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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
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  #1  
Old 18 Apr 2007
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Thumbs up Sheepskins.

I had been mulling over the idea of getting a sheepskin for my skinny KLR saddle, and today, I fulfilled that ambition. The supplier (which I found on google) is located in central London.. it was a major surprise to me that a sheepskin warehouse would exist in The City, close to "The Gherkin" building.. but there you go.

The 2 guys running the place were very helpful, and even let me rummage though a 2 foot stack of sheepskins until I found just the right one... it didn't exactly break the bank either. Check them out.

Here's where I found them: Stepan Tertsakian Sheepskins - Welcome To Our Warehouse
or..
Stepan Tertsakian Ltd
Unit 9
11 Plough Yard
London
EC2A 3LP

+44 (0) 20 76554944
john@stertsakiansheepskins.co.uk

Punch that postcode into Google Maps, and you can get door to door directions..

Tell them the Irish biker sent you (doing my bit for Ango-Irish relations).

Colm
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  #2  
Old 18 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phoenix View Post
I had been mulling over the idea of getting a sheepskin for my skinny KLR saddle, and today, I fulfilled that ambition. The supplier (which I found on google) is located in central London.. it was a major surprise to me that a sheepskin warehouse would exist in The City, close to "The Gherkin" building.. but there you go.

The 2 guys running the place were very helpful, and even let me rummage though a 2 foot stack of sheepskins until I found just the right one... it didn't exactly break the bank either. Check them out.

Here's where I found them: Stepan Tertsakian Sheepskins - Welcome To Our Warehouse
or..
Stepan Tertsakian Ltd
Unit 9
11 Plough Yard
London
EC2A 3LP

+44 (0) 20 76554944
john@stertsakiansheepskins.co.uk

Punch that postcode into Google Maps, and you can get door to door directions..

Tell them the Irish biker sent you (doing my bit for Ango-Irish relations).

Colm
Cool.. I might give them a bell.

I have always wondered. ! How to you fit the skin ?
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  #3  
Old 19 Apr 2007
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Well, as a short term solution, I've just trimmed off the raggy edges with my trusty German army knife, folded the skin over twice (so I have 4 lovely layers of woolly sheep between me and the KLR), and secured it to the saddle (removed from the bike) with 3 pieces of flat cord, tied on the underside of the saddle. I'll fit it to the bike tomorrow morning, so that plan might have to change, if it doesn't work, or if the cord digs in.

I'm not sure how it should be done more professionally.. I suppose you could staple it to the underside of the saddle like most vinyl seats are upholstered, or you could put a very strong elasticated band around the rim, and have it pucker up underneath the saddle, for a more fitted approach..

I like my approach because it gives me multiple layers of skin underneath me. If someone wanted to steal it though, they could just cut the 3 cords, and bobs your aunty's second husband, it's gone.
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Old 19 Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by phoenix View Post
Well, as a short term solution, I've just trimmed off the raggy edges with my trusty German army knife, folded the skin over twice (so I have 4 lovely layers of woolly sheep between me and the KLR), and secured it to the saddle (removed from the bike) with 3 pieces of flat cord, tied on the underside of the saddle. I'll fit it to the bike tomorrow morning, so that plan might have to change, if it doesn't work, or if the cord digs in.

I'm not sure how it should be done more professionally.. I suppose you could staple it to the underside of the saddle like most vinyl seats are upholstered, or you could put a very strong elasticated band around the rim, and have it pucker up underneath the saddle, for a more fitted approach..

I like my approach because it gives me multiple layers of skin underneath me. If someone wanted to steal it though, they could just cut the 3 cords, and bobs your aunty's second husband, it's gone.

Cool. keep the post updated.

One point though.. Make sure it can be easily removed for cleaning and drying. You dont want to use it in the rain. It makes them stink.
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Old 19 Apr 2007
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Good point.. I don't want to be sitting on something that smells like dead sheep alright.
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  #6  
Old 19 Apr 2007
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I just throw mine over the saddle and run a bungee over it 'behind' where i sit ( dont sit on teh bungee).
They make good pillows.
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  #7  
Old 19 Apr 2007
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Mine fits perfectly under the straps of the tank bag, or i just ty a small rope (1 mm or so) over it, it does'nt take much to stay in place.
Get your own at some eastern european border, mine is from Poland, cheap and the good stuff.
Some guy actually asked me to pick a sheep if i wanted a new one
I think he was joking by the way...
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  #8  
Old 19 Apr 2007
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Hi,
since my saddle is fairly soft and I needed to raise my seatheight anyway (I'm 1,92m) I've put 4 layers carpet between a sheepskin, on the bottom an anti slip mat for carpets. A few stitches hold it and the straps together. Was a little bit of work, but with the additional 2cm and the harder carpet I now feel like king of the road. I've only had it on a 100k ride so far, but it makes such at difference!!!

I was wondering about the rain though. So you guys take that thing off once it starts to drizzle? Or put something over it?

cheers, Andi
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Old 22 Apr 2007
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multiple uses

Hi andy
I use my sheepskin as a pillow,feet heater,as a improvised matress etc.
If you are riding under rain is allmost no problem.But so soon you stoped and its still raining cover it with some foil(nylon) or take it of.
It will make your seat higher and wider.Better for your .......
I fasten it with transglobe utility straps to the seat.Not moving and easy to remove.Cut to shape and remember to sew an cotton liner under the leather.
I use mine since ages.
KH
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  #10  
Old 22 Apr 2007
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Mine used to be a rug


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  #11  
Old 22 Apr 2007
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Might be an alternative to some, Reindeer skin offcuts these are silicone treated to make them waterproof, they are thick dense skins and are available for £30.00 from casper - nordic outdoor in Edinburgh tel 01315538844.
I have not used one myself as still have the sheepskin but may get round to getting one when the sheepskin has had enough. Brad.
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  #12  
Old 24 Apr 2007
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Exclamation Sheepskin ?

Hi,

* Is it real sheepskin?
* If yes, what happens when it heavily rains?
* How do you fit it to the saddle?
* Doesn't it spill like human hair? I mean do you have sheepskin hairs on trousers?

Thx
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Old 24 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Samy View Post
Hi,

* Is it real sheepskin?
* If yes, what happens when it heavily rains?
* How do you fit it to the saddle?
* Doesn't it spill like human hair? I mean do you have sheepskin hairs on trousers?

Thx
*Mine is real,
*When it rains, it gets wet and soggy (not good and will start to smell)
*Fit to the saddle with flat straps or even elastic. You want to be able to *remove it easily for cleaning or heavy rain
*The odd bits come off now and again but its not too bad
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  #14  
Old 24 Apr 2007
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Got mine from SHEEPY HOLLOW sheepskin Seat Covers for Motorcycles

I got a universal pad for a large cruiser to fit my GS single seat.

Works well

J
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  #15  
Old 25 Apr 2007
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sheep skins

The story of Mohamed,
Earlier in the year we we're in Morocco, you know how it is, the wife stops for more than 2 seconds in the street and she's dragged into a shop to look at carpets... being the loving husband I follow with a sigh and then in my best French explain we are on a motorbike how can we buy a carpet..... 15 minutes later and I'm desperate so I say OK, how about a sheep skin for my bike ??? the confused carpet seller shouts out of the window and 2 minutes later I've brought Mohamed, black, thick ready prepared sheepskin .. €17 (I gave in )...

Anyway back home, ready to cut and fit my new sheep skin when the dog decides as it doesn't bite she would pee on it .....

Now its hanging in the garage....
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