I’ve got a 1985 Schwinn (made in Japan) Super Le Tour that is wrapped identically to your Treks. Same black (faded to green). Almost identical brake levers. Just got it ($75 and it looks pristine) so that’s why I’m watching this video now. Thanks RJ!!
Looks like a lot of vintage, especially early-mid 70's bikes were wrapped like this. My 1976 Soma Competition is identical, but with red tape. Haven't taken it off yet to see if it's adhesive. Mine are also brown. You can clearly tell they were red, but where the hands were and everywhere else is considerably more brown than the bright red they used to be. Thanks for the video! Absolutely invaluable information. This sorta stuff is hard to come by. I was originally gonna use cloth tape around my bars, but I wanted something a bit more modern so I don't think I'll be using this method exactly.
Neat! I am working on getting my dads 1977 green second road bike back into shape. Not a real restoration, but I am getting it to to point I can enjoy it. The bar tape was so fried that the adhesive was stronger than the fibers, so it fell apart as you pulled it off. Also, it was sitting the same way in the garage for so many years that one side of the bars was a light tan while the other was a more brown, but they were originally black tape wrapped the same way. I really appreciate your vids and they are at the perfect timing for what I am doing right now.
My koga miyata gents lux-s (early 80's) also had the factory bar tape on it ( the gentleman i bought it from rode it twice before storing it for 30 years). But the original bar tape was differently wraped then this bike. The brake levers were taken of and only the mounting bolts were left. Then the bar tape was aplied. After the bar tape was aplied the brake levers were fitted. This way you dont have exposed metal, but a nice coverage of tape. Interesting to see a different style.
I just followed your great detailed video wrapping my bars but used Velox Tressorex. It left me enough to for off cuts to put behind the brake levers and still had extra on the roll.
Awesome video on wrapping tape and being sensitive to detail on an original vintage bike! I really liked how descriptive you were and how precisely things were measured and considered. Btw, I know *someone* out there makes weinmann-style replacement hoods for those levers that ought to fit better than those campy hoods, maybe it was rustines??
The better system is the one you grew up with. Once any system is a learned one, that's the better system. That's like saying one language is better than another, its all communication, just like measuring systems, it all works. Please, don't ridicule Americans on our measuring system, if you don't like it, go else where to watch only European UA-cam.
Even the UK has left inches and feet by now, and conservatism is in our very nature. So, it’s just a question of time before the Americans give it up as well. After all, the metric system is more precise and an international standard.
I suppose I should google this before I ask but what is that "Sakae custom" engraved/imprinted emblem on the handlebars indicate? I have a really nice old road bike I got and returned to use that has that same exact handlebar detail on it. Same hoods, virtually the same color. I like that kind of tape. We always called it 'Hockey" Tape though I know it to be Friction Tape and for things like shovels or axes or splitting mauls it sure is the best at reducing blisters without the need to wear gloves. You have a fantastic attention to minute detail, RJ.
Thanks RJ, this has been a big help. Most bikes that come my way are Mountain Bikes of some sort. I have done a couple of road bikes where the tape has needed to be replaced but had no real idea of how to do it, so although it looked "okay" when I was done it was easy to tell a rooky did it lol.
Just so you know, this is more of a vintage way to wrap handlebars, so you might look to other vids to see the modern way, cause if you do this with modern non cloth tape, you will ruin the tape. Have fun! :)
Yes, for modern tape you want to wrap the tape from the ends of the bars in. I have a video on that here: ua-cam.com/video/n-BMsC0Ao-o/v-deo.html This video was specifically for cloth tape and wrapping a vintage Trek in a factory original style.
I have a flat handlebar on a fixed gear bike. I ordered a roll of Tressorex orange cloth tape. I can't seem to find a video about wrapping flat handlebars, let alone wrapping flats with cloth tape. Which method should I use to keep the tape undamaged for the longest time possible? Center to end, or end to center? Should I roll it forward or backwards? I read somewhere that cyclists usually wrap the tape in reverse directions (one side rolls forward, one side rolls backward). Consider that on a fixed gear you have to stand to relieve the rear wheel from some weight, hence, the handlebar is gripped and pulled up unconsciously while skidding and jump stopping. That is why I want to wrap it perfectly so it doesn't unwrap or detach when pushing down on the bar, or pulling up.
Thanks. Do you think the bars will be too hard with a 2mm cloth tape? I'd like to add some packing sponge (foam), the 2mm thick layer that chinese sellers usually use to wrap very fragile items -.- I think it might work out great, if I go slow and make sure that everything adheres tightly.
very informative. I didn't know about cloth bar tape on 80s something bikes, I had previously been planning to use lizard skins or leather bar tape to replace the foam on my '84 world sport, but I might give this a try since its correct to the period, and may be cheaper than leather. let me know how the cloth feels on the ride.
Whew - I have been wrapping my bars right all these years (same style cloth tape on my '84 Bianchi). Any idea's on where to get cloth tape in blue though (I can get black, white, and red, but I can never find it in blue - and I know the tape was blue originally (it's black now and due for a rewrap).
I realise you'll have solved this problem a long time ago Reggie, but for others reading your question in future, try and find a shop that sells Newbaum's cloth tape. They currently make it in 19 different colours (several of which are a shade of blue)!
Great job RJ. I have an idea for a future video. How to remove and reinstall and old style riveted head badge. Say if you want to paint the frame. I've removed them before but never reinstalled them.
i used to do a dry run to ensure the tape length was long enough before committing to wrapping it up. the bar tape that i used in the late 80's had a thin waxed plastic strip (like the backing on bumper stickers) that covered the adhesive down the centre,i just used some masking tape (or similar) to secure the leading end to ensure that it couldn't slip & did a rough 50/50 overlap to check the overall length,the manufacturers must really be watching their bottom line these days & just gluing it onto itself,lol :) i'm also wondering why (like oingo boingo) why you didn't clean off the old adhesive?,shame u didn't show the bars with the finished tape at the the end of the video :(
I enjoy your bike repair videos RJ keep making them can you make a video on how too convert from off brand V break break leavers too shimanno V break break leavers
honestly i would just go with fome handlebar tape its alot softer on your hands and cloth tape wares out easy and its not that easy to get a hold of some most bike tape maker dont make them since there out of style
+RJ The Bike Guy im not saying people should never use cloth, i do agree it looks better but some times new is better considering most people dont change there handlebar tape and fome lasts longer
+RJ The Bike Guy hey since you are alrady talking to me and you know alot more about bikes then me. what do you think of 3 spoke bike wheel on a vintage bike, i have a late 1979 swinn and i was think about getting one would it look out of place? i wannted to reduce weight on my bike and 3 spoke tires look awsome
Heh, my Puch Cavalier has the same SR bars. I know it didn't come that way, but I don't think I could resist to go ahead and use the couple of extra strips to take up those gaps.
The adhesive is already applied to the cloth tape. The whitish color left on the handlebar is just residue, which is a pain in the ass to remove. Although, there is no need to remove it since you are going to wrap it again.
No, there's no need to remove old adhesive though I generally do so. Although the bars are about to be re-covered, it's nice to see the pristine shiny ali/chrome before the new tape is applied. To remove, use a solvent (eg Jizer or isopropyl alcohol) and cotton rag.
Pls help!!! So on my mongoose bike it wont shift gears at all and when i shift the wire gets loosen. For me to shift i have to move my chain to the gear but if i move it manually from 4-7 it will go back to gear 3. What do u think the problem is and do u have a video on it and if so can u link it for me thx.
RJ - I have cloth tape on my (original owner) 1974 Grand Prix that really needs to be redone, So I ppreciate you reminding me to do it! Also - I noticed that rear wheel bike stand for the first time. It seemed very stable, although I've seen very mixed reviews for it. Do you use it mostly to park your bikes or do you use it for repairs too (besides handlebar tape)? Thanks again!
i have got bar end shifter that are supposed to run on the inside of the tape and my brakes also go on the inside of tape and i have clotch tape, is there a professional way to solve this?
i always wrap my tape inside to out, even cork, just keep it taught all the way through. some rolling will occur but id rather have that then replace my tape every 6 months because they basically give you a strip of electrical tape to use on the inside ends, scam. Modern capitalist always have a good excuse why thing need to be done a certain way that cost more money and need to be replaced more often. also even with cloth tape especially the new stuff rolling "can" still occur. only tape that iv seen that never rolls is the old school schwinn vinyl which is kinda wretched in terms of comfort.
+Dan Nimoy I use regular electrical tape, wrap it multiple times and then maybe finish it off with the included piece. Lasts a long time and no rolling.
+RJ The Bike Guy true thats the only way to make it last but the problem is if left in the sun the tape "may" get gooey. inside out requires no electrical tape, looks cleaner for longer with just minor rolling. if you haven't notice iv been binge watching all your vids love em.
For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy
I have the grey with blue and yellow decals of this vintage trek (and love it!) Do you have a site/blog documenting your restore?
@@beforedawn Not really. Just a few videos of bits of it.
I’ve got a 1985 Schwinn (made in Japan) Super Le Tour that is wrapped identically to your Treks. Same black (faded to green). Almost identical brake levers. Just got it ($75 and it looks pristine) so that’s why I’m watching this video now. Thanks RJ!!
Looks like a lot of vintage, especially early-mid 70's bikes were wrapped like this. My 1976 Soma Competition is identical, but with red tape. Haven't taken it off yet to see if it's adhesive. Mine are also brown. You can clearly tell they were red, but where the hands were and everywhere else is considerably more brown than the bright red they used to be. Thanks for the video! Absolutely invaluable information. This sorta stuff is hard to come by. I was originally gonna use cloth tape around my bars, but I wanted something a bit more modern so I don't think I'll be using this method exactly.
And this is why I enjoy your videos
Neat! I am working on getting my dads 1977 green second road bike back into shape. Not a real restoration, but I am getting it to to point I can enjoy it. The bar tape was so fried that the adhesive was stronger than the fibers, so it fell apart as you pulled it off. Also, it was sitting the same way in the garage for so many years that one side of the bars was a light tan while the other was a more brown, but they were originally black tape wrapped the same way. I really appreciate your vids and they are at the perfect timing for what I am doing right now.
Top notch job with the cloth bar tape, RJ 👍
My koga miyata gents lux-s (early 80's) also had the factory bar tape on it ( the gentleman i bought it from rode it twice before storing it for 30 years). But the original bar tape was differently wraped then this bike. The brake levers were taken of and only the mounting bolts were left. Then the bar tape was aplied. After the bar tape was aplied the brake levers were fitted. This way you dont have exposed metal, but a nice coverage of tape. Interesting to see a different style.
I love it thinking of putting it on my track bike
Thank YOU for you wonderful video pretty amazing Handyman!
newbaum's bar tape is very good and long lasting!
Der Von Nebenan just want to double check , I need to purchase 2 sep rolls?
Jesse Uriostegui yes
Watching this because I going to try re-taping my 1984 Claud Butler Sierra in a few minutes...
How'd it go?
Pretty good, thanks for asking! Your video was very useful, especially going around the brake levers.
That is the toughest part.
I just followed your great detailed video wrapping my bars but used Velox Tressorex. It left me enough to for off cuts to put behind the brake levers and still had extra on the roll.
Wow!
Awesome video on wrapping tape and being sensitive to detail on an original vintage bike! I really liked how descriptive you were and how precisely things were measured and considered. Btw, I know *someone* out there makes weinmann-style replacement hoods for those levers that ought to fit better than those campy hoods, maybe it was rustines??
IDK. Hoods for old levers can be hard to find.
Well done Sir! Many thank yous and thumbs up. Boss video!
I work in my socks in the garage as well. ;) Great video!!!!
Thank you for using the metric system! I hope Americans understand which system is better, sooner or later.
There are two types of countries. Countries that use the metric system, and countries that have landed on the moon.
I wish you hadn't brought that up. I was sure you were on our side.
The better system is the one you grew up with. Once any system is a learned one, that's the better system. That's like saying one language is better than another, its all communication, just like measuring systems, it all works. Please, don't ridicule Americans on our measuring system, if you don't like it, go else where to watch only European UA-cam.
Even the UK has left inches and feet by now, and conservatism is in our very nature. So, it’s just a question of time before the Americans give it up as well. After all, the metric system is more precise and an international standard.
very useful - thanks
Thanks! I'm wrapping my 1980 414. This helps a lot. I have the same cable clips on the top tube as well. I guess those are original.
I suppose I should google this before I ask but what is that "Sakae custom" engraved/imprinted emblem on the handlebars indicate? I have a really nice old road bike I got and returned to use that has that same exact handlebar detail on it. Same hoods, virtually the same color. I like that kind of tape. We always called it 'Hockey" Tape though I know it to be Friction Tape and for things like shovels or axes or splitting mauls it sure is the best at reducing blisters without the need to wear gloves. You have a fantastic attention to minute detail, RJ.
Thanks RJ, this has been a big help. Most bikes that come my way are Mountain Bikes of some sort. I have done a couple of road bikes where the tape has needed to be replaced but had no real idea of how to do it, so although it looked "okay" when I was done it was easy to tell a rooky did it lol.
Just so you know, this is more of a vintage way to wrap handlebars, so you might look to other vids to see the modern way, cause if you do this with modern non cloth tape, you will ruin the tape. Have fun! :)
Yes, for modern tape you want to wrap the tape from the ends of the bars in. I have a video on that here: ua-cam.com/video/n-BMsC0Ao-o/v-deo.html
This video was specifically for cloth tape and wrapping a vintage Trek in a factory original style.
Thanks :)
I have a flat handlebar on a fixed gear bike. I ordered a roll of Tressorex orange cloth tape. I can't seem to find a video about wrapping flat handlebars, let alone wrapping flats with cloth tape. Which method should I use to keep the tape undamaged for the longest time possible? Center to end, or end to center? Should I roll it forward or backwards? I read somewhere that cyclists usually wrap the tape in reverse directions (one side rolls forward, one side rolls backward).
Consider that on a fixed gear you have to stand to relieve the rear wheel from some weight, hence, the handlebar is gripped and pulled up unconsciously while skidding and jump stopping. That is why I want to wrap it perfectly so it doesn't unwrap or detach when pushing down on the bar, or pulling up.
If it were me, I would wrap them like in this video from the center out in the same direction as I do it here.
Thanks. Do you think the bars will be too hard with a 2mm cloth tape? I'd like to add some packing sponge (foam), the 2mm thick layer that chinese sellers usually use to wrap very fragile items -.- I think it might work out great, if I go slow and make sure that everything adheres tightly.
I can't tell you what will be too hard for you. Frankly with flat bars, I'd go with grips.
Thank you, i can do it now
Frankly, d color of the initial tape also d toughness of d tape was far better than the new one.. Nyways, thanks for the video.
Fantastic! Thank you for posting this very helpful video. I've really been enjoying your channel - keep up the great work!
very informative. I didn't know about cloth bar tape on 80s something bikes, I had previously been planning to use lizard skins or leather bar tape to replace the foam on my '84 world sport, but I might give this a try since its correct to the period, and may be cheaper than leather. let me know how the cloth feels on the ride.
Less cushioning.
Whew - I have been wrapping my bars right all these years (same style cloth tape on my '84 Bianchi). Any idea's on where to get cloth tape in blue though (I can get black, white, and red, but I can never find it in blue - and I know the tape was blue originally (it's black now and due for a rewrap).
I realise you'll have solved this problem a long time ago Reggie, but for others reading your question in future, try and find a shop that sells Newbaum's cloth tape. They currently make it in 19 different colours (several of which are a shade of blue)!
Great job RJ.
I have an idea for a future video. How to remove and reinstall and old style riveted head badge. Say if you want to paint the frame. I've removed them before but never reinstalled them.
i used to do a dry run to ensure the tape length was long enough before committing to wrapping it up.
the bar tape that i used in the late 80's had a thin waxed plastic strip (like the backing on bumper stickers) that covered the adhesive down the centre,i just used some masking tape (or similar) to secure the leading end to ensure that it couldn't slip & did a rough 50/50 overlap to check the overall length,the manufacturers must really be watching their bottom line these days & just gluing it onto itself,lol :) i'm also wondering why (like oingo boingo) why you didn't clean off the old adhesive?,shame u didn't show the bars with the finished tape at the the end of the video :(
gr8 vid m8. i r8 8/8
I enjoy your bike repair videos RJ keep making them can you make a video on how too convert from off brand V break break leavers too shimanno V break break leavers
oh that cloth tape looks cool. I wonder if it is comfy too
honestly i would just go with fome handlebar tape its alot softer on your hands and cloth tape wares out easy and its not that easy to get a hold of some most bike tape maker dont make them since there out of style
+Jose Leal I use modern tape on most of my bikes. But I wanted to keep this bike as original as possible.
+RJ The Bike Guy im not saying people should never use cloth, i do agree it looks better but some times new is better considering most people dont change there handlebar tape and fome lasts longer
Also since this was original tape from 1981, I wanted to show how the factory wrapped it. I rarely see old Treks with original factory cloth tape.
+RJ The Bike Guy hey since you are alrady talking to me and you know alot more about bikes then me. what do you think of 3 spoke bike wheel on a vintage bike, i have a late 1979 swinn and i was think about getting one would it look out of place? i wannted to reduce weight on my bike and 3 spoke tires look awsome
Heh, my Puch Cavalier has the same SR bars. I know it didn't come that way, but I don't think I could resist to go ahead and use the couple of extra strips to take up those gaps.
nice one, just did mine, a bit fiddly around the brakes but did it
So no need to remove the old adhesive? Seems like maybe it helps to hold the new tape or?
The adhesive is already applied to the cloth tape. The whitish color left on the handlebar is just residue, which is a pain in the ass to remove. Although, there is no need to remove it since you are going to wrap it again.
No, there's no need to remove old adhesive though I generally do so. Although the bars are about to be re-covered, it's nice to see the pristine shiny ali/chrome before the new tape is applied. To remove, use a solvent (eg Jizer or isopropyl alcohol) and cotton rag.
HI RJ! Do you have a video with same brake levers but normal tape? Thanks!
ua-cam.com/video/n-BMsC0Ao-o/v-deo.html
@@RJTheBikeGuy you r the best! Thank you! :)
Pls help!!! So on my mongoose bike it wont shift gears at all and when i shift the wire gets loosen. For me to shift i have to move my chain to the gear but if i move it manually from 4-7 it will go back to gear 3. What do u think the problem is and do u have a video on it and if so can u link it for me thx.
RJ - I have cloth tape on my (original owner) 1974 Grand Prix that really needs to be redone, So I ppreciate you reminding me to do it!
Also - I noticed that rear wheel bike stand for the first time. It seemed very stable, although I've seen very mixed reviews for it. Do you use it mostly to park your bikes or do you use it for repairs too (besides handlebar tape)?
Thanks again!
I can't get my vintage Campagnolo Super Record hoods to stay back. Any suggestions?
never mind I watched the other video, I'm going to try the zip tie method.
Rubber bands.
okay that worked but wow are Campy rubber hoods annoying.
i did the taping before and i messed it up. I will have to redo it. Its not that easy without any guide and the tape does come usually without any.
i have got bar end shifter that are supposed to run on the inside of the tape and my brakes also go on the inside of tape and i have clotch tape, is there a professional way to solve this?
Wrap tape over them.
Never wrap from top down RJ- cloth or not. Hands always slide outward. Wrapping from the top down leaves the left edge vulnerable to rolling over
Sounds like Martin Freeman in Sherlock Holmes
i always wrap my tape inside to out, even cork, just keep it taught all the way through. some rolling will occur but id rather have that then replace my tape every 6 months because they basically give you a strip of electrical tape to use on the inside ends, scam. Modern capitalist always have a good excuse why thing need to be done a certain way that cost more money and need to be replaced more often. also even with cloth tape especially the new stuff rolling "can" still occur. only tape that iv seen that never rolls is the old school schwinn vinyl which is kinda wretched in terms of comfort.
+Dan Nimoy I use regular electrical tape, wrap it multiple times and then maybe finish it off with the included piece. Lasts a long time and no rolling.
+RJ The Bike Guy true thats the only way to make it last but the problem is if left in the sun the tape "may" get gooey. inside out requires no electrical tape, looks cleaner for longer with just minor rolling.
if you haven't notice iv been binge watching all your vids love em.
+Dan Nimoy Have you watched ua-cam.com/video/9OrKpze98jc/v-deo.html
?