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

I wondered where Chew-backa got to!

Yeah, I tried wookie but the hair is too long and doesnt cushion properly. Ewok is surprisingly bristly.
matt

I second that. Besides: The long wookie-hair get stuck in the wheels all the time. How about an ewook rug?

sounds weird but try ikea at loanhead they love there sheep skins them lot

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....

Try IKEA they do them as cheap as I have seen.

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

Don't dismiss junk / charity shops ! Good source of very cheap unwanted unloved future seat covers !!

Someone at Perth farmers market sells sheep skins.

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).]

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?? http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

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

This guy ships anywhere.

http://www.coyote-gear.com/sheepskins.html

Great link AZBill! Thanx, i just purchased one. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif The colour's much nicer than the yellow-orange thing i got in Utah.

...just an up-date. My new sheepskin from http://www.coyote-gear.com/sheepskins.html
just arrived. The price was $39 USD, and i'm pleased to say it is a great deal! The skin is huge, and i can easily make two covers for my pd seat. I highly recomend it!

IKEA.
Brilliant.
I used one for 4 months in N.Africa.

Now it's by my bed. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

By your bed??????Poor Chewy

I got mine from a guy who'd sourced the skin from B+Q.

Hello!

I own a great Aussie sheep skin for my bike. Good stuff, but I have been wondering about the rain. Shall it collect a bucket-full of water in it if I keep it on while riding through a rain front? So far I have removed it in this type of case as I do not fancy sitting in a pool.

Or should I coat the skin somehow to make it waterproof?

+Pasi, Helsinki

These guys not only do sheepskin covers - but rain jackets for them too.

http://goodwool.com.au/bike

Answer to the question from none bikers
'Why have you got a sheepskin seat?'

'Ahhhhh....Sheepskin, it's very good at stopping chafing....you know....when you ride around at night.....naked.'

Say it with a straight face and it workes every time.

Hello mate try this site out
www.sheepseat.co.uk

I'm getting one to help prevent numb bum.

you sheepshockers
 

Chaps - with all this chat about sheepskins - dont you know how tacky they are? You will look like a bunch of Harley riders. Have you no shame?

Naughty naughty!

Perhaps the Harley riders knew something we didn't? and it wasn't a fashion accessory after all. I am wondering now what the real function of the handle bar tassles really are? and will adventure riders of the future adapt them for there motorbikes when they find out there true purpose of the tassles?

maverick bubble

Carefull!! What about tolerance for others?
I might have to revert to my initial impression of London based Africa Twin riders who like camping rough in French service stations.

Don't worry harleyrider my comments were strictly tongue in cheek. I have a fifteen year old Sportster i the garage. I have had it for eleven years and ridden it on two six thousand mile european tours, including riding into Russia. Its never let me down and the most reliable bike i have owned? Bags of character, and that lovely burble from the screaming eagle exhaust on tickover. I have an AT as well now and it has a lot to live upto!

I don't have sheepskin seatcovers or tassles on on the Harley though? LOL

Maverick bubble

Sheep/wool skins
 

Hello there fellow hubbers, I have been using these types of sheep skins and wool covers for many years. They are on my m/cs, bicycle, car, truck, bed and couch. Wool has been known to possess therapeutic properties. Just wondering when cashmere boxers will be available. I cover the wool w/plastic when not riding and if the bike happens to be parked outside. Great site!!rio_perros <*)))))))>{

Ok!
 

I am very tolerant....I won't cry if I'm insulted......please retain any view you have on AT riders.....I'm very relaxed about that...

I remain very worried about the love you lot have for sheep, although I know you find their company "agreeable".
OOOps!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi Maverick Bobble

"screaming eagle"? eh? oo-er! LOL

Bin that Harley, get away on your AT...

In our little riding clan, we always wave to sheep as we drive by.

You never know when you might need one....
and the cage drivers cant work out whats going on;-))