Am I *really* recycling this?
 

So, tonight I pick up a '81 Team Miyata, wrong size, mixed bag of components, so good for the organ donor program. No problem.

But in stripping the bike, I removed the bars, and found myself unravelling three layers of 30+ year old Benotto Cellotape. Two black, one yellow. Then I find myself wiping it down and rerolling it for future use.

And it's not the first time. Over the summer I rescued two rolls of nearly unobtanium white Cellotape, which I faithfully reapplied to my Comp GS.

The stuff has amazing life, I tell ya. But am I taking this too far? Someone out there doing more trivial recycling than this?

I'm starting to worry about me.

Im dying for a Team Miyata..59 or 60 cm

Make mine a 56 or 57...

This was a wee little one, 53cm.

You're just fine, trust me.

I've never come across a bike with benotto celo tape that was no brittle and dry and cracked when I tried to remove it. But then those bikes probably all spent time outdoors. Maybe yours did not.

Thanks doc. Really. <deep breath>

Sounds like a good score! I'd definitely save the tape. Then again, I'm not a great role model.

My father rinsed off paper plates and hung them on the clothes line..........you're fine........

hmmm... 53cm you say? just about my size... :innocent:

Like this TM?https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/DSC_1008.JPG

spend more time RIDING...

"waste not, want not"

if its still useable, why waste it? The local dump doesn't plan on wrapping any handlebars.

Well chioce Cello tape even used is great for vintage bikes so I say keep and use the stuff if it isn't brittled from age.

When I go to my just reward and my son collects his inheritance it will be $12.37 in cash, a Rudge Whitworth Sport, and 27 oily, duct taped cardboard boxes of used vintage bicycle parts. I gather most people on this forum would be thrilled to be in his shoes.

AHHHHHH. That's my size.

While we're on the topic, I found this wheel out in the pile. I think it's an OE Team Miyata front wheel.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...pse610aeb9.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...psfeda1469.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...pscccb6c71.jpg

It it certainly an exact match with the rear I have...and I'm missing a front. One of us should obtain the others.

Don't worry, you're among friends here. I have recycled less interesting tape before (think Planet Bike faux cork tape). I have a bag of cloth tape pieces (the ends of several rolls) I received in a big box of bike stuff months ago. I keep trying to figure out what to do with it. Nothing so far. But I keep not chucking it. Perhaps inspiration will strike over the winter.

Finally, I got a broken Cannondale frame for free a few months ago. Sold the fork, bottom bracket and crank, and am making a shop stool from the rear triangle. I have most of the downtube left. Not sure what to do with it, but again, I keep not chucking it.

Great rims!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-frame-shop-stool/

what a great idea. I need a place to sit in my workshop.

Yes, exactly. Is that a 58?

A skilled person with a sharp pair of scissors could make good Christmas present ribbons and bows from that tape. :thumb:

That lets me off the hook. :)