This came off the new project bike, the one with the chain I've been working on between other stuff today. It originally had a black plastic outer coating, but that was dry, hard, and disintegrating; I literally peeled it off with my hands. A good scrub later and here we are.
I kinda want to paint and I kinda want to do that tool grip stuff that I used on that pair of wire snips last year. I think the thickness of the goop would be good, and! it comes in spray can form now! Which would be very nice, since I wouldn't have to use it once and then throw the rest out.
I could do that pickup-truck-bed appliqué but those are all black and I'm trying to put colour back into bikes.
But if you know other approaches I'm interested.
@moira
I believe they used to be wrapped - or at least my Father's ancient one was. It might just have been his work.
It was done in a strip of fine leather with cord at the corners and at the wear points