In a message dated 11/25/03 2:50:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, mrndlmn@toad.net writes: The leather handlebar tape on my 36 year old Hetchins still looks and feels great. IMNSHO no cloth or (arghh) plastic tape can compete so, like so many of us, I've been looking for an inexpensive and available leather product suitable for wrapping handlebars. After many frustrating Google sessions, I've found a source. My shipment arrived yesterday, my bars are wrapped, and things look good. Total cost including shipping for more than enough for one bar was #13.23 - about the cost of "cork" at the lbs.
The problem? The source may offend some delicate sensibilities and the squeamish may not even care to eyeball the product. That said, let me remind you that a strip of garment grade latigo leather neither knows nor cares whether it will be used to wrap handlebars or to restrain a sex slave.
An offer: If you want the product but would rather not end up as an entry the manufacturer's data base and/or mailing list, just figure out the cost of your order including shipping and send me a check for that amount. I'll submit the order in my name and forward the product to you when it arrives.
The folks "Leather Creations" have been very pleasant and professional to deal with to date. They: 1) notified me that there would be a delay in shipping since they were out of stock, 2) notified me again when the product was shipped, 3) tossed in an additional 4' strip to compensate for the delay and 4) returned a $1.73 overpayment in cash.
Enough of this chit chat.
Their home page: http://www.leathercreations.com
The "mini bondage strip" product page:
http://www.leathercreations.info/
On a similar subject, I've noticed that toe strap leather looks similar to tefillin (phylacteries)straps.
We will allow the curious to stay that way. Once knowledge like that gets out who knows, the next thing would be the secret handshake. Imagine the possibilities. Oy!
Holy feet!
Larry Black
Mt Airy, Maryland