Brooks Saddle - Is it beyond repair?

cycling_simon · July 2008

Hello all

Only last week I purchased an old racer from the tip for £4 - im not sure quite why I did, but there was something that I particually liked about it!

I am quite interested in the old brooks saddle, but it seems dead hard now and I wonder if it is possible to get it back into rideable condition, or if it is just too far gone. So I have taken loads of photos, hoping that some one will be kind enough to have a look and advise.

I have read the following articles:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3822

but i am not sure what state the saddle can get to before it has degraded too much.

also there are a few bits on the bike that looked a little unusual, so as I had the camera out, I took some photos of them as well.

Any help would be fantastic

Simon

y tin · July 2008

Someone will be along shortly to tell that you've just bought the bargain of the century and the Brooks saddle will buff up nicely with some dobbin...........
.......but FFS man :shock: , wake up and take it back to the coup now. Before it's too late. Jeez.

......actually I quite like the stem & bars....do you think they'd clean up :?

cycling_simon · July 2008

It says brooks Champion Wallow B17, if that helps.

and thanks for the comments y tin

Dickie · July 2008

The saddle is a Brooks Swallow and looks fine it just needs a feed with some proofide. The weak spots are stitching round the stiffening wire and the riveted plate underneath.
Frame I think is 40s at a stretch 50s and the lugs are Brampton. Stronglight c/set, rear mech looks Simplex and is a later addition. Webb pedals I think. Is the h/bar stem stuck?
Looks like a Reynolds alloy l/bkt too. GB stem and possibly bars.Good find.

Slim Middleton · July 2008

I scored a couple of Brooks saddles that looked pretty badly degraded. The leather was in a similar state to yours but the rails and plate were probably a bit less rusted. I polished the rails with some autosol (you may want to use wire wool) and applied reasonably copious amounts of proofide both underneath and on top. The saddles are now perfecly rideable and look pretty good too - obviously they look used but not scrappy. Give the proofide a go - you might be surprised at how nice it comes up.

Nice looking bike btw. Bit of work but should clean up nice.

peejay78 · July 2008

good info from dickie there.

i'd say late 40s, unlikely to be 50s on account of the headclip. gb stem as well - they tend to go for silly money on ebay.

bagpusscp · July 2008

Hayden forks at the front i think .The rear seat stays look mid 40's .See link to an old Mercian.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 676815235/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 676815235/

Hmm;I will find a better picture of rear seat stays.

cycling_simon · July 2008

so is any of it worth anything - If it is il put it up for sale, as I hate to see things go to waste.

If not il take the rest of the bits down the tip again

Had a go with the saddle, it is as people say really comfortable.

Thanks for all your help

Simon

Dickie · July 2008

I would happily take it off your hands

4candles · July 2008

tony_colegrave@hotmail.com

this bloke will fix your seat...

cycling_simon · July 2008

Dickie, im keeping the brooks for my brothers Triumph Traffic Master and doing a little resto on it. are you interested in any of the other bits?

Thanks for the email address 4candles, but I think I will have a go myself.

Dickie · July 2008

Simon,sent you a pm.

Dickie · July 2008

Or you can mail me at

robert.burton@talktalk.net

cycling_simon · July 2008

just applyed the proofide to both sides.

Will buff up the top when it is dry.

Allready looks alot better

Thanks

SamWise72 · July 2008

I used to do a lot of this stuff. That stem, on a good day when the Japanese are awake, might get you £30, believe it or not. The Brooks with a bit of love would get you £40 at least. The bars might be worth something, and if you can clean up the frame, you'd get £25, or more if you knew what it was. It was well worth your £4.

cycling_simon · July 2008

can the saddle be dated?

the serial number is 803514

thanks

regarding parts, I will get them up on ebay in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks for any offer on parts, but I think it would be more fair to ebay them.

Simon

cycling_simon · August 2008

The bars and stem are up on ebay

email me at simon.f.doran@gmail.com

for the bike, I think about £25+ and postage will be £20 with parcelforce

Dickie, let me know as I know you were interested

Simon

Dickie · August 2008

Thanks for the offer Simon. I have just spent money on a new cat and battery for the feckin car, so much as I would like it, I can't afford it. Bagpuss this needs rescuing

mamos · August 2008

Has it had a repair on the down tube?

mamos

bagpusscp · August 2008

Dickie wrote:

Thanks for the offer Simon. I have just spent money on a new cat and battery for the feckin car, so much as I would like it, I can't afford it. Bagpuss this needs rescuing

No room here.I the last 6 months I have been given a Galibier,a 1950's Mercian ,A 1950's Claud {which I skipped as it was to far gone .Only last week a chap at work gave me a Carpenter frame.I also have a 1950 's Viking which may follow the Claud .
I am desperately trying to say with one marque,ie Carlton .
Room is a major issue at Bagpuss towers.Mrs Bagpuss even has to put up with the RRA behind the settee& a Kirk frame on top of the wardrobe :oops: + other scattered round the house.It was that bad at one stage the only room in the house that did not have a bike /bits in it was the bathroom.
The men in white coats came last week;but they went after I told them all the bikes had been to school and did their home work.

Dickie · August 2008

Whats wrong with the Viking BP?

Pete Beer · August 2008

Well if you ever need a good home for any track irons, I'm sure I could help out.

P

bagpusscp · August 2008

Dicke .Some pictures of the Viking.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 777409@N20
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N ... 77409@N20/

531 frame; 231/2; has damage to rear seat stay on right hand side,caused by lamp brackets.Some minor pitting round b/b .Main tubes straight,forks sound .FOC. Postage at cost.

stickman · August 2008

Ask at the Brooks Saddles group on flickr.

Dickie · August 2008

BP I can't say no! Could you drop me a line at

robert.burton@talktalk.net

Brooks Saddle - Is it beyond repair?

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