Hey Everyone,

I'm thinking about putting some new handle-bar tape on my Motobecane. However, the original grip is still there and is in pretty good condition.

I'm not exactly sure what type of material was used for the original grip but would a cork-like tape damage it? If it will, I may just try and remove the original grip. Its in pretty good condition but just feels too "slippery" for me..

Some old Motobecanes came with that plastic covering that almost look like it was dipped. But in the shot of the stitching, that almost looks like real leather. Which is it? If it is a custom, real leather job, I would keep it. You might try over-wrapping it with cork and see how it looks. But it is going to be pretty bulky and unsightly, I think. Worth a try.

I'm with you on this, rootboy - that sure looks like leather to me. It would be a shame to lose it if so.

I don't think its real leather, it feels too rubbery to me. It does look pretty cool though, just doesn't give me the grip I want. Are there any other tapes that aren't sticky and might not damage the original grip?

A pair of gloves may be a solution to your problem as well. Agreed that over-wrapping may/will end up looking quite bulky.

Guessing a bike of that vintage with suicide levers would be on the low end and probably not one that would have come with genuine leather-wrapped bars. Look at the end caps. They look like they are molded to the grips not calling the ends of the leather. If it is plastic, slice it and replace it.

The grain looks very vinyl-y to me. If you want to somewhat maintain the original look, I would recommend trying a newer faux leather wrap -- the vinyl used now is far softer and grippier than the old stuff. Feels darn close to the real thing at a fraction of the cost:

https://www.google.com/search?q=faux...+tape&tbm=shop

that's that ugly rubbery moto mold crap.

cut it off and use fizik microtex.

if you've never applied new tape before, do research the method first. there are many ways. i favor beginning at the ends, taping outward, doing a figure-8 around the lever clamp, and finishing with something elegant like embroidery thread (or electrical tape cut in half).

if you found some replacement levers without the suicide levers (about $5 at a co-op), you could add cane creek gum hoods for about $9 shipped.

this is a good time to replace cables and housing if needed. but you'll need bike specific cable cutters like those made by park tools.

I'd just go over what you have with cloth bar tape...who knows the next owner may find it desirable plus it will give the bars a bit of diameter which always a comfort to the hands.

+1 on the cloth tape over what you have. Itll change the texture completely, is cheaper than almost anything else, and is a riskfree way of practicing wrapping bars.

I wrapped cloth over some crappy low end schwinn foam on an old bike of mine and it was the most comfortable grip ive ever felt. Eventually it died, as the foam was on its last legs

If you want to preserve the plastic sleeves for future use it is not necessary to cut them off. Merely use a small screwdriver to open up a gap at the inner end of the sleeve, and shoot some WD40 or similar spray lubricant in, using the small straw that comes with the spray can. The sleeve can be then wriggled and worked loose from the bar a bit at a time. Of course it is necessary to remove the brake levers first. The sleeves will stretch over the pylons that are attached to the bar for mounting the levers.
If/when it is desired to reinstall the sleeves, completely clean the oil from the inside, and use windex or weak soap solution as a lubricant. Eventually (e.g. overnight) the lubricant will evaporate and the sleeves will grip the bar.

That's a Super Mirage, right?

I think you have to make at least a couple of cuts to get it off, since it goes around the bars and the levers in one piece. Yup, it must have been dipped.

It was actually a good idea at the time, but vinyl doesn't last forever. Well, nothing does, for that matter.

My eyes must be deceiving me. In the shot on the right, it definitely looks too shiny and plasticky looking. But in the shot on the left that looks like real thread holding things together. Wasn't the "thread" on that molded, Moto "crap" molded in to the covering? I've only seen pictures of it. Also, on the molded-on stuff, the lever hoods were molded in with the bar wrap, like Noglider sez. Hard to tell but, that one black lever hood partially shown looks like a separate unit to me. But, my eyes are getting old.

Question, Pepermint Jocky. Is the stitching shown molded in plastic? or "real" thread? Could that stuff be stitched on vinyl? Odd.

Seeing that pic of the maroon colored one Auchencrow posted on that thread, I stand corrected on the integral lever hoods.

My sisters bike had that stuff on it. We sold the bike without replacing it. It is not leather. 20 years from now it will be rare and sell for $200 on ebay.

It's rubber, and the hoods and faux-stitching are molded in. I covered it on my Grand Touring with cotton tape. Worked fine. (Bike since sold). I considered doing some surgery to remove everything but the hoods, but thought better of it.

Have the same on a late 70's Grand Sprint but also incorporates the brake lever boots with Motobecane 'M' logo. I believe the wrap was provided by Hutchinson. Rather like it but could see wrapping cloth over it. I certainly wouldn't remove it. As for the OP's and being slippery, perhaps it was at one time Armor-all or coated. Might need to just do a quick wipe with lacquer thinner.

When I acquired the Grand Sprint, a real barn find with major scuz and mold, thought the grips were a goner. The lacquer thinner cleaned them up to near new and now probably the best condition part of the bike....lol.

(Just after acquiring, a first quicky clean, air in the tires and test ride. Now stripped down for a mild transformation project for a grand-daughter and participate in C&V rides. Getting a faux team BIC look of the early 70's.)

preserve and cover, it's only original once

Great idea [MENTION=350383]crank_addict[/MENTION] I'll try the lacquer thinner and see if that brings it back to life. Its in otherwise really good condition so I'll probably end up wrapping over it with faux leather Deda tape.
[MENTION=29368]rootboy[/MENTION] Its definitely not real leather after closer inspection, the threads somehow seem to be part of the mold! They did a good job with it, fooled me for awhile haha.

Will update you guys soon! Thanks for the advice everyone

wrapping over the thick rubber wouldn't work for me. first, i'd need to replace the suicide levers, so i would need access to the clamp. also, i'd need to move the levers up so i could ride on the pretty new hoods i would add. next, i tape bars starting at the ends and would need access and use of plugs. fourth, it would be way too bulky. fifth, the jimmy rigging insults my professional sensibilities. and if it were a keeper, i wouldn't be concerned with marketing it as 'original.' also, if the integral hoods are missing, it's not original to begin.

taping bars is not really trial and error, especially with cotton. one can't tape over rubber, try it out, then remove it and reapply the cotton, expecting it to be easily applied and attractive. it stretches and conforms to initial use. it's difficult enough to perfectly tape bars. to reuse cotton after it's already been applied once is not worth the trouble. the same is true with the fizik tape i prefer.

You might start with mineral spirits. Lacquer thinner might damage the surface. 2 cents.

My 78 Moto GJ still sports the original molded handlebar sleeves. They've been off and back on again at least five times (one side, at any rate), and are still quite soft and pliable. At this point they have proven to be much more durable and low cost than any aftermarket wrap.

While on topic of the mystery moto wrapollo, found an old pic of the Grand Sprint just after the cob webs removed but mold still on. Poor pic but can see the Brev. Motobecane and Hutchinson below that. How did they do the process? I do like the simulated leather look, especially the integrated brake hoods, but admit having no significant road time to review. With this wrapollo, one other neg. is not having the ability to re-position the brake levers.


Have these vintage Spenco on a tandem for the stoke. Slide on and good to go. Looking tattered but its veeeentige

Hi: I want to change the stem on my wife's '79 Motobecane Grand Jubile. She's had the bike for over 30 years and is still riding it, but needs the bars higher now. I can't figure out who to get the molded handlebar covering off, especially since it seems to be one piece with the brake lever hoods. How did you do it?

This thread is over a year old. You might get better traction if you start a new thread asking this question.