Re: [CR]Mafac brakes with ball bearings?

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2002)

Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 10:07:27 -0800
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Mafac brakes with ball bearings?
References: <3B3C6A7C.3978.5C0D269@localhost>


John Everett wrote:
>
> I'm inferring from the previous posts that there are really three
> variants of the "Dural Forge" brakes. The early ones ('50s & early
> '60s) have ball bearing pivots, the next series (mid '60s) have the
> red plastic washers and bronze (not brass, I believe) bushings, and
> the later ones (late '60s) had red plastic bushings and washers.

Early ones with holes drilled at the pivots to oil bushings, and slightly newer early ones without oil holes, but no plastic either.

Has anyone on the list actually seen MAFAC Dural Forge with ball bearings? Four ball bearings would have _really_ increased the manufacturing price over a plane bronze bushing! Maybe an "urban legend?"

Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, Southern California