remember that the bike pictured is a 1946 frame. Coloured bar tape was documented in the catalogues. I also wanted some colour as I explained during the project build. The yellow colour is also repeated in the Dare yellow handlebar sleeves. I regularly use the period bikes in the SpeedBicycles site for ideas.Now I'm tempted to put some color with the bar tape and cable housing, I like Big Block's pic. Maybe just crazy Friday afternoon thoughts but I'll play a little bit with handlebar tape colours, housings,...
This example has, what appears to be, original cables outers. The wound wire sleeve is evident where the smooth coloured exterior has cracked and fallen off on the gear cable, but the brake cable is reasonably intact.