RE: [CR]Fw: Mafac Braze-On Studs

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli)

From: "Mark Bulgier" <mark@bulgier.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Fw: Mafac Braze-On Studs
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 01:34:27 -0700


Eric Elman wrote:
> Looking for a set of Mafac braze on studs for Mafac
> Competition brakes.

and Steve Barner replied:
> I wouldn't suggest the Mafac ones, unless you are doing a
> restoration or repair. Better to find the later solid
> cantilever studs that were used on mountain bikes and
> some tandems, or use a lathe to make your own. If you
> do use the Mafacs, don't forget to brake the stud to the
> bracket after you braze the bracket to the frame. They
> will loosen up if you don't.

I have wondered about this - did Mafac ever even make braze-ons for the Competition, Racer and the other centerpulls? The braze-ons I've seen, on Herse et al., all seemed "home made" to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Steve, it sounds like you are talking about canti brakes, not centerpulls, am I right? I agree that canti studs are not good for making centerpull studs out of - the offset is wrong, the spring hole is in the wrong place, and the larger diameter cylinder part, that the spring wraps around, is too small a diameter. Can be made to work though if you don't have a lathe. Steve's advice to braze the two pieces of the boss together is right on - I have seen a few that weren't brazed there that were loose and dangerous.

I have some "factory" centerpull braze-ons that fit Mafac perfectly, but I'm pretty sure they're Japanese. Was there a Japanese centerpull that had the same dimensions, spring hole location and all, as Mafac? Or were these made in Japan to fit Mafac? (I've seen enough French and Asian framebuilding bits that I'd be very surprised to learn these braze-ons are French). Maybe these are the parts that were used on that Centurion model - was it "Pro-Tour"? - that had the brazed-on centerpulls. Dia-Compes I believe.

Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA