Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
sheepskins in the uk sheepskins in the uk
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jul 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
sheepskins in the uk
Anyone know the best place to get small pieces of sheepskin (my bikes got a single seat) from in the UK? Somewhere near to central scotland would be a bonus (yes I know getting sheepskin in scotland shouldn't be a problem but the only places I know sell full skins as rugs to tourists at no doubt inflated prices). Is there any particular type of sheep skin I should be looking for? Thanks for any tips.
matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Jul 2005
jedi knight's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: death star
Posts: 29
I wondered where Chew-backa got to!
__________________
I had survival training but couldn't use a petrol bowser, let alone ride a bike. Claudio! Claudio!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Jul 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Yeah, I tried wookie but the hair is too long and doesnt cushion properly. Ewok is surprisingly bristly.
matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
I second that. Besides: The long wookie-hair get stuck in the wheels all the time. How about an ewook rug?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Jul 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: scotland
Posts: 11
sounds weird but try ikea at loanhead they love there sheep skins them lot
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Jul 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: cardigan,wales
Posts: 249
Greg.
I bought just the right sixe piece of sheepskin for the bike seat,on my last visit to the bonnie land.On the B8001,north of Campbeltown,Mull of Kintyre there's a place called Torrisdale Castle(on the left as you head northwards).It's not far from Grogport.Don't have any phone number i'm afraid,but may be in yellow pages under "rugs".Hope this is of some help.


------------------
Just going for a short ride on my bike....
__________________
Just going for a short ride on my bike....
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 93
Try IKEA they do them as cheap as I have seen.

Quote:
Originally posted by Matt Cartney:
Anyone know the best place to get small pieces of sheepskin (my bikes got a single seat) from in the UK? Somewhere near to central scotland would be a bonus (yes I know getting sheepskin in scotland shouldn't be a problem but the only places I know sell full skins as rugs to tourists at no doubt inflated prices). Is there any particular type of sheep skin I should be looking for? Thanks for any tips.
matt
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 13 Jul 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Excellent tips, thanks. I'll try the Ikea at loanhead, its just round the corner from a powder coating company and I need a few bits done. (Powder coating is the new black!)
matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 25 Jul 2005
Fritz's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 224
Don't dismiss junk / charity shops ! Good source of very cheap unwanted unloved future seat covers !!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26 Jul 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
Someone at Perth farmers market sells sheep skins.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 31 Jul 2005
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 59
Being a Welshman I'm something of an authority on sheepskins. They can move about on the seat a bit, bunch up etc.. My fix was to get some non-slip car boot liner from Halfords (like a soft rubber string-vest material) and to Evo-stick this to the back of the skin. I also sewed some webbing to the back of the skin to tie it to the bike. It all worked brilliantly. On a long trip last Autumn with four mates I was the only one without a sore arse. I had my techno-sheepskin at the HU meet in Derby, and there was a fair ammount of interest. Other tips - trim the skin to your bike seat first, then cut the non-slip stuff so its about 1cm smaller all around. Don't put any evo-stick where you are going to sew on the webbing straps, as the glue will sieze the sewing machine needle. You CAN machine sew through sheepskin with a strong needle - use a sheet of clear plastic (like a carrier bag) to flatten the fleece when sewing - you can tear it off when the work is complete. I'm very sad I know, but attention to detail like this seems to pay off on the road. If anyone wants some pics let me know and I'll send some.

[This message has been edited by Cugel (edited 31 July 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Aug 2005
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Hello. If you can find a shop that makes saddles, you know, for horses, they use a fine grade of sheep-skin to protect the horses back. I recently bought a piece in the US for $9. They ride horses in the UK, don't they??
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 14 Aug 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
They do indeed. I think British saddles are different from North American ones but I know where there is a saddler so its definately worth looking into. I also wondered if it might be worth covering the sheepskin in waterproof material or would this remove the comfort effect of the sheepskin? Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 20 Aug 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 29
This guy ships anywhere.

http://www.coyote-gear.com/sheepskins.html
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 21 Aug 2005
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Great link AZBill! Thanx, i just purchased one. The colour's much nicer than the yellow-orange thing i got in Utah.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 23

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:14.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top