All Questions
26
questions
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How to find out about my 1970's JC Penny 3 speed bicycle?
I recently got a 1970s jcpenney Lightweight 3 Speed bicycle but it doesn't have a brake on it whatsoever. I cannot find the specs or any information about this bike. Does anyone know where I could ...
- 1,277
1
vote
1
answer
129
views
U-brake conversion from up pull to side pull (like bmx front brake)
I have an old steel Belgian bike from the 80s (I believe) which I am trying to restore to make it my daily commuter. I have to replace many things and every time I encounter that the bike is far away ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
231
views
Repair/Replace rim brakes with bottom cable routing
Ok people I need some knowledge around here. I'm working on fixing up my wife's bike. It's a wonderful classic Peugeot women's city bike. Mid 70s steel frame. I've run into the issue of the brakes. ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
275
views
Campagnolo brake spring too stiff
I'm overhauling a vintage Campagnolo caliper brake and the spring is extremely stiff. Unfortunatley I can't find new springs that fit (some almost fit, but are too short). Thoughts?
- 347
1
vote
1
answer
592
views
Restoring vintage road bike - need help with brake choice/compatibility
I'm restoring this old bike that I found on the road side :). I can afford to get this one stolen.. unlike my beloved Trek Checkpoint.
First thing is going to be the brakes. These look like side-pull ...
- 115
0
votes
1
answer
341
views
Correcting An Inverted Recessed Mounted Caliper Brakes On Vintage Bike Frame
It seems like the previous owner of my bike installed the rear brakes backward. I figured I could simply mount the brake on the other side. Unfortunately, this is not possible since the recessed nut ...
- 277
1
vote
1
answer
171
views
What type of lever is this cable for?
I recently bought a rear brake cable for my 60s era Schwinn:
I was expecting it to have a lever interface that looks like:
But they are clearly different:
I was browsing eBay for another cable and ...
- 173
2
votes
2
answers
268
views
MAFAC RAID brakes top mount part?
What is the name of this part/mount/adapter that mounts an old school center pull brake to the top of a rear bridge? This is a 1970s MAFAC RAID on a LeJeune Tandem. I'm trying to find an adapter to ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
628
views
How can I update the brake system on this vintage Universal La Riviera ladies bike?
I would be really grateful for any advise on how to go about updating the brake system on this vintage Universal La Riviera ladies bike.
The brakes don't work properly so I can't safely ride it. The ...
- 43
4
votes
2
answers
242
views
Is it possible to combine rod brakes with a coaster brake?
I'm restoring an old roadster bicycle with Westwood rims. I love how it looks but the braking is horrible, especially because I live in an area with a lot of downhills.
I don't want to add cable ...
- 41
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Older Shimano Road Brake Levers vs Newer Ones Quality (SLR vs Super SLR)
I'm owner of relatively new (non STI) levers of low Sora/Tiagra level, they are Shimano bl-r400 (Super SLR).
Now i'm thinking of replacing them with pretty Dura Ace BL-7402 (SLR). These come from ...
- 133
2
votes
1
answer
166
views
How to create tension in old upright handle bar levers / U brakes?
I have an old bike with a front brake "Weinmann Symmetric". It was not working very good as it stood in a garage for 20 years.
I bought a new cable and new brake pads.
I tried to pull as ...
- 1,509
2
votes
1
answer
750
views
Old Peugeot brakes not working in rain
I have an old Peugeot bike that's pretty awesome but the brakes are bad. In good conditions they are weak, and when wet they stop working entirely. I wasn't sure what the issue was with this, and ...
- 83
0
votes
1
answer
242
views
How to hold brake
How can I hold this brake?
I can’t hold it on the holds because of the angle of the brake and the nature of it being an old brake. I know that the suicide levers are dangerous so I’m confused about ...
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Caliper adjuster for Shimano 600 brakes
I have a pair of 1980s Shimano 600 brake calipers that look very similar to this
From https://www.picclickimg.com/d/w1600/pict/253060189019_/SHIMANO-600-BR-6207-etriers-de-frein-brake-caliper.jpg
...
- 35
4
votes
1
answer
771
views
What is this hook near the cantilever brakes?
I just bought this old school brazilian mountain bike, and it has this little hook thing near the brakes, front and rear. Anyone knows what these are for?
2
votes
1
answer
371
views
Updating brakes on a vintage tandem
I have a 25 year old Colnago road tandem on which I would like to update the brakes.
The problem I am having is that they are 27" rims and I can't find a proper brake setup that will work.
What ...
5
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Can I use Shimano 105's brakes with vintage bike?
Complete newbie here, looking for better stopping power and less rusty calipers.
I have a Nishiki Custom Sport with Dia Compe brakes and I was wondering if I could use the Shimano 105 5800's on them.
...
- 53
6
votes
1
answer
757
views
How to assemble '70s-era center-pull brake
I've (supposedly) got a 1976 Motobecane Le Champion with what appears to be the original center-pull rim brakes, which unforunately are not in one piece and need to be re-assembled:
As you can see in ...
- 3,475
1
vote
2
answers
557
views
Where to get replacement bolt for rod brakes
Well, I did it again: While working on a bike with rod brakes I lost the bolt which connects the two "actuating" rods to each other (I have no idea what these parts are even called; The measuring tape ...
- 3,475
7
votes
2
answers
5k
views
How good are '80s Raleigh rod brakes?
I'm interested in getting an old roadster/Dutch bike and I came across a Raleigh Royal from the '80s:
I like that it has rod-actuated brakes rather than coaster brakes, but how well do rod brakes ...
- 3,475
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
Hoods for 1993 Camapaganolo Chorus levers
The hoods for my 1993 camapaganolo chorus levers need replacing.
Can anyone suggest some inexpensive hoods that would be compatible apart from a period Campagnolo part?
- 411
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
New Brake Compatibility with Vintage Bike
I have a vintage Gitane Sprint from the early '80s which came with Weinmann 405s (single-pivot side pulls). I had been thinking about replacing the front brake anyway and then recently broke the quick ...
- 41
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
Replacing old brake blocks with modern pads
I'm looking to freshen up a 60's Raleigh Sports that has the old standard brake blocks on it. If I able to put modern pads (http://www.koolstop.com/images/ks-bmxdl_art_lg.jpg) from a cantilever brake ...
- 2,361
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Specialized Rock Hopper (1987) - Service
I was wondering if anyone might have a service manual of some description for a vintage Specialized Rock Hopper(1987 - Yellow)?
I have googled this for hours and hours and have tried contacting ...
- 1
3
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Single pivot brake with handlebar levers (Resurrecting an old Colnago)
I have an old Colnago I want to resurrect, which after some Google-ing I have discovered is very similar to the bike here (but in blue):
I want to replace the drop bar brakes with "standard" brakes ...
- 133