Brooks chop

Got an old Brooks B15 narrow Tie (not Ti) that I'm planning to chop and tie (swallow-ise) this weekend as the tie holes are all ripped.

Anyone done this and got any tips?

i cut down an old Wrights saddle, with big flaps on the side, i went through 3 scalpel blades. looks the shizzle now! there is a thread hiding on here with pics and stuff ;)

ooh ooh I wanna do that. I found somehting on the interweb once with photos and tips an everything, can't find it again though. Damn.

Can't be rocket surgery though can it. Cut bits off= hey presto.

Oh was it here

urrr

butchered brookses make me want to do a poo

http://fixedgeargallery.com/articles/brooks.htm

RPM butchered brookses make me want to do a poo

Must be more comfy then!

I posted some links about this a while ago somewear the forum for chopped brooks / butchered brooks.

I have not done this myself (although am about to have a go with an old Wright's) but try this It looks pretty conclusive

Thanks all.
I did search for 'brooks' and 'chop' to no avail.

found it, not much really
http://www.londonfgss.com/discussion/2973/

Shit, what a procrastinator I am.
Planning in November and still not got to it.

Right, I'll photo as I go for anyone who wants to try.

um, but the swallow is re-enforced underneath isn't it? like two tabs of leathed from sides meeting underneath?

if you chop a broosk pro or other models you're going to weaken the leather, like this one:

it'd be a good idea to mimic the swallow and create that gusset thingumy. plus a dremel is best, and make a card template so each side profile matches.

Yep, was going to join underneath for strength.

i doubt it will be weaker, we're talking 4mm leather ;)

I've butchered a Brooks Team Pro. I just did it with a Stanley knife, it was pretty straightforward.

the sides flare out a bit while sitting on a b17. if you cut the sides would your thighs come in contact with the new edge? might need the tie at the bottom to keep its shape

That is what I was thinking. Also it's old so the leather is softer.

Spent some time over the weekend. Very satisfying.

Bad condition B15.

Chops.

Link.

Polished.

Journey.

looks sweet, nice work! did you polish it up with anything in particular or just proofride/similar?

shit, i forgot to take a photo of my work!

It had some pretty manky old black cracked polish/coating so I just used a bit of leather conditioner to move it about and then buffed it.

looks like its bolted from the flickr set, nice idea.

anyone know what the bottom seat post is on that chopped brooks saddle page?

Looks v nice.

Will try embedding the pic

anyone know what the bottom seat post is on that chopped brooks saddle page?

Looks v nice.

Will try embedding the pic. Argh, can't manage, is bottom of http://fixedgeargallery.com/articles/brooks.htm

Jol

thanks for the flickr set, this is encouragement. I'll save myself £££ not buying a swallow...

Your final result looks good!