Brooks B135 feedback

[Tom from Rubicon]

Hi all,
My Sportsman Flyer80 is nearing completion and I am looking for a well sprung saddle,
Helmutt Xcelsior Motor Bikes posted another build on facebook. I was impressed with the Brooks saddle he used. Bunch of google searches came up with this.
https://www.brooksengland.com/en_us/saddles/leather/b135-2.html.
Very vintage looking like early teen Harley's. What do you think?
Tom from Rubicon​

 

[bairdco]

Those are great, comfortable saddles, but they sit up really high, like 4" above the seatpost.

Every bike I've seen them on looks weird because of that. And if you're going for a boardtrack look it throws off the "low" look.

And if you're short, it's like adding 4" to your ride height. A nice, simpler saddle is the B66S, which is a sprung saddle, but not as extreme, and the "S" is the ladies model, which is wider.

That's just my opinion, but google the 135 and find pictures of it on a bike and you'll see what I mean.

Here's a pic of the B66S on my cruiser:

 

[CrazyDan]

There are a few reviews of the b135 mentioning the mounting hardware is pretty cheap and it likes to flip back on bumps.

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

There are a few reviews of the b135 mentioning the mounting hardware is pretty cheap and it likes to flip back on bumps.

Flip back? Got a link to that complaint?

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

Those are great, comfortable saddles, but they sit up really high, like 4" above the seatpost.

Every bike I've seen them on looks weird because of that. And if you're going for a boardtrack look it throws off the "low" look.

And if you're short, it's like adding 4" to your ride height. A nice, simpler saddle is the B66S, which is a sprung saddle, but not as extreme, and the "S" is the ladies model, which is wider.

That's just my opinion, but google the 135 and find pictures of it on a bike and you'll see what I mean.

Here's a pic of the B66S on my cruiser:

View attachment 98257

Bairdco,
This is the style I am trying to achieve.
http://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/1908-harley-davidson-model-4-strap-tank/
Not that I don't appreciate Boardies but.
My riding style is to be over the road upright

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

A hard look at brooks site says seat height is117mm or 4.606". mounted tight to the seatpost top, but oh so springy.

The seat on it now is a clone with defective springs and one eight the price which will be repurposed as a Picasso sculpture. My huffy has a spring seatpost. Low it is not, but comparable to riding height of my 1972 Schwinn Paramount P15.

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

Looks like there is room.

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

bairdco, went in the way machine, handlebars are Wald 867 handle bars. Wish they were 4" longer back. Might happen if I replicate Harley internal throttle controls.
I have a well equipped machine shop so it could happen.
Right now though getting a two +year project on the road is what needs be done. And then I saw this Friday.

It is a B135.

 

[bairdco]

bairdco, went in the way machine, handlebars are Wald 867 handle bars. Wish they were 4" longer back. Might happen if I replicate Harley internal throttle controls.
I have a well equipped machine shop so it could happen.
Right now though getting a two +year project on the road is what needs be done. And then I saw this Friday.

It is a B135.

That's what I mean, that seat sits up really high. But if that's the style you want, go for it.

Replying to the "flip back" problem, brooks clamps are rarely a problem. I've had 40 year old original brooks clamps that won't move when tightened properly. I wouldn't worry about it slipping unless you're 250lbs and sitting down off a curb.

 

[CrazyDan]

Flip back? Got a link to that complaint?

It's on the page you linked, down in unfiltered criticism. Here's the first one:
1/19/2015
Written by Mick Harris
B135
I recently purchased a B135 for our cargo bike because we are so pleased with our B17 specials and Cambium C17's. The B135 was unbelievably comfortable from the first ride. However, after a week, the saddle tilted backwards when I went over a bump on the path. No amount of tightening or adjustment would keep the saddle in place after that. When we compared the seat clamp to that on a cheap kid's seat, the manufacturing quality appeared considerably poorer in that of the B135. We are really disappointed that such a well-known and (normally) high-quality brand of saddle has used such a poor quality seat clamp. We would have expected the price we paid for the saddle to be evident in every component, as it has in our other Brooks saddles

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

This is the alternative, though Pat has not returned my email to confirm purchase.
https://sportsmanflyer.com/shop/parts/sportsman-cruiser-saddle/
Tom from Rubicon

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

It's on the page you linked, down in unfiltered criticism. Here's the first one:
1/19/2015
Written by Mick Harris
B135
I recently purchased a B135 for our cargo bike because we are so pleased with our B17 specials and Cambium C17's. The B135 was unbelievably comfortable from the first ride. However, after a week, the saddle tilted backwards when I went over a bump on the path. No amount of tightening or adjustment would keep the saddle in place after that. When we compared the seat clamp to that on a cheap kid's seat, the manufacturing quality appeared considerably poorer in that of the B135. We are really disappointed that such a well-known and (normally) high-quality brand of saddle has used such a poor quality seat clamp. We would have expected the price we paid for the saddle to be evident in every component, as it has in our other Brooks saddles

Reminding me to re-peruse the Brooks site was a good thing. I don't care about poor seat clamps. I can make better easy. The interesting thing is a reference to a B190. Now we are talking.
W = 249mm =9.800"
H 135mm = 5.314"
This saddle very nearly replicates an early Harley saddle dimension wise.
Keep the good thoughts coming.
Tom from Rubicon

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

I have to agree about the clamps on Brooks saddles being cheezy!!
You can easily throw a tack weld or fab something up to make it solid tho.

If you're a bigger guy, you might also consider the Brooks lady's saddles!! (they're nice & wide & very comfy)!

 

[bairdco]

The clamp problem must be a new thing. All my vintage brooks clamps are awesome. Except the nuts are that weird british size. I had to make a 9.5/16" wrench to fit them.

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

The clamp problem must be a new thing. All my vintage brooks clamps are awesome. Except the nuts are that weird british size. I had to make a 9.5/16" wrench to fit them.

Most vintage British is Whitworth, used to drive BSA, Norton,and Triumph guy's nuts. Lucky me, I have a full set of Whitworth wrenches in a Raleigh tool kit purchased long ago.

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

I have to agree about the clamps on Brooks saddles being cheezy!!
You can easily throw a tack weld or fab something up to make it solid tho.

If you're a bigger guy, you might also consider the Brooks lady's saddles!! (they're nice & wide & very comfy)!

VMB,
I gave the B18 a good look and decided the flowery tooling might get me in trouble. If Pat doesn't reply soon a B190 is going to happen. Very early Harley like. The saddles for my 1950 FL are comfy but way too Grande.

 

[Venice Motor Bikes]

VMB,
I gave the B18 a good look and decided the flowery tooling might get me in trouble. If Pat doesn't reply soon a B190 is going to happen. Very early Harley like. The saddles for my 1950 FL are comfy but way too Grande.

They have others without the flowers...

Here's a good vintage one that I found on eBay that'll look good on a vintage style bike!!... https://www.ebay.com/itm/1940s-BROO...147635?hash=item1a4bb2a173:g:zxEAAOSwqgpa0mNX

If you want a new one?, just search 'brooks ladys saddle' on ebay!

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

Thanks for all the feed back and reply's, they affected my final choice by offering models not on my radar.
But. The widest saddle has to be my choice that also replicates the early Harleys. So the Brooks, B190 will be the perch for the Sportsman Flyer80. Wish they came natural, Color Black is the only offering. No biggie, will match the bike. Saddle should be here by the weekend.
Photos to follow.
Tom from Rubicon

 

[Tom from Rubicon]

Comes in a Brooks tote sack with complementary dose of saddle Proofide.
Sportsman Flyer offers a recovered in leather saddle. The Brooks saddle suits a Flyer better in matching the rest of the bikes profile. There are some square inches of bearing area to make an all day ride possible.
Tom from Rubicon