>>>I have a set of ttt city bars mated to a ttt Gran Prix stem so probably '70's production. The bars have a flat moustache shape (no rise or drop). What type of levers would have been used and how would they have been placed? What other modifications were performed on retired race bikes over the decades to adapt them to more mundane service?<<< Charlie Young
Charlie -
This is how the Weinmann levers were positioned originally on the '73 Raleigh Super Tourer. They are mounted on "North Road" style bars. I used a picture from an original Raleigh catalog when setting up the bike. I think the levers are rotated too high to be comfortable. You have to rock your wrists back to grab the levers.
http://www.wooljersey.com/
This is how I mounted them, with the original bars flipped over, on another set-up. They are much more comfortable this way. At least for me.
http://www.wooljersey.com/
This is a Cinelli flat bar that is also flipped upside down. I mounted conventional Modolo drop-bar levers on these. Sort of like a common moustache-bar set-up. This works well too.
http://www.wooljersey.com/
I have set up a number of standard road frames with various types of flat bars. In downtown DC, you see all kinds of interesting flat bar set ups on fixed-gear messenger bikes. One of these days I'm going to hang out on a street corner with a camera and just take pictures of messenger bikes. Some of the most interesting and eclectic combinations of frames and parts you'll ever see.
Wayne Bingham
Lovettsville VA