Re: [CR]MAFAC brake lever hoods

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

From: "dddd" <dddd@pacbell.net>
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <20070507231001.GTOG1041.ibm67aec.bellsouth.net@mail.bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]MAFAC brake lever hoods
Date: Mon, 7 May 2007 18:03:23 -0800
reply-type=original

I just bought some of those repro' Weinmann hoods with the chevron patterned top.

These are a very loose fit, top to bottom, on Mafac levers, and note that the tops of Mafac levers are almost completely flat. I haven't yet tried to fit the adjusters in there.

I finally found the Genuine Mafac black full hoods on Ebay just 2 months back from seller "RaleighChopper" in Nicosia, Cyprus iir. I payed about $30 shipped, and these are for my 1979 PKN10E.

I bought CyclArtist's "chevron" hoods specifically for 600EX Arabesque levers, and for these the fit is pretty good but for the sides overhanging at the lower front of the lever body, which affects performance not at all. There's also some interference with the lever blade beginning at about 3/4 travel, but a 1/8" trim of the front edge of the floor of the hood would eliminate any contact with the lever blade. The 600 levers are kind of shaped like the weinmann levers, so I expected a decent fit and these provide it, while the synthetic black rubber should outlast 600EX hoods 3-fold.

I can provide an email photo of the two levers here fitted with the chevron hoods.

David Snyder Auburn, CA usa

Fred Durrette wrote:
> John.
> Since there haven't been any other responses to your question about the
> Mafac brake lever hoods, I'll offer up my input. CycleArt (on their Ebay
> site) claims these hoods will also fit the Universal and Mafac brake
> levers. I've never tried them so I can't vouch for the fit. However, if
> these are the same style as the old Weinmann hoods, it would stand to
> reason that repro Weinmann hoods would work as well. Personally, I seemed
> to have better luck buying the complete Mafac brake levers with hoods
> rather than just the hoods themselves. This way, you get a set of used
> hoods but also extra levers at a more reasonable price than just new
> original hoods. The black hoods seem to deterriorate while the brown hoods
> just get hard, but I've been treating mine with a protectorant like
> Armorall that seems to prolong their life. Some may disagree with this,
> but it works for me. Hope this helps.