Brooks Titanium Swift repair
03-26-21, 09:09 AM
#1
The dropped
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
Brooks Titanium Swift repair
After consulting with resident leather saddle expert rhm , I decided to buy a 'broken/parts only' Brooks Swift from Poland.
As advertised:
Leather seems sound obvious problem with the nose.
Nose twists left.
Definitely titanium rails
Broken tension shackle
A quick internet search for me that replacement shackles are still available for around $35 shipped.
As advertised:
Leather seems sound obvious problem with the nose.
Nose twists left.
Definitely titanium rails
Broken tension shackle
A quick internet search for me that replacement shackles are still available for around $35 shipped.
03-26-21, 09:17 AM
#2
The dropped
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
Saddle in hand
I received the saddle in the condition I expected.
Right side shows stretching
Left side in nice shape
As received
I had guessed, and Rudi confirmed, that the fully threaded bolt on this saddle would make a repair easier, as Hercules wouldn't be needed to stretch the leather enough to remove the bolt and shackle.
The key to the repair, a fully threaded tensioner!
This shackle actually seems defective
Brittle failure
Just tighten the bolt (turn it clockwise) to release tension, and back the bolt out of the nose piece! I was worried that the shackle may have an inherently flawed design, but the shackle on the saddle appeared to have obvious flaws from the forming process, and likely should have been rejected instead of used.
Right side shows stretching
Left side in nice shape
As received
I had guessed, and Rudi confirmed, that the fully threaded bolt on this saddle would make a repair easier, as Hercules wouldn't be needed to stretch the leather enough to remove the bolt and shackle.
The key to the repair, a fully threaded tensioner!
This shackle actually seems defective
Brittle failure
Just tighten the bolt (turn it clockwise) to release tension, and back the bolt out of the nose piece! I was worried that the shackle may have an inherently flawed design, but the shackle on the saddle appeared to have obvious flaws from the forming process, and likely should have been rejected instead of used.
03-26-21, 09:25 AM
#3
The dropped
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
Finally, a hero
It took a while for the new shackle to come. Amazon works in mysterious ways, after all.
The most important piece, a titanium replacement shackle.
Replacement part in hand, it's time to repair!
Place the shackle over a rail on the side
Slide the shackle to the nose and turn to face front
Shackle installed
Install bolt
I had to pull the nose piece over the bolt. Note the distortion in the leather.
The most important piece, a titanium replacement shackle.
Replacement part in hand, it's time to repair!
Place the shackle over a rail on the side
Slide the shackle to the nose and turn to face front
Shackle installed
Install bolt
I had to pull the nose piece over the bolt. Note the distortion in the leather.
03-26-21, 09:34 AM
#4
The dropped
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
The shackle has shoulders in the front to act as a fulcrum. Once I pushed the shoulders to the nose plate, the bolt head cleared the back of the nose piece with a pop!
With that in position, I employed an Allen wrench like a spud wrench to guide the bolt head into position as I loosened the bolt (turned counter-clockwise) to extend it.
Align the bolt cap with the node plate's hole
VOILA!
I'm betting that the saddle will resume a more usual shape after a few hot rides, and I'll have used the skills from our community to gain value!
I'm going to give the leather a little TLC, and clean the titanium bits from some of the grime and what I assume is proofide, then install!
With that in position, I employed an Allen wrench like a spud wrench to guide the bolt head into position as I loosened the bolt (turned counter-clockwise) to extend it.
Align the bolt cap with the node plate's hole
VOILA!
I'm betting that the saddle will resume a more usual shape after a few hot rides, and I'll have used the skills from our community to gain value!
I'm going to give the leather a little TLC, and clean the titanium bits from some of the grime and what I assume is proofide, then install!
Likes For Unca_Sam:
03-26-21, 09:46 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,835
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2337 Post(s)
Liked 2,813 Times
in
1,536 Posts
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
03-26-21, 10:01 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,146
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3804 Post(s)
Liked 6,643 Times
in
2,602 Posts
Well done!
03-26-21, 12:45 PM
#8
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,510
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2420 Post(s)
Liked 4,381 Times
in
2,090 Posts
Good stuff. If only they'd break there more often than the other places where repair isn't a feasible option.
-Kurt
-Kurt
__________________
