I got a good deal on a '60's Brooks pro a few months back because the bolt wouldn't sit squarely, fully into the frame part (that's attached to the rails, not to the leather). This seemed strange, but I was almost resigned to use it as it was.
I ended up mounting the saddle, then using hammer and screwdriver (as a punch and as a prybar, alternately) to move the bolt around until it finally fell fully into the hole nice and straight. Now, it seems like the bike-swap Brooks was almost the deal of the season (Tho I also bought a new and complete 2006 Douglass Ti bike this Spring for under a grand-- what a waste of cash!)
I don't know how bolt length plays into this but the shorter bolt, like you say, allows for much-reduced tension and easier fitment. I backed off fully on the adjuster, btw, before I worked everything into place.
Hope this helps.
David Snyder
Auburn, CA usa
>
> Hey y'all,
>
> I am trying to replace a tension bolt on a Brooks B17 saddle, and it just
> doesn't sit properly. I can't get the head of the bolt to sit in the
> middle of the nose bracket. Any ideas? I started with the recommended 70
> mm bolt, and NO WAY, so I tried the 64mm bolt which allows for,
> theoretically, 6 mm more room, but still no dice. I would appreciate any
> input.
>
> Vicente Saraco, D.C.
> Brooklyn, N.Y.