After trying a number of the things mentioned on these boards to remove bar tape residue on some bars I bought used that had very baked on tape gum I found something that really worked well. I was at the 99 cent only store in my area and saw a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. It said something about about dissolving gum and varnish. I decided to give it a try and it worked like magic. A couple paper towels with a splash on them wiped the nearly impossible to remove dried gum right off. I am sure it is not the most environmental product, but it did not smell like diesel or really any kind of petroleum distillate. Not sure what it was, but it worked and I will just give the still full bottle to one of my neighbors to use in their car.