Re: [CR]wrapping handlebars with plastic (?) tape

(Example: Framebuilding:Norris Lockley)

From: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
To: "Thomas L. Hayes" <hayesbikes@nls.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <00b701c529a4$c2975480$a046fea9@domain.invalid>
Subject: Re: [CR]wrapping handlebars with plastic (?) tape
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2005 21:52:21 -0800
reply-type=original

Ted the old tapester will try to be the tipster with some titillating tricks on taping. Let's take the loose ends and wrap them up. First, reasons as to why the wrapping direction is important. Visualize yourself on your favorite KoF machine. When your hands are in the drops your weight and grip tend to make your wrists roll outward. Clockwise on the right, counter-clockwise on the left. When your hands are on the flat sections on top, both your hands roll back towards you with weight and pressure. Clockwise on the right, counter-clockwise on the left. Many of you have mentioned many of the steps I am going to go through, so please understand that many of our group have never done a tape wrapping. Those that know this get a glass of Brut Champagne, read along and chuckle. But remember to hold your flute by the stem with your little finger under the base to preserve the temperature and bubbly. Before starting to wrap, peel your brake hoods back to allow for the taping operation to be completed in a smooth sequence. All the guys I know start wrapping at the ends of the bar on the bottom in the direction your hands roll as stated above. Always stretch the tape nicely testing the tensility by feel, use finesse not brute force, and overlap at a slight angle as you move up the bar.When you start, you can overlap a layer and start angling, or use a little scotch tape to hold end or use some superglue. Your call. There is no only way. I don't like to put the tape in the end of the bar, as the plug when pressed in could cut the tape.Start clean at the edge and wrap up. How much you overlap is up to you. Do enough to give a nice look. The overlap will also act as a securing application because the tape gently sticks to itself. The reason we wrap towards the center of the bar is to give the tape a shingle effect so your hands won't curl the the overlap back and allow your beads of persperation to roll under the tape and loosen it while you're suffering uphill. If you wrap the tape nice and snug, it should not unravel or move. If you like, a small amount of adhesive spray is an option We are now coming up to the brake lever where the plot thickens. Two versions. There are more, but I think these best. You could cut one or two pieces of tape, fasten around and over the brake clamp onto the hood with sticky tape where the hood will cover, or wrap criss-cross around the hood to cover the bar and clamp when the hood is rolled back into position. The object being to cover bare bar from showing behind hood. This is mostly for esthetics, it's your bike, if you have a little triangle of bar showing it won't change the ride. At this part of the wrapping, remember that you have to "reverse " direction and come up from the front of the bike and wrap to the back over the top of the bar, stretching properly as you go along. You are now going around the curve to the center of the handlebar. Overlap and wrap as far as you like and then it's time to secure the tape. As mentioned, you can glue it, or wrap some electrical or mystic tape in colors to tape around the end, or as Benoto says on the plastic type tape, one lights the end of the tape with a match and or?, and as it starts melting' quickly stick it unto the tape on the underside of the bar so it doesn't show, and stick it to itself. Be VERY careful with any fire, so you don't hurt yourself. This is a disclaimer so please use caution if you choose this method of holding the tape in place. These basic techniques will work with most any tape style, subtle variations for adaptability will come easy to you. Hope this helps those of you who find taping tricky. Any other hint or tips I overlooked will be appreciated when added by my fellow CR members who are in the know and after their libation should be in the glow. Ted Ernst Palos Verdes Estates, CA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas L. Hayes"
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 1:19 PM
Subject: [CR]wrapping handlebars with plastic (?) tape


Could someone please explain to me, and also to the group if others might find it of equal value or, whether there is a trick, some arcane 1950's method for wrapping handlebars with tape such as Benetto or other similar plastic type of tape, like on a 1950's Legnano. I do a presentable--not showcase job--with tape that has a sticky back. With the other, however, I find regardless of where I start and finish, it ends up sliding or slipping and will not hold for much beyond two miles. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong, though wrong it is, that's for sure.

Thank you.

Cheers.

Tom Hayes Chagrin Falls, Ohio where it finally quit snowing sometime yesterday