Leather Handlebar Covering
This has been MUCH discussed on the C. R. List , over the past year or so . A number of people have been looking VERY seriously for it .
Well , after speaking with Kai Matsuda , of momovelo , I now know the following facts :
1.) Fujita is still currently in business today ! Great ! They are a very small business , still actively making and selling their products !
2.) Fujita was never officially a part of Fuji bicycles ( and Fuji Heavy Industries is HUGE ) . I had always wondered . Seeing Fujita products listed as stock equipment on 1970's Fuji bicycles made me curious about whether this was just a "house-brand" , or actually an independent business . They are independent , and small .
3.) Fujita is still currently making leather handlebar covering ! You CAN buy leather covering new , fresh , from the current production ! Terrific !
4.) When I mentioned to Kai that several people were EXTREMELY interested in this sort of thing , he was slightly surprised . He said that he contacts the folks at Fujita regularly ( and has visited them personally ) . He has a small amount in stock . He will be ordering more ( probably this week ! ) . He can easily get us whatever we need !
5.) And then Bradley wrote in , from American Cyclery . He has the Fujita leather in stock also !! Terrific !
So ! We have AT LEAST two ( 2 ) sources for the latest stuff , which surprisingly is still in production today ! In alphabetical order :
http://www.AmericanCyclery.com
http://store.yahoo.com/
I am guessing that if we could get together a number of firm orders , perhaps with deposits paid , we might even be able to have some things custom made for us ?? Special Custom Leather Classic Rendezvous Handlebar Covers ?? Anyone ??
6.) For the folks who are looking for leather wrap , in long narrow strips , just like regular handlebar tape , this does not solve your problem . Sorry . However ! Perhaps , the nice folks at Fujita might be persuaded to make some new , fresh , leather , handlebar TAPE ?!?!
It could happen . But we need to ASK them !
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas