Need a source for crappy plastic handlebar tape
 

Not the good Italian stuff like Benotto, but the lousy stuff found on Schwinns, Peugeots, etc. I am restoring several of these, and would like to have the correct tape.

A search on eBay for "HUNT-WILDE" will usually pull up many listings for their "FLEXON" vinyl handlebar tape. $5 to $10 for a package of 1 or 2 large new rolls is a typical cost. This was the genuine item, used for half a century on Schwinns, and countless other bikes. The company has now recently gone out of business entirely being unable to compete with Asia prices for vinyl products, but they still made the tape until very recently. All of their products had been quickly unloaded but much of the bar wrap was picked up by retro bike enthusiasts and even small bike shops - like my own LBS.

The vinyl typically had a textured waffle pattern, but they also made some in a faux leather finish. If possible, for larger handlebars, check the length which is listed on the packages. This is usually 5 to 7 yards but even 5 yards is usually plenty for a complete handlebar - unless you need it for high-rise "rams horn" bars. The tape is not adhesive backed so the instructions advise wrapping from the center of the bars and then tucking the excess under bar end caps. It wraps easily because the vinyl is a bit stretchy, if properly wrapped it does not slip and is of course very washable - so, unlike cotton tape - even the white tape keeps very clean. As you probably know, it came in dozens of different colors ranging from opaque to transluscent (which can look good over shiny handlebars and a good compliment for the right flamboyant or metallic frame paints).

Great Stuff. Good luck.

This was the way I wrapped many bars with thin vinyl and cloth in the '70s and '80s. The preferred method now with adhesive tapes is to start at the ends, work up and finish it off with an adhesive strip. I'm not doing it this way, even with the new cork and padded tapes because it seems inefficient and silly to me. At the risk of derailing the thread (my apologies if I do), why is the extra adhesive strip method better, or is it?

I've got some, 2 rolls, pale yellow with the diamond pattern I bought for a restro project and I never used. If you want it I'll sell for 1/2 the mail-order shop rate...PM me.

They also did suede too, for the record.

-Kurt

Not exactly what you are asking for, but I have used hockey stick tape on a number of bikes. Two or three thicknesses provide okay cushion. And it does wear in nicely. Super cheap too.

jim