Leather accessories are the flagship of biking gear. There
is no other product that symbolizes the style, power,
and performance of a ride than leather does. Just like all motorcycles, leather needs maintenance and even
a total restoration at times to stay in peak conditions.
When you have the right leather riding gear, you feel unstoppable. You may even feel
that short of crash your equipment will last forever. Without the proper maintenance, your leathers will discolor,
stiffen and even become brittle. If this decay happens
not only will your equipment look bad but your gear will be more likely to shred
apart in an accident.
With regular maintenance,
your leather will look better, last longer
and even feel better for decades to come.
How to maintain your leather gear
1. Salt is your worst enemy
Salt has been used to cure meats for
centuries, it dries and hardens to
preserve. All leather is an animal hide, and if you leave it covered in salt, it will dry, become brittle and start to
crack. Every time you wear your leathers on a hot day you are putting trace
amounts of salt into the leather building up over time.
To get rid of salt stains smells and the deterioration, get a good
desalter and apply it using a clean rag
to rub it in. Make sure to go over stitching, seams and high sweat areas.
2. Dirt and grime build up over time.
Our bodies do the dirty work inside
the gear as we sweat along our ride. The roads have their version of build up
to add. Dirt, pollen and other particles in their air do their part in weakening
and aging your leathers.
Using a leather shampoo and a clean
rag go over any areas with excessive
amounts of grim or discoloration. You’ll for sure want to get the chest, shoulder, and elbows as they take the direct
wind while riding.
3. Conditioning is Key
Conditioning is the most crucial
part of leather maintenance. Conditioning aids in keep leather gear strong,
pliable and protective. If you are consistent (every other month or so) with conditioning, it will also have the benefit repelling
sweat and dirt more easily.
When using conditioner spray down
the jacket then work it in with a sponge. Allow it to dry then buff out the leather to give it a good sheen and remove
excess conditioner. Always make sure your leathers are clean before
conditioning though to avoid trapping in dirt and sweat in it.
If you follow these steps,
your leathers will last longer, look better and be more protective over the
years. Want to go the easy route? Then have us do it for you, Thunder Rode takes great pride in our leather
restoration and repair services.
We can get even the oldest leathers back in
great condition or maintain news ones for peak comfort
and protection.
Email
Jack Alexander
or call 928-542-6059 for
all inquiries. Not a resident of AZ? No worries you can even mail your leathers in and get them looking great
again.
