Couldn't have put it better myself - I have seen other restoration vids where they use fillers and sandpaper and create a good-as-new finish, which wasn't what I was aiming for. This one looks perfect for the well-used and patinated bike it's going on.
Got a vintage Flite for my 2011 Kona Honky Tonk for commuting and maybe some light touring next summer. I guess ill go and get my shoeshine kit and do something similar :)
Satisfying and frustrating in equal measure! The gluing was nerve-wracking because I wasn't sure if it would stick, and the dents where the clamps came off are a slight worry - but overall it's back in good usable condition and looks perfect for a similarly well-used retro build that's coming soon...
There are a few of those on UA-cam - I recall Old Shovel recovered one and it turned out pretty nice. Don't think it was a Flite but still quite decent.
You may have heard this tale, but I once did a ride in a small group on a very wet day with a man in white shorts. Every other turn I was on his wheel looking directly into his third eye.
That's the same version saddle I've been using since the 90s pretty sure they're date stamped underneath in the plastic. Sadly my alpes text is long gone.
I don't have any white leather saddles (the white Specialized Body Geometry ones on my newer bikes are plastic-coated so they wipe clean), but I do have the white Rapha Grand Tour shoes and the easiest way to keep them white is with proper shoe care products such as trainer whitener and leather cream. Also Saddle Soap is good for getting stains out.
I did think that - I'd enjoy giving it a go but I'm somehow pessimistic that whatever you used would just rub straight off with the friction from your shorts when you pedal. Would be interested to know how they did it in the original manufacture, as the little logos are pretty durable.
Nah, that wouldn't work. No matter how perfectionist you're trying doing it by hand, the letters will always come out a bit wonky. It's got to be printed on by silkscreen or pad printing/tampon printing. Maybe there is a DIY-version of doing it, I'm not sure… It might work to use a laser cutter to engrave the graphics in a sheet of rubber. Then glue said rubber to a small wooden block and use it as a stamp to print on the graphic with appropriate silkscreen ink. Or 3D-print the stamp and use that for printing the graphics.
Splendid. I love these saddles
The seat came up a treat with enough patina to look legit. Great job.
Couldn't have put it better myself - I have seen other restoration vids where they use fillers and sandpaper and create a good-as-new finish, which wasn't what I was aiming for. This one looks perfect for the well-used and patinated bike it's going on.
Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for the help!
It was a fun experiment - certainly didn't come up perfect but was great to find out it was possible.
Got a vintage Flite for my 2011 Kona Honky Tonk for commuting and maybe some light touring next summer. I guess ill go and get my shoeshine kit and do something similar :)
I've been using shoe products on saddles for years and the results are always extremely pleasing.
"Go get your f***** shoe shine box!"
Whooo! Nice job 👌🏼
Goodfellas?
Nice work
This looks so satisfying to do 👌🏻
Satisfying and frustrating in equal measure! The gluing was nerve-wracking because I wasn't sure if it would stick, and the dents where the clamps came off are a slight worry - but overall it's back in good usable condition and looks perfect for a similarly well-used retro build that's coming soon...
Merci 👍🏼
Complains of hot house
*Continues to wear long sleeve patagonia*
Haha I love the video
That's just because I shoo the infants out the room and open all the doors and windows. Would die otherwise.
Indentations should come out with some ironing.
It ended up returning to its natural shape over time. Then went mouldy in the garage! After a clean it’s useable again now.
Oh. I thought you were going to recover it. 😕
I've always wanted to see that being done.
There are a few of those on UA-cam - I recall Old Shovel recovered one and it turned out pretty nice. Don't think it was a Flite but still quite decent.
Came up ok. Probably best not use with your white world champion shorts until the polish has worn in a bit :)
You may have heard this tale, but I once did a ride in a small group on a very wet day with a man in white shorts. Every other turn I was on his wheel looking directly into his third eye.
@@red_dread White skinshorts are just wrong.
That's the same version saddle I've been using since the 90s pretty sure they're date stamped underneath in the plastic. Sadly my alpes text is long gone.
Yes, mine's date stamped 1994, which makes it a perfect upgrade for my very special 93 build (next video).
@@red_dread looking forward to seeing the next one.
Love ittt
I have a white turbo saddle in similar condition. which products do you recommend to make the saddle as white and shiny as possible again?
I don't have any white leather saddles (the white Specialized Body Geometry ones on my newer bikes are plastic-coated so they wipe clean), but I do have the white Rapha Grand Tour shoes and the easiest way to keep them white is with proper shoe care products such as trainer whitener and leather cream. Also Saddle Soap is good for getting stains out.
@@red_dread good advice, I will buy some trainer whitener. Thank you very much!
I was wondering if an artistic person could repaint the graphics with acrylic paint maybe.
I did think that - I'd enjoy giving it a go but I'm somehow pessimistic that whatever you used would just rub straight off with the friction from your shorts when you pedal. Would be interested to know how they did it in the original manufacture, as the little logos are pretty durable.
Nah, that wouldn't work. No matter how perfectionist you're trying doing it by hand, the letters will always come out a bit wonky. It's got to be printed on by silkscreen or pad printing/tampon printing. Maybe there is a DIY-version of doing it, I'm not sure… It might work to use a laser cutter to engrave the graphics in a sheet of rubber. Then glue said rubber to a small wooden block and use it as a stamp to print on the graphic with appropriate silkscreen ink. Or 3D-print the stamp and use that for printing the graphics.