Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we sold and showed our products at local Craft shows. Quite often we would get requests for various types of custom items. This Indian Sissy Bar leather cover was requested by a customer that we met at one of our craft shows at Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City.
Luckily, the customer was able to leave the sissy bar with me so that I could make sure that the fit was just right. The customer and I had originally discussed a wrap around the outside of the sissy bar with a Red lace crisscross in front holding it all together. I designed it, keeping in mind that it would have to stand up to wind while the motorcycle was in motion. This one took a bit of thought and design as I wanted to avoid the problem of parachuting while the motorcycle was being ridden. So, I penciled my pattern on cardboard for the inside area of the Sissy Bar and added an inch and three quarters to accommodate the stitching. I envisioned a nice, tight double loop lace to hold it all together while looking like a crown around the perimeter of the sissy bar. For the back panel with the Indian script, I traced the original pattern and cut a panel out of 6-7 ounce veg tanned cowhide then carved the Indian script and painted it Red as the customer requested.
The customer liked the look of the Black Glazed Pigskin because he said that it looked like the leather on the seat of his motorcycle. So, the cover of the sissy bar is the Black Glazed Pigskin with a 6-7 ounce leather panel that has 6 coats of Acrylic Resolene to protect the leather panel from the weather elements. After I hand stitched the panel to the back piece of the pigskin cover, assembled and laced the cover, I slid it down on the sissy bar and I was pleased that the fit was even and snug. I decided to add grommets in front and made small straps to hold the sissy bar in place as an added protection against it coming off in the wind.
It was a satisfying project and the customer was pleased with the work. I told him that I welcome any more such requests as I like the challenge. Being able to make these types of products out of leather are what takes the leather crafter to the next level and makes the leathercraft more than just a hobby.
Until next time, All the best.
Frank, the Leather Guy
Luckily, the customer was able to leave the sissy bar with me so that I could make sure that the fit was just right. The customer and I had originally discussed a wrap around the outside of the sissy bar with a Red lace crisscross in front holding it all together. I designed it, keeping in mind that it would have to stand up to wind while the motorcycle was in motion. This one took a bit of thought and design as I wanted to avoid the problem of parachuting while the motorcycle was being ridden. So, I penciled my pattern on cardboard for the inside area of the Sissy Bar and added an inch and three quarters to accommodate the stitching. I envisioned a nice, tight double loop lace to hold it all together while looking like a crown around the perimeter of the sissy bar. For the back panel with the Indian script, I traced the original pattern and cut a panel out of 6-7 ounce veg tanned cowhide then carved the Indian script and painted it Red as the customer requested.
The customer liked the look of the Black Glazed Pigskin because he said that it looked like the leather on the seat of his motorcycle. So, the cover of the sissy bar is the Black Glazed Pigskin with a 6-7 ounce leather panel that has 6 coats of Acrylic Resolene to protect the leather panel from the weather elements. After I hand stitched the panel to the back piece of the pigskin cover, assembled and laced the cover, I slid it down on the sissy bar and I was pleased that the fit was even and snug. I decided to add grommets in front and made small straps to hold the sissy bar in place as an added protection against it coming off in the wind.
It was a satisfying project and the customer was pleased with the work. I told him that I welcome any more such requests as I like the challenge. Being able to make these types of products out of leather are what takes the leather crafter to the next level and makes the leathercraft more than just a hobby.
Until next time, All the best.
Frank, the Leather Guy
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