Guest human4m Posted February 17, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 17, 2010 One of the leather straps on the bags of my 97 RS is short! It's apparently not been taken care of before I bought it. The strap looks like it suffered some pretty serious shrinkage, and I am looking for some good tips to stretch it back out. I've got plenty of leather treatments, but they're for cleaning & protecting... My father in law told me to soak the strap in water, then stretch it out by hand, little by little. Soak-Stretch-Dry-Treat. He said do this a couple times and I should be able to get it where I need it to be. The bags are the hard-leather bags (ABS covered with leather) if that helps. I'll try to post pictures if I remember when I get home tonight. **On a side note, I'm not so concerned with the aesthetics of the leather after stretching, it's the structural integrity of the 'belt' I'm worried about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted February 17, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 17, 2010 Try this.... http://www.medievality.com/the-rack-torture.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kregerdoodle Posted February 17, 2010 Share #3 Posted February 17, 2010 I bet that would do it.... Try this.... http://www.medievality.com/the-rack-torture.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest seuadr Posted February 17, 2010 Share #4 Posted February 17, 2010 get it wet is the best way. it won't affect the integrity much as long as you do it slow. this is how they make raw hide drums, etc etc and they can last for centuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted February 17, 2010 Share #5 Posted February 17, 2010 I really have to apologize.... a guy asks a legitimate question with the anticipation of receiving a responsible and informative response and a guy like me comes along with a ridiculous offering.... geeeesh, I really need to get out for a ride! :eek: I would suspect what your father-in-law said would be the way to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBoyinMS Posted February 17, 2010 Share #6 Posted February 17, 2010 You could also check with a local shoe repair shop (or leatherwork shop) and see what they could do about replacing that one or all 4 (6?) to match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragerman Posted February 17, 2010 Share #7 Posted February 17, 2010 I really have to apologize.... a guy asks a legitimate question with the anticipation of receiving a responsible and informative response and a guy like me comes along with a ridiculous offering.... geeeesh, I really need to get out for a ride! :eek: I would suspect what your father-in-law said would be the way to do it. We can write it off as PMS (though it was quite funny) PS. I'm still laughing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest human4m Posted February 17, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 17, 2010 Try this.... http://www.medievality.com/the-rack-torture.html D'oh! I JUST sold my medieval torture rack on eBay! I knew I should've kept it around a little bit longer, but the wife got tired of looking at it! I didn't even think about checking with the local shoe shop. Strangely enough there is one in Jacksonville, NC. (Home of our Heroes - Camp Lejeune) It really is just like a leather belt strap. I'll try that route if the long-term, slow stretch doesn't work. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini-muffin Posted February 17, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 17, 2010 You can always get up with Beer30 he lives near you. He does a lot of leather. He has leather all over his bike. Check out his profile I'm sure there's pics of the bike on there. Oh by the way I think he's gonna fit in around here with no problem. Margaret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalstarjac Posted February 17, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 17, 2010 I find it hard to believe it would shrink very much. I have plenty of extra length on my straps. Are you sure it shrunk or did it break at some time in the past? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted February 17, 2010 Share #11 Posted February 17, 2010 D'oh! I JUST sold my medieval torture rack on eBay! I knew I should've kept it around a little bit longer, but the wife got tired of looking at it! now tell the truth.... it was more like you got tired of her torturing you....wasn't it??? fess up!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest human4m Posted February 18, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 18, 2010 now tell the truth.... it was more like you got tired of her torturing you....wasn't it??? fess up!! She doesn't need a rack to do that... All she has to do is cook dinner.... --> royalstarjac It still has the same amount of leather in the fold at the top of the bags, and the same number of holes. I think it's a combination of the strap, and the leather that covers the lid shrinking, 'cause I saw plastic peeking out of it too. I'm gonna go poke around and look for Beer30... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bvinson Posted February 18, 2010 Share #13 Posted February 18, 2010 Send a message to Beer30 he is the leather guru of the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEER30 Posted February 21, 2010 Share #14 Posted February 21, 2010 Give me a call . I have an item called Shoe-Stretch . All I have to do is spray it , as it's an alcohol based liquid that dries very quickly . If it's a goner , I have some leather available and we can make another if necessary. By the way , bring the wife . I have a torture rack myself ! BEER30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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