Welcome to the FAQ and Information page for ABGMS Custom Bibs.  Here I will try to address some of the common questions that come up as well as the ordering and shipping process

About Leather: Real Leather is a natural product. It was once part of a living creature. It will have 'proof of life' marks to show for it, I call this character.  Hides can have scars from barbed wire, bug bites, etc. I make every effort to buy the cleanest hides and work with the best sections of those hides but no tooling leather will be free of the one-of-a-kind beauty marks that once chronicled it's life

 

My Operations: ABGMS Custom Bib's is a one-man operation, everything you see in the photo galleries was handcrafted by Jeff Smith in the good ol' U.S.A. If you email me I will respond within 24-48 hours. email: abgmsales@hotmail.com

 

Question: What type of artwork can you do?

Answer: I do not supply artwork, I ask that the customer supply the artwork. Once the arwork is recaived I will let them know if I can do it or not.  There isn't much out there that can't be tooled/carved into leather.  There are some items like trademarked logos, copyrighted works, etc. that I stay away from do to leagal issues. If you are going to spend the money for a custom piece, why not truly personalize it with original artwork? Artwork not available to be produced:No drug related or racist artwork.  No Marijuanna leaves, bongs, coke lines, klan symbols, slurs, etc. whatever your fix might be.  I've managed to avoid all that garbage in my life and I want to make sure my kids do too so I won't promote those lifestyles.

 

Question: How long does it take to make my bib?

Answer: The actual build of a piece can be anywhere from 10 to 15 days depending on the size, tooling complexity, color being added, etc.  Now, that timeframe is from the day I start working on your piece.  Actual wait times generally go from 2 days to 2 months depending on my backlog.  During the Spring and Summer I get loaded with requests early and the wait list can get out there.

 

Question: How long will my new leather bib last and is there any warranty?

Answer: If properly cared for, your leather bib should last many years.  I only use the highest quality materials and take great care in the builds but leather is a natural product and sometimes crap happens.

• If a piece does fail due to my workmanship, I will repair or replace it free of charge at my discretion.

• If a piece is damaged due to an accident, natural disaster, act of god, etc. I will work with you to repair or replace it at a discounted rate.

• If a piece is damaged due to neglect, improper care, ex-girlfriend you pissed off, etc. then you're looking at normal prices but if the story is good enough I might cut you a break.

• Question: How do I properly care for my leather?

• Answer:This is a great question for any leathers, not just the ones I make.  Leather is a natural material.  Like your own skin weather, sun and time can take a toll on it without being cared for.  A good leather dressing will do the trick for keeping your leather protected and flexible.Pecard's line of weatherproof motorcycle dressings are inexpensive, reliable and easy to use. Normal Care:

  • Wipe down the leather with a slightly damp cloth to remove road dust and grime.  A soft toothbrush can be used if dirt builds up in the edges and crevaces of the tooled areas.

  • Put a small portion of leather dressing on a soft cloth and lightly rub it onto the leather in a circular motion.  The friction of the cloth will work the dressing into the leather.

  • Let the dressing sit in a warm area (not in direct sun though) for a few minutes to soak in.

  • Use a clean, soft cloth, again buffing lightly in a circular motion to work in or remove any residual dressing.

  Care after being exposed to rain, gas spills, etc.:

  • Blot the affected areas with a dry cloth to absorb any standing liquid

  • Let dry completely.  If gas or any non-water liquids were spilled on the leather, use a slightly damp cloth to pull some of it off the surface.  Do not rub it in.

  • Once dry, reapply the leather dressing as noted in the normal care section above.

  • If the leather was exposed to heavy rain, etc. and got very wet or wet underneath, remove the piece from the bike and let air dry so the felt backing doesn't develop mold.

  • If gasoline or another liquid with a distinct smell was spilled, a solution of 50/50 water and vinegar can be sprayed on the back of the bib to kill the smell.  Let dry completely before replacing the piece on the bike.

  Paint & chrome care:Paint and chrome are designed to be exposed to the air and can show signs of wear with any covering like a tank or fender bib or direct mounted bag.  When buying any direct contact cover for your bike, keep in mind that just like your pants can eventually create wear marks, a bib can as well.  Your paint can also fade differently as the covered area will no longer be exposed to the sun like the rest of the bike.  To extend the life of your paint, take a few minutes 3-4 times a year and remove the pieces to clean the back and the bike area that is covered.  Dust, dirt and other road debris can build up if not removed periodically and this is what will cause abrasions in the paint.  Using a  lint roller to remove this debris will keep it from building up and keep it from marking the tank. Cleaning and waxing the covered area will provide an additional level of protection to extend the life of your paint. I make no warranty to the paint or chrome of your bike related to the use of a tank bib. Basicly keep it clean just like you do your bike.

.