[CR][Re]: Newer Suntour friction levers

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Cinelli)

From: "dddd" <dddd@pacbell.net>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 17:14:11 -0800
Subject: [CR][Re]: Newer Suntour friction levers

Garth Libre wrote:

I have a mid 80's Suntour Superpe braze-on type gear lever set. If I remember my older circa 1980 levers were different. The older type had metal to metal friction plates and these newer types are hard plastic and soft plastic friction device controled. Accidently, I got penetrating lubricant on the levers and of course they slipped. I took them apart and washed the inner parts in rubbing alcohol, but they still slip a bit. I never had these problems with metal plate types. Should I use a different solvent to clean the parts?

First, are you certain that the tension of the bolt is actually compressing the friction surfaces together, i.e. that the thing's assembled exactly as it should be? Usually there's more than enough friction force to overcome a slight loss of friction coefficient from lubes, etc., so I'd look to be sure that the stationary discs are engaging the flats and that nothing's bottoming out before the discs get fully compressed.

Good luck,

David Snyder