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I have River Road bags, kind of rough leather. whats the best to brighten them up but not be a dust collector.
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There is a VERY fine line between "hobby" and "mental Illness"
I don't own a classic I RIDE one
Brad Norton
Kearney, Ne
Photojournalist
Hobbies-Family
rock and tree climbing, rescue ropes, firefighter, Boy Scouts leader, metal detecting and camping
age 49
1980 XS1100SG Special- My very first bike!!! -
Look to the saddle people (as in horses) for that kind of stuff. Here's a thread that gave details on the art of saddle restoration. Lots of different soaps and oils are available for that purpose that will work great for real leather saddlebags.Last edited by CatatonicBug; 10-04-2009, 03:50 AM.1980 XS850SG - Sold
1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).
Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
-H. FordComment
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My Two cents
Having spent my formative years on a working cattle ranch, I learned the following three things about this topic.
1. Clean is King. Saddle soap is your best friend. Don't skimp on the cheapo crap. It is true that you get what you pay for.
2. Time is important also. Take your time and really work in the soap and oils, get into all the creases, especially when oiling. The creases on a saddle (or saddlebag) are the first places that will leak through.
2. All oils are not the appropriate oils. Be sure to buy an oil that doesn't stain the contents of you bags. A dual purpose oil can both keep the leather supple and water resistant. Be sure and read the labels.
I have used mink oil on my working boots for years.Lee aka trainzz
I am my inner child!!
I have no idea how you managed to make that connection within your brain, but I applaud whatever cellular mutation just took place.
1980 XS11 Special-"Thunder Pig"
1980 XS11 Special-"Crazy Trainz" (project bike)
1979 Xs1100 Standard ( parts,parts,parts)Comment
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-sno seal-Flatlander
'81 XS11HComment
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....Works okay.... but almost nobody in the saddle industry uses the stuff because they know that the real strength in leather is it's suppleness, and sno seal doesnt penetrate deep enough. It sits on the surface and waterproofs, as do most beeswax products, and dries reasonably hard. Not want you want for working saddles, but since were talking saddlebags it's probably fine for that. I use it on my hunting boots when I venture into Fiordland for a few days, (2nd highest rainfall per annum in the world) works brillantly for keeping my feet dry.1980 SG. (Sold - waiting on replacement)
2000 XJR1300. The Real modern XS11. Others are just pretenders.
Woman (well, my wife anyway) are always on Transmit and never Receive.
"A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be" Albert Einstien.Comment
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