GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 09:13:18 AM

Title: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 09:13:18 AM
At least, advice on how NOT to install rim tape.

I did it last night.  Pics below.

DO NOT: do this with the wheels on the bike.

DO NOT: do this in a dirty parking garage.

DO NOT: do this at night with no flashlight.

DO NOT: pull it so tight that it stretches.

DO NOT: take crappy pics the next moring, looking directly into the sunrise.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/jaked1166/editrimtape.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/jaked1166/rimtapeclose.jpg)

Let me know what you think.  I used gold reflective from Tapeworks.
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: blue05twin on August 02, 2006, 09:17:01 AM
Looks nice, you did a great job  :cheers:  makes the shock spring stand out even more  :thumb:

Personally I would have gone blue.  ..just because I like blue
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 09:19:44 AM
Yeah, blue would have been cool. 

But I ordered this crap before I even bought the bike.  Like a week before I ever saw it.  I still had the SV at the time. 

I may replace it. 
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: blue05twin on August 02, 2006, 09:26:28 AM
 :dunno_white:  I think it looks good how you have it now. 
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: jen_ on August 02, 2006, 09:40:16 AM
Theoretically, it's supossed to stretch a bit to curve around the wheel.  But man, is it ever hard to get them on straight.  Mine look like they were installed by a blindfolded drunk.
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 09:45:04 AM
When I say stretch, I mean to the point that they actually got thinner in places.  Usually when I had to peel it off.  It was not an easy job at all.  I'd say another piece of advice would be that if you are doing it with the wheels on the bike, it is best to start on the bike's left side, that way you get some practice before starting the right side (the "show" side). 

Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: 12thmonkey on August 02, 2006, 11:19:26 AM
Quote from: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 09:13:18 AM
At least, advice on how NOT to install rim tape.

I did it last night.  Pics below.

DO NOT: do this with the wheels on the bike.

DO NOT: do this in a dirty parking garage.

DO NOT: do this at night with no flashlight.

DO NOT: pull it so tight that it stretches.

DO NOT: take crappy pics the next moring, looking directly into the sunrise.


DO NOT: put gold tape on a blue bike.  :laugh:



Quote from: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 09:13:18 AM
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/jaked1166/rimtapeclose.jpg)

It looks best from worms-eye view when you can see the rear shock too. It still looks pretty good. i personally think blue would've been better...but sounds like you do too. i guess if you ever redo it, you'll have all the practice you need to put it on like a pro.
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 11:28:26 AM
You can't really tell from the photos, but the disk rotors are gold color and the fork tubes are sort of an old gold color.  Then it brings out the shock spring a bit, as mentioned.  I need to take better pictures in normal light (ie., not back lit).   I'll post better tomorrow. 
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Cal Price on August 02, 2006, 02:53:05 PM
This is my effort....

(http://www.bbburma.net/CalPrice/FullLuggageSetup.jpg)
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: aaronstj on August 02, 2006, 03:16:13 PM
Is there a GS500 under all that stuff?  Hard to tell.  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Jake D on August 02, 2006, 03:20:20 PM
Pain in the ass, isn't it Cal?  Especially the kickstand side. 
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: annguyen1981 on August 02, 2006, 03:40:25 PM
I easily installed the rim tape while the wheels were on the bike.  I just had to lay down on my mechanic's creeper
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: TadMC on August 02, 2006, 03:49:18 PM
x
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: jen_ on August 02, 2006, 04:19:25 PM
The trick is to photograph them spinning, then they look straight!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/mckennitt/the%20bike/merides_june06_side.jpg)
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: RVertigo on August 02, 2006, 05:07:50 PM
Mmmmm...  Yellow GS......   Mmmmmm......
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: annguyen1981 on August 02, 2006, 06:46:16 PM
Quote from: RVertigo on August 02, 2006, 05:07:50 PM
Mmmmm...  Yellow GS......   Mmmmmm......
Oh my god!!!  I didn't even see a GS in that picture until you pointed it out! :laugh:
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: rangerbrown on August 02, 2006, 07:43:13 PM
doesnt look like a gs500 to me, but thats jsut me :nono:
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Unnamed on August 02, 2006, 08:05:19 PM
The real question is who let you wear a pink helmet with a yellow bike and jacket.  :nono:

Anyway I just bought my red tape for my all black bike (see avatar). Hopefully it'll be a nice contrast, especially since I wear a red helmet and jacket. When I get braided brake lines I'll make sure they're red.
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Jake D on August 03, 2006, 11:25:31 AM
Quote from: TadMC on August 02, 2006, 03:49:18 PM
DAMN JAKE, I AM SO FREAKING JELOUS


that bike looks awesome, can i borrow it.    :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :flipoff:

Thanks, TadMC.  I appreciate it.  I really like the bike and recommend it to anyone. 
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: Unnamed on August 03, 2006, 11:34:40 AM
I created a rimstripes section of the GS500 wiki, some people should go make it better

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Rimstripes
Title: Re: Rim tape advice.
Post by: pantablo on August 03, 2006, 03:22:22 PM
best to install the tape when its warm out too. helps with the pliability of the tape. or so I hear...looks good jake. gold and blue is a good combo, regardless what these buffoons say.