help needed from clever people!

[Archiepoo]

hi ive got a new pair of collegiate cheek pieces for my cheltenham gag and ive undone the chicago screw but the leather is too wide to fit through the bit. it needs to fold in half as the bit holes are round! (it previously had stitched in cheeks) is it a question of just working at the leather to soften it or do any clever people out there have a spectacularly clever way of doing it?? hot choc and cookies at the ready.thanks.x

 

[Old Bat]

Errm, I don't think I'm very clever but I think you need special running gag cheek pieces that are already round for a cheltenham.

 

[Archiepoo]

no it is round all the way along except the tab at the buckle end!

 

[Old Bat]

Aha! Sorry, told you I wasn't clever! Soak it in a mug of oil?

 

[chestnutmarelover]

Ive always wondered how you are supposed to thread them thru!!! No help I know, sorry

 

[Archiepoo]

i did it!! soaked it in oil and bent the leather -my hands are aching now but its done!!

 

[Old Bat]

Brill, well done!