Taping the steering wheel rim.

Barry

Barry

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Melbourne, Vic.
The stitching on part of my steering wheel is getting frayed and I'm thinking it is time to tape the rim with leather bicycle handlebar tape.
I recon the black perforated tape should look great.



A few questions:
  • Does anyone have pics of how they have done theirs? (Carl...?)
  • Did you tape one direction, as with bike bars, or in two contra rotating directions, so it 'weaves' onto the rim?
  • Did you continue it over the 'spokes', or cut it at the end of each section of the rim?
  • How did you seal the ends. (I'm thinking of wrapping with 'rubber' electrical tape, used for sealing off 12 volt wires.)
  • How many packs of tape did you use?
 
That leather bicycle handlebar tape sounds like a great idea Barry :)

I too will have to do something about my steering wheel soon aswell.
I've actually worn away the leather on mine in a big way, especially on the RHS :(

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
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How many packs of tape did you use? 1 Pack, started at the bottom and taped up to meet in the middle.

How did you seal the ends. (I'm thinking of wrapping with 'rubber' electrical tape, used for sealing off 12 volt wires.) Yup, electrical tape.

Did you continue it over the 'spokes', or cut it at the end of each section of the rim? Since I started each of the two rolls on either side of the center spoke it doesn't go around that one, but I did wrap around the 3 and 9 o'clock spokes.

Did you tape one direction, as with bike bars, or in two contra rotating directions, so it 'weaves' onto the rim? One direction as with bike bars, the key thing being; you want to leave the 'exposed' edge of the tape toward the bottom of the wheel. The idea behind this is that if you slide your hands down the wheel (I don't think most would slide their hands up) you don't roll the edges of the tape up. This is difficult to explain, but a close inspection of the photo should help

I used Brooks tape, it was expensive but it is still holding up perfectly after 5 years. Have fun!!! If you need further clarification on anything let me know.:cool:
 
Thanks Carl, I thought I remembered you posting a pic.

I understand what you mean about the direction you wrap the tape, although it looks to me that yours is wrapped in the same direction all the way round.

The tape I have looks like yours, but black. Hopefully as good as Brooks, fairly expensive, but all I could get.
 
Thanks Lefty,

The squeeze has one of those fake fur/wool things on her steering wheel.
I really don't like them.

Much prefer to grip the rim - but perhaps that is just a function of my driving style, as my passengers have a similar affinity with the 'Jesus strap'! :raspberry:
 
Doesn't that tape get all loose and sticky after sitting in the sun for a couple of hours? that would drive me nuts, luckily the knackered leather wheel in my Liberty is just a standard Nardi WRX one and usually only $50 to replace with a 2nd hand good one.
 
Barry said:
I understand what you mean about the direction you wrap the tape, although it looks to me that yours is wrapped in the same direction all the way round.
Click to expand...

There is something different about the two sides. But now I don't remember what, and I can't tell by looking at it.:huh: I'll figure it out sometime, I do know that I started both rolls of tape from the bottom though.

d_generate said:
Doesn't that tape get all loose and sticky after sitting in the sun for a couple of hours?
Click to expand...

The only bit of the tape that gets loose and sticky, is the bit of electrical tape in the center. I usually have to change it out once or twice during the summer. The actual leather wrap has never come loose, and I've never done anything to it since I put it on five years ago.:cool:
 
Lefty, I reckon that would look awesome with the whole interior done in zebra pattern hahaha :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Carl, it looks like you've started at the bottom on both sides but wrapped in the same direction which is why is crosses the spokes differently. If you wrap each side in opposite directions starting from the bottom it will look more symmetric. Ie, wrapping from inside the rim out would be clockwise one side, anti-clockwise the other, if you get what I mean lol :iconwink:
 
I like the idea, but personally don't think I would do it myself. I'd just replace the steering wheel for $50...

It does look good on YotaRu though ;)
 
Nachaluva said:
Carl, it looks like you've started at the bottom on both sides but wrapped in the same direction which is why is crosses the spokes differently.
Click to expand...

Yup, that is exactly what I did.

taza said:
It does look good on YotaRu though ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks taza!!! If you saw what was under the wrap job, you would agree that it is completely necessary.
 
Hey Barry, did you ever do this??? Curious how it came out if you did, I'm contemplating it for the Outback.:)
 
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