Bicycle Mechanics - Handlebar retaping prep question

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RWTD
09-01-02, 05:51 AM
I am retaping a mid-80's Fuji Royale with the rubber brake lever hoods which have largely deteriorated by melting away.I am finding the handelbars somewhat a mess from old bits of tape and smudges remaining and the brake levers a real mess getting the melted rubber hoods off.Any advice on how to proceed with this as I seem to recall somewhere a mention of some compound to clean handelbars before retaping but for the life of me can't locate where I read it now?

RegularGuy
09-01-02, 06:29 AM
I use acetone and elbow grease to clean handlebars for re-taping. Wear rubber gloves. I don't know if it will help with the gooey melted rubber brake lever hood mess though.
lotek
09-01-02, 09:46 PM
WD40 does well to help remove old
dead glue etc. Just spray a little on,
spread it over the old tape and wipe it off.

Marty

mike
09-02-02, 08:05 AM
YES, you asked the right group. I have had to remove the melted goo of ancient brake hoods many times.

Without question, the fastest and best way to do it is to use a circular brass wire brush mounted on a hand drill. This will take that hard and gooey mess of quickly and cleanly.

You can use some "Goo Gone" cleaner which softens the melted rubber, but it really isn't necessary if you use power brass brush wheel.

Sometimes, I cut the big blobs off with a knife before using the brass wheel.