean it can not be done the right way. your way is like taking a dump on toilet, without first take off your jean.

[@honda200twinstar3]

Umm can i ask why didnt ya just use vinyl?thats what iv been useing for as long as i can remember.witch is 15 or more years.

[@restorationdotbike]

I wanted to use leather, not vinyl. This was a first for me, so it was learning on the job.

[@honda200twinstar3]

oh and any chance that paint will just transfer to ones pants? and you dont say what paint you used.

[@restorationdotbike]

Not really, but I made sure to use black pants

[@Cycle_in_style]

Lmao nice try mate

[@refasscris]

Very nice!!

[@JB-yr4vd]

Eeeeeshhh

[@sarthaksharma9260]

5:19 what was it can you please name it

[@restorationdotbike]

You can find the product in the description of the video

[@MrPhotodoc]

So many questions. But you should try another?

[@josuezuniga6776]

🤢

[@webchez69]

You learn when you are a noob