67tony 

I've got a nice pair of Shimano Arabesque brake levers, aero, but do not find them on velobase.
Are they an early '90's iteration of something? Are they 600, Ultegra, or DA equivalent?

I've slowly gathered an almost entire 7400 Dura Ace group set, sans the ultra-pricey stem and seatpost.
Oddly, I'm also waiting for a semi-grail appropriate-era frame to fall into my lap.

Call me crazy, and even though I already have the 74?? scooped-out 8-speed brifters, I'm now thinking of making a bar end/brake lever build. I'm a touch worried about the long-term reliability, and complexity, of the brifters. Plus, my mustached Koga Miyata has bar ends and I love them.

My search for Dura Ace 74xx levers with hoods is not going well, so at the risk of raising purist ire...I may use the Arabesque levers until I find a DA match. Who will know except C & V members!

kansascity 

I think these are Dia Compe Gran Compe Aero Brake Levers.

67tony 

Duh...I guess I figured that to be a fancy "A" design, for Arabesque. Thanks for clearing that up!

Doing some research I see they are Dia Compe AGC 251's, in their '86+ Aero Gran Compe group.
Rated "exceedingly rare", with a 5/5 score for quality, so I'm glad about that.
They're in very good condition, and sprung, so I imagine they'll suffice in a pinch.

SoCaled 

rccardr 

Which iteration DA levers are you looking for?
If 7400 six speed non-aero, just be patient. not many out there now but they do show up from time to time and even if scratched up they canbe completely disassembled and polished. Campy SR knockoff hoods fit pretty well, and the frenchnones are OK too.
If 7401seven speed aero, the bodies are the same as Shimano 600 6209. Right now someone has a pair of hoodless DA levers on eBay and another seller has some 6209 levers with decent black hoods (although listed as just Shimano 600 lever, not 6209’s). Another lever that can be disassembled and polished.
If 7402 eight speed levers, you might want to consider buying two separate rights- two separate sellers each have one on eBay right now. Not hard to make them work. Otherwise, again patience. If a good set comes up for under a hunny, pounce.

SJX426 

@67tony - I think you want these equivalents.
P1020146 on Flickr

If you already have a DA BB, which one is it, Italian or English? That will limit your frame selection.
This bike came with DT index 8 v shifters which are awesome.
I decided the price for the DA STI levers was more than I was will in to chance WRT durability. The bike now sports Campagnolo Racing T with 9 v and Ergos which are also awesome after rebuild with new springs and index rings and hoods.
2023-02-02_06-36-50 on Flickr

67tony 

SJX, that's a beautiful Pinarello, thanks for the link and pictures.
My BB is English, and I will bear that in mind while pondering frames.

Dr. Cannondale, great info about the DA lever versions. I'm thinking 7401 or 7402, aero.
You give me hope that I might be able to pair aftermarket hoods to them, and get away with it.

There is actually another C&V member that offered a pair of 7401's...I will be contacting him for the details.

rccardr 

Can’t pair aftermarket hoods to 7401 or 7402 (except maybe those recent new moldings) only 7400 non aero.
If it were me, I’d be looking for nice 7402’s. Much better piece of equipment.

67tony 

Thank you...good info!

With all my other DA bits, I kind of don't want the levers labeled anything else.
Looks like I'll hold out for the 7402's, already equipped with acceptable hoods.

If it takes a while, I can always temporarily use the Dia Compe AGC 251's pictured above.
They're in great condition, look good, are sprung, and unmarked except for the fancy "A".

67tony 

I understand the Shimano 6209's are well-regarded, but what about the 6403 Super SLR Ultegra offering?
It's tagged Shimano, but omits any other designation. Plus...much more attractive pricing!

rccardr 

They’ll work just fine but have a gray finish to match the Tricolor group. There are hoods out for them as well, and relatively cheap.
BL-R600’s will also work well, are polished and available for less than 7402’s.

67tony 

Before buying these 6403 Super Compe SLR's off fleabay, I asked the seller if they were silver...he said yes.
Hoods look good, no visible scratches, and a very reasonable price.

Now, I've got levers with white hoods and black hoods, while I wait for the elusive hooded 7402's.

rccardr 

Those look like BL-R600’s. Same lever body as 6403’s, use the same hoods.
Dura Ace equivalent for 7700/7800. Very nice levers!

67tony 

Interesting. Here's another picture, showing the badging.
The hoods do say SLR, so maybe the seller mis-labeled them.
They were only $30, so I'm not that bothered, especially if they are a good quality lever.

rccardr 

Yep, BL-R600’s. An excellent brake lever, have them on at least a half dozen bikes. Great price,too.

repechage

as a group look a bit like menacing teeth.