I have a brooks professional (not team pro) saddle from a 1974 raleigh and the rivets are 8 mm (1/3") in diameter. All my other saddles of this type have 12.5 mm (1/2") rivets.
1. Did brooks temporarily shrink the rivets on these saddles in the 1970's ?
2. Did raleigh, which was known for sourcing el-cheapo brooks saddles (like the B15 which was a B17 with cheap leather), specify smaller rivets for its brooks professional saddles in the 1970's ??
In contrast to (2), a carlton saddle from 1966 has the standard 12.5 mm (1/2") rivets.
Does anyone know of an affordable non-brooks source for brass rivets in like sizes, e.g. 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm ??
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA