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@JOL
Since a few people have asked about this, I thought I'd do a DIY thread on it so everyone can keep hold of their old and messed up saddles rather than having to buy expensive new ones.
Don't know whether this would work for all saddles but definitely does for turbo style ones and other leather/padded types.
The first one I did was a knackered turbo from LPG with no padding on the front and the lycra falling off. This one is in slightly better shape but cracked and I like the grip of suede for polo. (You can do it leather or suede side up to change the colour etc) (Hipster.)
You will need.
Some leather that you want to use. Alma leather near Bicycle Magic on Greatorex Street near Whitechapel has loads and in lots of colours. Thinner stretches easier, but thicker lasts longer.
An old saddle to cover.
Some Impact adhesive like Evo-Stick.
A scalpel or stanley.
A piece of plastic (Take away box) with straight edges for a spreader.
Step 1.
Cut your leather to a saddle shape with a fair bit over the size for the sides.
Step 2.
Cover the top-of-the-saddle-area and a similar area of the leather in a thin layer of glue. Spread flat and thin with the spreader. Allow to go dry/tacky to the touch.
Step 3.
Tricky part - start at the back and place the saddle onto the leather in your hand. Then smooth the leather along the saddle till you get to the front. Get it right and flat.
Step 4.
Now add a thin layer of glue to the sides of the saddle and leather and allow to dry. Then smooth on.
Step 5.
Add glue to the front of the saddle and the leather. Allow to dry again till tacky. For this part you need to stretch out the ruffles that will happen until smooth. You can reposition if you mess up but don't leave it for too long.
Step 6.
Do the same for the back.
Step 7.
Trim the leather all the way round so that you have a bit over how much there was originally. Cut a few vertical slits into the leather at the front and back so that the overlap is separate and not a ruffle. Add glue to the leather and saddle going onto the plastic a bit. Allow to dry and work your way around the saddle stretching and smoothing as you go.
Step 8.
When dry, use the scalpel to clean up the edges and glue any loose sections down.
You have covered you saddle.
Have a beer to let it dry. Go try it out.
I'll put pics of it on-bike on my blog soon.
http://velojol.blogspot.com/