Vintage Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 12)

次回この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

I would like to close this series on sprung leather bicycle saddles with what I look for when searching for vintage Japanese bicycle saddles.  In the first half of this series 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 1950s: (800 series), (750 series), (900 series)，(500 series), (600 series) and (1300 series) respectively.

Based purely on my experience, the golden age of leather saddles appears to coincide with that of bicycles themselves which peaked in the 1950s. 

1. Stamps
I look for how many times the trademark appears on the saddle.  In the golden-age of rod brake bicycles, manufacturers stamped their trademark into the leather three times (both sides and top). 

(1) Left side stamp

(2) Right side stamp

(3) Top stamp

2. Rear plate
I also look for a plate riveted to the rear of the saddle.    

3.  Leather
Just like humans, saddles tend to form wrinkles (cracks) as they age, and, the leather loses its resiliency tending to sag.

(1) Check for surface cracks.


(2) Check for cracks around the rivets, especially in the nose.  This is true regardless of whether the saddle is used or NOS (New Old Stock).

(3) Check for sagging on the sides.  One can stretch the saddle with the adjusting bolt on the frame nose, or give it a "tummy tuck" (⇐link only in Japanese but photos tell the story).

(4) Check for scuff marks or fading.  These can typically be taken care of with shoe polish and elbow grease as seen in a previous post.

4. JIS mark
Inspect for a JIS mark.  A JIS mark on saddles became the standard in 1958.  No JIS mark is actually a good sign as it may indicate that the saddle was produced sometime prior to 1958. 

It may appear on the rear plate. 

Or, the word itself JIS may appear on the underside of the saddle.


5. Frame
Check the frame for rust, damage, irregular bends, and paint or chrome peeling.

6. Manufacturer
Saddles from the 1950s predominantly bore the bicycle manufacturer's trademark or logo.  The actual saddle manufacturer is sometimes indicated on the underside.  

K.K.K. stood for Kashima Saddle Mfg. (now Kashimax, Japan's only remaining saddle manufacturer)

Fujita Saddle Mfg., Co., Ltd.

I will close this series as I originally started it back in Part 1.  I admit it.  I am old-fashioned. I make a conscious effort to appreciate the simple things and not allow myself to be carried away by mass marketing and conspicuous consumption.  I like simple things that are made well from genuine materials, work well and with care will last a long, long time.  Preferably a lifetime.  I like the fact that, if you take care of "something", that "something" will take care of you.  Sprung leather saddles are a good example.  Leather is great, much like a fine pair of leather shoes, boots,  or a high-quality leather baseball glove, through repeated use they literally mold or conform to one's individual physique for a truly perfect fit.  If one takes care of the leather, the saddle will provide long-lasting comfort.