Bicycle Mud Flap
Bridle leather was developed for equestrian sport, and its waxed, silky finish is just as good for deterring mud and dirt from bicycles as it is from horse saddles and bridles. The shape channels dirt and water from the fender and keeps it off riders.
Finished size
7½ × 3½ inches (19×9cm)
Materials
1 piece 9–10 ounce (3.6–4mm) bridle leather, 7½ × 3½ inches (19×9 cm)
2 nickel-plated Chicago screws, ¼ inch (0.6cm)
Cardstock
Template
Bicycle Mud Flap Template (idiotsguides.com/leather)
Tools
Precision knife
Straightedge
Cutting mat
Hole punch, #7
Hole punch, ¾ inch (2cm)
Flathead screwdriver
Techniques Used
Working with Templates
Cutting: Using a Straightedge
Punching: Using Hole Punches
Hardware: Attaching Chicago Screws
1 Prepare and trace the template. Transfer the paper template pattern to cardstock and cut it out using the precision knife and hole punch. Place the cardstock template on the leather and trace it using a mechanical pencil.
2 Cut the Straight Sides. Cut the straight exterior sides first, using a straightedge and precision knife.
3 Cut the angles. Cut the angles of the mud flap using the straightedge and precision knife.
4 Punch the holes. Using the #7 hole punch, punch the Chicago screw holes as marked on the template.
5 Make the leather washers. To make the washers, punch two circular pieces from a small piece of bridle leather using the ¾-inch (2cm) hole punch. Measure and mark the center of each round. Punch the center hole of each washer using a #7 hole punch.
6 Assemble and install the mud flap. Unscrew the Chicago screw and install the mud flap by threading the Chicago screw through the washer and pre-drilled fender holes. Tighten the back of the screw in place using a screwdriver.
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