Re: [CR]"GEM" Handlebar Tape...?

(Example: Events)

Date: Wed, 16 May 2001 22:26:14 -0800
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]"GEM" Handlebar Tape...?
References: <B7288660.2B53%d.kennard@home.com>


D. Kennard wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
>
> In digging around the back room of a LBS, I came across a couple
> of boxes of some old-lookin' "GEM" brand English-made handlebar tape.
> It appears to be made of vinyl, and I thought it may be cool on an older
> English bike. Is anyone familiar with this stuff, and anyone know the
> vintage?

"Benjamin... one word... PLASTICS!" (The Graduate)

I love the stuff (although in the solid colors, not the stripes shown in your jpeg).

Something that is lost in the rush to shellac and cotton tape ala BOBs and Grant Peterson is that plastic handlebar tape was cutting edge, state of the art stuff in the early 50s Jet Age ("as modern as Tomorrow") in other words, SNAZZY!!!

And... the stuff looks like new forever...

Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, California
http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, timeline and t-shirts)