Mike Barry (of Bicycle Specialties) said... The "Invincipile" saddle was in pretty rough shape when I got it. It had sagged quite badly and the front adjusting screw had been tightened to the limit. I slackened the screw right off and removed it so that the leather top had no tension. I then immersed the saddle in water for a few days. The leather was then quite pliable and I molded it back into shape with my hands. I then stuffed the underside with newspaper and put a toe strap around the middle to hold it all in shape. It was then allowed to completely dry for a couple of days. When dry I applied a liberal amount of Brooks Proofide to the top surface and kept doing so until the Proofide stopped being absorbed. At that point the adjusting screw was reinstalled and the surface was given a good polishing with shoe polish. It seems to me that neetsfoot oil softens the leather too much and it soon sags. I never put the dressing on the underside. The adjusting screw should only be tightened as a last resort. Overtightening pulls the curvature out of the sides of the saddle making it triangular shaped and consequently uncomfortable. May 31, 2008 6:09 PM
Regards,
Richard Pakula Toronto, Canada
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of John D Proch Sent: July 5, 2009 8:51 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR] Saddle soaking
Try soaking it in Red Wing boot oil in a Frisbee or an aluminum cooking pan for a day. Then treat with a small amount of Proofide. Don't use it for a month. It is really a nice touch.
Best Regards, John Proch La Grange, Texas
________________________________ From: nicbordeaux <nicbordeaux@yahoo.fr> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:56:44 PM Subject: [CR] Saddle soaking
To quote Jerry "I made matters worse with massive application of Proofide" ... "It became totally soft and limp". Jerry, I would like to extend my sympathy.
I can confirm this, I left mine to soak in a bucket of water for a long time, and on applying lubricant to the underside it indeed did become soft and limp.
Actually, tried drowning a old brooks pro in water for 24 hours, it came out nice and pliable, so much so that it was possible to lace the "cheeks" together under the rails and make an interesting imitation of what some racers used to do with their leather, eg lace it so that it looks like a "swallow" or "swift". Unfortunately, in spite of applying lubricant sparingly, the thing has become as hard as a rock, with a distinct banana shape. Needless to say I won't be riding it.
Guess I'll be avoiding soaking saddles, it obviously requires some experience.
Nick March, Agen 47, France