1. First look at how the existing tape has been fixed onto your (or another cycle) and note how the tape generously overlaps itself as it winds around the bars. Note how the beginning and end of the tape has been secured.
2. Read the instructions supplied with your bar tape.
3. Ask a friend to help you apply the tape who should also read these instructions.
4. Remove the old tape and end plugs from your handle bars, clean them with white spirit and wipe dry.
5. Peel a sufficient amount (say 30cm) of the backing tape from the middle of the underside of the bar tape to expose the adhesive surface. If you have tape from very old stock the glue may have dried if so see 13 below.
6. Poke the end of the exposed tape into the end of one of your handlebars and while a friend holds the remainder of the tape begin to thread the tape (anticlockwise left hand bar, clockwise right hand bar) round and round the handle bar sealing the sticky part to the handlebar with the outer unglued edge overlapping the tape as applied with each 360% turn.
7. As you twist the tape round the bars your friend will untwist the remainder of the tape so that you have a straight run of tape to apply. Your friend will remove more of the backing strip feeding more exposed tape for you to apply.
8. Be extra careful not to leave parts of the handlebars exposed when you begin to apply the tape and on covering bends.
9. Always pull tight pull on the tape to slightly strech it when firmly aplying. Undo retrace and reapply any loose binding or exposed metal.
10. When you reach the desired end point straighten the tape to make a tidy finish and after checking there are no gaps and the overlap is all OK cut off any excess tape and press the end down to seal.
11. Remove the backing strip to expose the glue on a black sealing strip and wrap around the end of the tape one turn and part overlap one more turn onto the bare metal on the bars to prevent the bar tape unwinding and coming loose.
12. Seal the other end of the tape by inserting the plastic bar plug into the end of the hollow handlebar. If it is too tight to insert cut off any surpls tape but be careful to leave enough to be gripped by the handlebar plug. You can use part of the black sealing strip to secure this end as well if there is a problem.
13. When complete grip the bars and twist and press the tape in the same direction it has been applied to enable the glue to get a firm hold.
14. Helpful hint? Spray the handlebars with vinyl adhesive before applying the tape. This will prevent the tape coming loose where the glue supplied is not very strong and the tape is open to the elements.
15. Thank your friend for assisting.