Hello together,
Dispite scrolling through the net for a considerable amount of time, I have not managed to find a proper instruction on how to replace the leather of a Moto Lita steering wheel.
Can somebody help? I willing to for it e.g. by buying a book.
Any help is welcome.
Many thanks
Fabio
Moto Lita leather repair
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Sugy77
- Basic 850
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mab01uk
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Re: Moto Lita leather repair
Moto-Lita recovered my 1970's leather rim Moto-Lita steering wheel a few years ago, they did a very nice job, so it may be worth contacting them for a quote on cost including secure/recorded parcel delivery service by return:-
https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/pages/bespoke-order-form
https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/pages/bespoke-order-form
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peasantslife
- 850 Super
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Re: Moto Lita leather repair
Fabio, Like all things an amateur can learn to do a passable job, usually given a bit of practice. Do you have any trim-work, sewing experience? You may find you need to do the job several times as you develop your pattern for the wheel you wish to re-cover. Of course the cover coming off will be a good start , but having been on your wheel for many years, presumably, it will have stretched in some areas during fitting and likely shrunk in service, so it wont be what you now need..
Next is probably to consider the material you want to cover with...Automotive 'leather' is a really complex subject in itself. The vehicle environment is significantly harsher than clothing or even upholstery for domestic or commercial applications. Just think about the world you will be placing it in. People tend not to wear leather clothing over 30C except for perhaps its protecting properties where aesthetic isnt a consideration...Upholstery hides will rarely exceed 50C, automotive hides even in temperate northern europe will see closed cabin temperatures of 100C and excursions to 120+C if left facing the -wrong- way on a clear sky sunny august day (but only the quarter above the dash top roll and facing the windscreen)! Conversely should you choose to visit the Northern Lights, your overnight temps will be down at -30C...and from either extreme as soon as you get in the car you whack on A/C or heater either of which gives the hide you use a thermal shock to race up or down to your comfort temp... Humidity? Convertibles and even saloons carry vast amounts of water under their carpets, you may be surprised just how humid your cars resting environment gets! Next, peoples hands, A world of horror and filth is put onto steering wheel covers, Sweat, fake tan, and any number of moisturisers and other cosmetics are just the mentionables. So appropriate stain resistance is a must. Fortunately there are several tanners in germany with the required products to support the german executive car brands...The largest commercial tanner for automotive is found in Northern Italy. Though the market is currently shifting to more ecologically sound products! Moving on to practicalities, there are several stitch styles used on 'british' aftermarket leather rim wheels, If you are going to replicate your existing stitching, I suggest you unpick several stitches to understand the needle passes that were used. A pro probably wont pre pierce the new cover, and may even scarf the hide as he works round. You may find it easier to run your new cover through a machine to pre pierce - where its needed. You will need several curved needles. Inevitably you need to use a hight temperature adhesive....And that brings us to thread...Cotton wont do, you will need a synthetic of an appropriate gauge and strand count. Pro's use a jig to hold the wheel at the centre and either a ratchet or brake to enable them to roll the wheel round as they work...For one or two attempts you can make up something out of wood and use a vice to hold it whilst working round? (and just so you have a marker in the air, we charge £160 for a 'simple' recover in black.- my trimmer is ex-AML lead trimmer, we both chose to exit at the time Mr Stroll entered and wanted to show a cost save as the program I was on transitioned from Launch into series build.)
Next is probably to consider the material you want to cover with...Automotive 'leather' is a really complex subject in itself. The vehicle environment is significantly harsher than clothing or even upholstery for domestic or commercial applications. Just think about the world you will be placing it in. People tend not to wear leather clothing over 30C except for perhaps its protecting properties where aesthetic isnt a consideration...Upholstery hides will rarely exceed 50C, automotive hides even in temperate northern europe will see closed cabin temperatures of 100C and excursions to 120+C if left facing the -wrong- way on a clear sky sunny august day (but only the quarter above the dash top roll and facing the windscreen)! Conversely should you choose to visit the Northern Lights, your overnight temps will be down at -30C...and from either extreme as soon as you get in the car you whack on A/C or heater either of which gives the hide you use a thermal shock to race up or down to your comfort temp... Humidity? Convertibles and even saloons carry vast amounts of water under their carpets, you may be surprised just how humid your cars resting environment gets! Next, peoples hands, A world of horror and filth is put onto steering wheel covers, Sweat, fake tan, and any number of moisturisers and other cosmetics are just the mentionables. So appropriate stain resistance is a must. Fortunately there are several tanners in germany with the required products to support the german executive car brands...The largest commercial tanner for automotive is found in Northern Italy. Though the market is currently shifting to more ecologically sound products! Moving on to practicalities, there are several stitch styles used on 'british' aftermarket leather rim wheels, If you are going to replicate your existing stitching, I suggest you unpick several stitches to understand the needle passes that were used. A pro probably wont pre pierce the new cover, and may even scarf the hide as he works round. You may find it easier to run your new cover through a machine to pre pierce - where its needed. You will need several curved needles. Inevitably you need to use a hight temperature adhesive....And that brings us to thread...Cotton wont do, you will need a synthetic of an appropriate gauge and strand count. Pro's use a jig to hold the wheel at the centre and either a ratchet or brake to enable them to roll the wheel round as they work...For one or two attempts you can make up something out of wood and use a vice to hold it whilst working round? (and just so you have a marker in the air, we charge £160 for a 'simple' recover in black.- my trimmer is ex-AML lead trimmer, we both chose to exit at the time Mr Stroll entered and wanted to show a cost save as the program I was on transitioned from Launch into series build.)
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Sugy77
- Basic 850
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Re: Moto Lita leather repair
Hello together,
First of all thanks a lot for the responses.
There is an old 100+ steering wheel laying around and I do have a piece of Vinyl left. That will be the starting point to gain some experience before moving on to the Moto Lita.
Once again, many thanks.
Fabio
First of all thanks a lot for the responses.
There is an old 100+ steering wheel laying around and I do have a piece of Vinyl left. That will be the starting point to gain some experience before moving on to the Moto Lita.
Once again, many thanks.
Fabio