Harley Leather Maintenance

Protecting the leather on your Harley Davidson motorcycle and riding
gear is a necessary job.  Your riding boots, pants, and jacket all need
to be protected against the elements just as much as the leather parts
on your bike. The leather protectors used for leather clothing are the
same as for your bike and it’s important to get them done when they are
first bought.  You should also keep a monthly routine of cleaning,
conditioning, polishing, and waterproofing in order to keep them
looking new.

Cleaning

First, clean your equipment with leather soap, saddle soap, or other
product that you prefer (make sure it works with leather), before
conditioning to remove any surface dirt that has built up. If you don’t
clean before conditioning, any dirt on the leather will become sealed
under the conditioner.  Popular brand name cleaners include MPB Leather
Soap, Fiebing’s Saddle Soap, and Aqua Leather Cleaner.

Conditioning

Next, condition the leather using oils, waxes, and other
moisturizers to keep it healthy looking. Conditioning helps to protect
the leather against wind, sunlight, and UV radiation. Remember to avoid
using conditioning products with silicone or petroleum products, if
possible.  Popular brand name conditioning products include Blackfire
High UV Leather Protector, Lexol Leather Conditioner, and Kiwi Brand
Mink Oil conditioning products.

Polishing

After conditioning, there are polishing options.  Polish products
help to renew the color and cover scuffs on leather surfaces. Polishes
contain dyes and pigments that will help keep the color fresh, waxes to
make it shine, and even conditioning agents to moisten the leather.
There are three types of polishes that are available: liquid polishes,
cream polishes, and paste polish. Liquid polishes aren’t recommended,
being that they do not last as long.  Brand name polishes that are
available include White Diamond Polish, Cycle Care Polishers, and Glare
Professional Polish.

Waterproofing

Finally, you should treat all new leather products with a
waterproofer when you first purchase and repeat the process whenever
the it starts to absorb water-based liquids. Waterproofing seals the
surface of the leather and will even tighten the seams and edges of the
leather. Liquid Mink Oil is a good product for waterproofing leather,
Aquaseal Black Leather, and Nikwax Waterproofing Spray.