MTFCA Forum

My 11 Touring came with new leather top straps from JV Auto interiors. The straps do not have holes punched in them. How many holes and at what spacing do I punch in them? Thanks, Art

You only need one, in the right place

Seriously, if you begin at an optimal tension when the straps are new, you may find they stretch soon enough, and will need to be taken up again. Generally, the rule of thumb for punching regular holes in leather straps is to space the holes the width of the strap apart. YMMV

Rich, your 'rule of thumb' makes good sense. When I checked a few examples I have, they followed it neatly. Of course, a similar rule may apply to the size of the hole punched.

Allan from down under.

Allan, yup. Hole size should be a snug fit to the tongue of buckles the strap will engage. Of course the buckle should be a fit for the strap too.

Make sure an oval punch is used, not a round one.
Nigel Hugo

hi Art
Our 19-11T was restored from an original car in 19-70 and the straps have 12 oval holes at 1inch apart so maybe thats a guide,
Regards from Aus Ian Oates