Looking for a Leather cover for the I/S trunk.

[fordmano]

I was not sure if this should be here or in the classifieds, figured it would get more coverage here.

I know they were made by somebody at some point.
I would like to install a leather cover over the top of the center section of my I/S trunk I will be installing a Luggage rack and I want some nice way to cover up the holes and cushion the legs of the rack to minimize damage to the trunk lid. I want to ba able to remove the rack most of the time and want the holes that are left covered. I have rubber plugs I will use to fill the holes when rack is off but the holes are in the center (red) section of the trunk lid and I think the black plugs visible in the Red center section will look terrible. This will also give the trunk some level of scratch resistance when the wife lays stuff on the lid.

I have been looking using descriptions like "trunk cover" 'lid cover" "trunk lid cover" and Bib or bra and all of these with or without the word leather in the search,,, NOTHING has turned up so far.


I know I could just make one out of leather but for some reason I just can't find a leather supplier locally. I would like to use fairly thick piece of leather like a good belt is made from and it must be soft almost suede on the under side and smooth/shiny on the top.


Thanks in advance for the help .

Thank,
Matt

[9Ball]

Charles (Ratdog) had his saddlebags covered in leather and they looked fantastic when I saw them at IZ6 in Colorado.

He could probably recommend someone for the job.

[MP]

I have seen a couple pics of that leather covering on the middle of the top of the trunk lid, but I do not know if aftermarket product or custom.

I lean towards custom, because of three years of looking for Valk stuff, I have NEVER seen one for sale.

Contact Carmen Allen, I am sure he can make you a great one!

MP

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Hopnel used to make them but I don't think they stil do.

[John Schmidt]

Star washers will accomplish the same thing and come with a rubber washer/pad under them. They do two things....help spread the load so your lid has less of a tendency to crack, and prevents the legs of your trunk rack from scratching the surface. Then when you remove it after each trip, which I don't recommend by the way, leave the washers in place and use the mounting bolts to hold a chrome cap in place.

If you cover it with leather, you will eventually have two shades of paint on the lid and it will become obvious. You'll spend more time with the leather cover in place than with the rack in place....unless you leave the leather on all the time. A plain jane leather cover would detract from the appearance. One with a design tooled into it will most definitely detract from your wallet....usually at the tune of around $30/hr. plus material. It will sure look neat though. 

[Lt.Gene]

Have you tried "Just Leather" on San Carlos just west of Bascom.  They make all kinds of things in leather and could either supply you the piece you described, or make it for you.

[fordmano]

Actually Lt.Gene,

I have thought about them but my schedule is just so crappy I am sort of stuck searching online as my primary source for anything & everything it seems.

I have Mondays off so I wil probably go talk to them on Monday.
Just Leathers made my first real motorcycle jacket just about 20 years ago now I dealt with the son who is now the owner. I had to have a jacket custom made due to my size and shape at the time. I was 6'1" better part of 290lbs with almost a 58" chest and only a 35-36 waist 19" neck and 37.5" long arms that were 21" around biceps,,, I used to work out a lot back then. That damn jacket ran me almost $600 and that was 20 years ago, I was just starting in college and that was a HE!! Of a lot of money then but my wife decided that I needed a real jacket that would actually help keep my skin on my body "God forbid" I was to go down on the bike and our first son was on his way about that time.

They are good people for the most part and they made some damn fine products, I still have that jacket and even wear it some times it doesn't fit as well now biggest bell and smaller most everything else in the torso region.

Thanks to all with suggestions.

Thanks
Matt

[Ratdog]

First off... after drilling your holes in the trunk lid for your rack, "schmooie" a BUNCH of silicone sealant into (at an angle) the holes, between the layers of the trunk.  This will help to distribute the load, giving support to the top layer of the lid and assist in averting the dreaded cracks.  Then, those decorative metal washers that have a "Star" embossed onto their surface will further contribute in preserving the integrity of the lid.

Find a custom upholstery shop for the covering of your lid.  Mine were done in '06 and are holding up beautifully.  Mine were done by "Rocky" (member here).  Not sure if he's back to this type of work though... he had a horrific wreck on his Valk and we almost lost him.  I hear he's back to working, but has limits to what he's able to take on these days (but, getting stronger and doing "more gooder" than what was expected)... rock on Rocky !!!

Rocky decided my sand-blasted timing cover needed covering and made one for me.



Side view of the bags/trunk that Rocky covered in leather for me.



Some detail of his work.



This pic's a little grainy, same pattern material as the lower side of the bags.



Hind-sight?  Well... one must be VERY careful with the "pointed DOG collar" studs.  If I had it to do over again, I'd opt for the round "spots" that are more traditional.  Rocky started this theme with the timing cover, and I had him just carry it over to the bags/trunk.