Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 7)

次回この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

In the previous six posts, Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 1), (Part 2),  (Part 3)，(Part 4), (Part 5) and (Part 6) we took a look at various leather saddle styles from the 1950's: (800 series), (750 series), (900 series)，(500 series), (600 series) and (1300 series) respectively.

Starting with this installment, we shall begin to take a look at tools used to maintain sprung leather saddles.  

Let's start with a tool called the "hammock saddle stretcher". 

You may recall that the "hammock" (800 series) saddle was introduced in the first installment (Part 1)  As the name implies, this tool is used to pull the leather on this style of bicycle saddle taunt.   In the past, prior to obtaining this tool, I resolved the issue of a flabby hammock saddle by giving it a "tummy tuck" (⇐link only in Japanese but photos tell the story).

The hammock saddle stretcher is a fairly simple tool. 



It has feet on one end.


 The feet fit on the front coils.


A handle on the other end which causes the length of the tool to expand when turned.
The holes are for the tension bar which fit between the rear coils.
Holes enable the tool to accommodate various size hammock saddles, child's, lady's and men's saddles.

Simply set the tool.


Loosen the adjuster bolt, turn the handle, stretch the leather taunt and tighten the bolt.
 

It is a handy tool to have in reassembling hammock saddles.

In the next installment, we shall continue to look at another tool used to maintain sprung leather bicycle saddles.