Old Leather Saddlebag refurb
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 188
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix, AZ
Old Leather Saddlebag refurb
Can old, warped leather saddlebags be restored to look new if the leather is scuffed and warped? Anybody had this done with good results?
Last edited by wildcat465; Dec 28, 2010 at 08:33 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 734
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From: Southern Missouri ( ozarks)
Do a google search on leather refurbishing products.If you have any people around there that makes saddles/harness they might be able to help or have the right products or be able to tell ya what ya gotta do,can do or....I have a buddy that I ride with that has a saddle /tack shop and I've seen some bags that were pretty weathered and looked really good afterwards.Kiwi paste might help some but I wouldn't use the liquid crap.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Find a store that sells leather and leather working supplies. Use leather conditioner to soften the leather before trying to reshape them.
I think Lexol is a good brand of conditioner. I'd recommend Doc Baileys to bring the color back.
I think Lexol is a good brand of conditioner. I'd recommend Doc Baileys to bring the color back.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
******** update 5/2012- while my bags are great and work well I have been advised by experts that neetsfoot oil is not the way to go and that my bags will become stiff and unpliable---however they continue to function great*******
so I am lucky. the Guys at Worsham Castle do resto bags and saddles--- however they do not emboss the bags with the bar and shield logo, which the original bags have of the front of the lid******
original post:
when my '53 came out of a barn, the saddlebags had been in a cardboard box for decades. The horsehide was literally stiff as a board.
I put in a trash bag and poured in a pint of neetsfoot oil (gun shop maybe). every month or so, I turned the bag over and added oil as the leather sucked it in.
after about 8 months I was able to slide bicycle inner tubes into the bags and slowly (over weeks) added air a few pumps at a time.
eventually they regained shape.
I then treated with lexol.
and have used them for over 10 years
mk
so I am lucky. the Guys at Worsham Castle do resto bags and saddles--- however they do not emboss the bags with the bar and shield logo, which the original bags have of the front of the lid******
original post:
when my '53 came out of a barn, the saddlebags had been in a cardboard box for decades. The horsehide was literally stiff as a board.
I put in a trash bag and poured in a pint of neetsfoot oil (gun shop maybe). every month or so, I turned the bag over and added oil as the leather sucked it in.
after about 8 months I was able to slide bicycle inner tubes into the bags and slowly (over weeks) added air a few pumps at a time.
eventually they regained shape.
I then treated with lexol.
and have used them for over 10 years
mk
Last edited by mkguitar; May 14, 2012 at 02:20 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
ok
color is "glamour green" only available in 53 as a special order. that is the factory paint, no repairs, repaints etc. the red oxide primer can be seen through the paint on the top right tank as window in the barn let light shine on that area.
optional foot shift ( first offered in 52)
54 was the Golden Anniversary so no special badges for 53's (Modern H-D celebrates 1903 year of incorporation- original H-D clebrated 1904, first year of production.)
has about 26000 miles
rebuilt motor and trans, 6 volt electrics, ebeyond 2000 electronic ignition sensor
the original tires and wheels are stored in my garage as is the winter apron kit and original buddy seat- check out the floorboard extensions! those things are ultra rare.
most of the shiny bits are stainless, not chrome. that's how it was done back then
MK
color is "glamour green" only available in 53 as a special order. that is the factory paint, no repairs, repaints etc. the red oxide primer can be seen through the paint on the top right tank as window in the barn let light shine on that area.
optional foot shift ( first offered in 52)
54 was the Golden Anniversary so no special badges for 53's (Modern H-D celebrates 1903 year of incorporation- original H-D clebrated 1904, first year of production.)
has about 26000 miles
rebuilt motor and trans, 6 volt electrics, ebeyond 2000 electronic ignition sensor
the original tires and wheels are stored in my garage as is the winter apron kit and original buddy seat- check out the floorboard extensions! those things are ultra rare.
most of the shiny bits are stainless, not chrome. that's how it was done back then
MK
Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 28, 2010 at 07:42 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Thanks guys. I'm encouraged. Mine are nowhere near MKguitar's bags. They're pliable and probable need to have the color brought back and reshaped.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
Like other posts say, stick to paste into the cans. Stay away from the crap in those sponge top bottles. It just plastic paint.
Hard to find the dye in most stores, but just about every shoe repair place has it.
