Since acquiring the vintage Honda saddlebags a few months ago, I’ve been wanting to get them cleaned and treated. Several people suggested that I take them to a tack shop, but my work schedule has effectively prevented that. Doing some on-line research, I learned that what I needed to do was to lightly clean the dust and dirt off with a slightly damp cloth, then treat the leather with saddle soap.
I didn’t know any saddle soap connoisseurs, so I did more research on-line, and quickly learned that discussing saddle soap brands among the horse folk is akin to the religious wars that motorcyclists have regarding brands of motor oil. I did notice a favorite among the brands discussed, a product called Leather New, so I placed an order with Amazon.com.
This morning, armed with my Leather New saddle soap, I rubbed and polished my dry saddlebags per the instructions. I’m pleased with the results. The bags have retained the patina of age, but have a shinier, ‘warmer’ color. The leather has a softer feel, and should repel moisture better. The bags should look nice on the ’65 Honda when it’s put back together.
Saddle bags look good Kevin. Really brings out the lettering and the Honda emblem. Should look good on the bike. Years ago when I bought my first pair of hunting boots I was told that I should put saddle soap all over the boot and even use a tooth brush to make sure all the threads were covered. Then I put them in the oven at a low temperature for awhile until the boot got warm and the saddle soap would kinda get into all the pores and threads and even made the boot nice and soft. They lasted me for a long time. Again that was in the olden days. Good job Kevin.