Saddlebags

I have no idea how these might come out but here’s what they look like today.

It feels like I could easily break off a piece if I tried to fold anything back into shape.

(Update: 08/05/22) My Initial Attempt: What I tried and what I learned

I started with the left bag. First I cleaned it with Saddle Soap, then rubbed in some Obenauf’s Leather Oil.

For the right bag, I wet it in the bathtub while using the Saddle Soap. This really softened up the leather so I dunked the left bag, too. I didn’t use Obenauf’s on the right bag. I figured it was best to do it later, when it wasn’t soaking wet.

After drying the bags as best I could, I needed to stuff them with something so they would hold their shape while drying completely.

My first thought was to use the air packs that Amazon sends in all my boxes. Lord knows I have enough. But those weren’t firm enough and not shaped correctly to hold that rectangular shape. I thought of cutting up some of the larger Amazon boxes, with the thicker cardboard, and using those to maintain the shape but then it hit me: Pepsi. Turns out 3 cans on their side and an old hard drive fit the width and length of the bags perfectly. And 3 layers of that fit the depth. At least that worked for the left bag.

What I had not realized before is that the right bag is shorter than the left. I presume this is to keep it above the exhaust on the right side of the bike. I had also not noticed that the left clasp on the left bag is the only one that does not have a metal retainer (you know, where you tuck the loose end of the strap) – that single clasp has a leather retainer.

Unfortunately the leather holding the right clasp on the left bag tore when I attempted to close it.

I’ll hit them both with more Obenauf’s after they’ve dried completely.

At any rate, I’m very pleased with the lack of failure so far. They already look better than I ever thought they could. I have some Evapo Rust gel that should clean up the metal pieces. At least I hope it will.

(Update: 08/06/22) Rust Cleanup and more Saddle Soap & Obenauf’s