Re: [CR]Simplex retrofriction levers/Buying

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

From: <NortonMarg@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 21:17:27 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]Simplex retrofriction levers/Buying
To: tr4play@cox.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 3/19/02 5:28:35 PM Pacific Standard Time, tr4play@cox.net writes:

<< These early style levers appear on ebay once in a while and are usually
   reasonably priced. I just bought a NOS set a few weeks back for $15.05
   although $25-45 seems to be the norm. And yes, these are the best
   (functionality) levers ever made! >> I only used these levers once, for a brief while. The rap on them in one of the shops I worked in was that they (many, not all) developed dead spots where they wouldn't hold you in gear. This was annoying at best and dangerous at worst. The only cure was to replace the piece as repairs were not an option. Regarding Campy levers, the biggest problem I saw with them was most people assembled them dry. They need to be stuffed with grease! That way with the tension screwed down tight, they'd move easily and hold a gear. Admittedly, they lacked the silky, light feel of the Simplex, but you could work on them. My favorite greases at the time was "Benotto" and "Barient Winch Lube". Both were similar to Campy but were browner and had more aromatic additives. I knew one guy who greased a bunch of ball bearings with Benotto and some with Campy and dropped them in glasses of water. Two weeks later, the Campy greased bearings were rusting visibly. Six months later the Benotto greased bearings still showed no sign of rust! The Barient (available from Marine supply stores) was as good if not better and sadly disappeared from the shelves, never to be seen again. Stevan Thomas Alameda, CA