Hi Robert While I can't answer your hub/cone question, I thought I'd make a comment about the brakes.
Mine has Balilla brake levers (the ones with the little post sticking out of the hoods for the QR) with Balilla center pulls. The previous owner of mine also had a copy of the original ad sheet for these bikes and it does list this combination, not that I ever doubted it since I can not imagine why anyone would put these on by choice. If you are interested in a copy of this ad I can fax or mail one to you. Sorry don't have a scanner to email it.
I think either of your mentioned options would be a fine upgrade. If his is a later model perhaps it came supplied with brakes more appropriate for the year of the bike ...after the factory ran out of these Balilla's that they likely had laying around collecting dust. Should he be inclined to go "original" I have seen them, both calipers and levers, pop up on Ebay. There are some levers one there now but even earlier yet without the QR.
Might he be in need or want of a set of decals? I would like a set for mine and I believe another list member might be interested as well. Ed Litton was going to check with his decal maker to see if he has the art for it, which from his master list we think he might. I was apprehensive to have only a couple of sets made for myself due to the set-up cost but if muliple set can be run at one time the better for all. Mark Micheletti Foster City, Ca USA
On Fri, Jan 8, 2010 at 9:38 AM, <mrrabbit@mrrabbit.net> wrote:
> Good Morning All!
>
> I have been working on this the past couple of days, so here it goes:
>
> Recently a customer and regular "hang-arounder" of Bicycle Express of San
> Jose
> acquired for himself a Mirella.
>
> Yes Mr. Mic's, you aren't the only lucky guy!
>
> This particular Mirella is a titanium color with a hint of green. It is
> otherwise the same frame and fork as the one our member has that we rode
> with
> recently in Los Altos.
>
> I am giving restoration tips to the gentleman in question, he needs to put
> in
> bars that are 70's ish...same for saddle...same for 70's ish centerpull
> brakes
> from either Mafac or Universal.
>
> He already has the original Mafac / Universal levers - but they don't have
> that
>
> quick release mechanisms and hoods that our other SFBay Mirella owner has.
>
> Now here's the conundrum...
>
> Currently the bike is sporting 70's / 80's silver traditional clinchers
> with
> Miche hubs. He has the original Campy High-Flange tubular wheelset that
> came
> with the bike - but obviously prefers not to ride around on tubulars for
> now.
>
> Normally with Miche hubs, I prefer to avoid them...or put Campy cones in
> them
> cause as most of us know - those things will grind away overnight on a
> whim.
>
> However these Miche hubs have nice polished cones and the hubs are smooth.
> I'm
>
> not a 100% certain that the cones are Campy swaps.
>
> Question: Was there ever a 70's / Early 80's Miche hubset that came WITH
> quality polished, durable and smooth cones that stood the test of time?
>
> Miche Professional perhaps? What and where would be the markings?
>
> Searched the archives...found the following from Richard Cieclec:
>
>
> http://search.bikelist.org/
>
>
> Basically, if it turns out he has QUALITY original Miche hubs - I certainly
> wouldn't want to discourage their continued use.
>
> Thanks in advance...
>
> Robert Shackelford
> San Jose, CA USA
>
>
>
>
> --
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