Universal 77 Brake Lever Hood replacement ideas
 

I'm trying to restore my 1981 Bianchi Nuovo Racing bike to as much of the original look as possible, and I would like to replace the cracked Universal Mod 77 brake hoods. Looking online it looks like these have been out of production for some time now. Is anyone aware of good replacements for them?

I would love to find the same color replacement for them. The forum will not let me post the link or image, but it's a gum rubber looking orange color, I believe.
EDIT: here's the photo
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c98c1a5de5.jpg



I've read some other forum posts where people are looking for similar hoods, but did not see a consensus on what works. I'm U.S. based, if that helps for sourcing.

I've used A'me Modolo-copy hoods on mod. 77 levers. Since the Modolo hoods interchange with Campagnolo, I suspect any generic Campagnolo repop hood would work.

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/ame.jpg

Do you have a link to the exact product you think would work?

Search for "Modolo brake hoods" on eBay. Any 919 or 920 set would fit Campy levers, so presumably those Universal 77s as well. (I've no personal experience with them, however.)

https://velo-orange.com/collections/...ake-hood-cover

They are available from other vendors as well. VO also sells the Modolo style hoods.

The Campy shape hood was widely used in the 70s and 80s, and was a de facto roadie standard. Also used by Superbe, Gran-Compe, Modolo, later Universals, and many others.

Thank you. It looks like they are out of stock in the gum color, but I will keep looking for something similar. Is the modolo style also a match?

EDIT: I think I found them in stock on modernbike
https://www.modernbike.com/velo-orange-rustines-campy-style-brake-lever-hoods

Definitely look at rustines.
I picked mine up from fleabay for 22 shipped

A couple years ago I found these Model 61 hoods from Italy on Ebay for $40 a pair. They were perfect reproductions, so perfect that they rotted away in 3 years, just like the originals. They got me thru 2016 Eroica, then died. I found some again last year, also on Ebay. They are out there if you keep looking. They also come in black, and white, too I think. The black rubber boots on the adjusters lasted even less than the gummed hoods, then rotted and disappeared. The second set of hoods did not include the boots.

Edit: I just checked Ebay, and there are black, white and gummed Universal hoods on there from $40 to $100. How bad do you want them?
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...454b32dee7.jpg
First set of replacements, cracked after less than 3 years, used on 2016 Eroica.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dfb17e4ba1.jpg
Newest replacements, just before last year's Eroica. Bar tape was temporary to check placement of levers. After a year, these are still hanging in there.

These hoods are from Rustines and some were available thru VeloOrange, but I don’t see them on the VO site now. Might be worth a call tho’.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0b38cdfe1.jpeg

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Thank you. ;)

Your Leggy wears the model 306 lever.

The OP's model 77 brakeset came with levers which are more of an ergonomic shape, similar to Campag and Modolo. So they take a different model bootie.

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For longevity I have found a product called 303 Protectant to be very helpful. AFAIK it is the only dressing for rubber/vinyl to be made without amines.

Living in a major urban area shortens hood life due to ozone levels. If one lived in Montana or Wyoming hood life would likely be longer.


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