mark d

bike: 1987 panasonic dx-5000

part: shimano 600 brake hoods

i have the worlds worst brake hoods. i think they were white originally. they are sticky disgusting messes now. i wrapped in white electrical tape which made them slightly less offensive. tried to source on ebay but either not available or ridiculously expensive.

so has anybody tried plast dip for this application ? in search i found some guys talking about doing it to bar end shifters, but did not see anything for the after application report

any other ideas ?

as always thanks

shelbyfv

You can get a set of Tektro RL340 for less than $30. Added feature of a QR included.

rccardr 

Cane Creek/Dia Compe also makes a $10 set of brake hoods that fit pretty well.

mark d

thks for the info. would like to keep the components correct to the original. silly i know

the levers are aero. do you think this would work ?

thks guys

natloz

I bought some de-greaser called "Oil Eater" and my old sticky hoods went from sticky blackened white to decent white hoods in a few minutes of soaping up with the stuff and then rinsing off.

natloz

Before, sorry i don't have a closeup


After, these are 30 year old hoods

mark d

hey natloz, . i am definitely interested in this idea. your before is a bit better then mine but maybe this would work

thks

natloz

I can't speak to other de-greasers, but this "Oil Eater" is great. Environmentally safe, cleans up greasy bike parts, derailleurs, plastic components very nicely. Can be used for a ton of things, including in your laundry if you so desire.
https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=oil+eater+...l_9d2svh03pl_e

2cam16

I've tried the plastidip before and it just peeled off after a few rides.

rccardr 

What model are the brake levers? 1987 could be tricolor or 6209, both came in white.

BoraxKid

Looks like NOS parts are right here:

https://www.velosaloon.com/collectio...d-from-1988-90

$35 USD + shipping is pretty cheap, but you have to hurry. Maybe see if you can buy 2 sets so you'll have a spare?

Edit: the pricing is for only the left lever, and shipping cost is ~$24 USD, so total cost would be ~$59 to buy this NOS replacement brake lever. However, there are other options on that website.

fietsbob

I made my Gum hoods last a lot longer by gluing leather over them ,, thin 'glove' leather..

mark d

they are white 6209....thks

mark d

interesting....but sounds like the type of project i would muck up...but hmmmm

mark d

damn. that's what i was afraid of. thks for passing on

mark d

so close to $100 for 2 hoods. those are the kind of prices i have been seeing and a bit too steep considering i paid $50 for the bike. damn

i appreciate you passing on this info, thks

gios

Would any of those two ^ fit a Shimano 105?

Pop N Wood

Good info. Any idea how this compares to Purple Power? I use that on car parts and it is hands down the best thing I have ever used to clean a gas grill

rccardr 

6209 replacements are tough to find and expensive. The only other hood that is a direct replacement is a Dura Ace 7401, they use the same lever body. No other hood will be a direct fit, but you may find some that are close if you experiment- or another member may come up with something that fits well enough to use. Likely they will not be white, however.

Tektro, TRP or Cane Creek levers will work just fine and most people find them comfortable. You might also consider Shimano R400 levers, which are out there for around $30-40 and are Ultegra level with polished blades & black hoods.

mark d

thks for the dura ace heads up. i did not know that, also the other ideas

natloz

No idea on comparisons as this is the first one I started using and am pleased enough to continue.

BoraxKid

No, it's $59 USD for the entire left lever (not just the hood), but only the left, as there was no right-side companion lever listed. There are other, period-correct, white-hooded brake levers listed on that site, but they are not the Shimano 600 that you currently have on your bike.

Here's a set of shimano adamas for ~$48 USD that looks off-white in the photos:

https://www.velosaloon.com/collectio...om-the-1980s-1

It seems like your options are either: pay ~$80 USD for some period-correct levers, pay ~$100 for whatever you found on ebay, or pay <$50 for a set of completely new levers from Tektro. Otherwise, you can keep looking for that needle in the haystack, but it seems doubtful that you'll find the deal you're looking for.

BoraxKid

I took one more shot and found these hoods:

NOS Shimano 600 Aero Brake Lever Hoods: White - BL-6400 - Bike Recyclery

as well as these:

https://www.amazon.com/cyclingcolors.../dp/B07HB44HJ4


Maybe one of those options will work?

Crankycrank

Shimano 6403 hoods will work for 600 brakes and can be found cheap. A short search only turned up black versions but you may have better luck. I believe vinyl paint may work to turn it white for awhile anyways or maybe there are better ways to color them. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?rt=n...ft+%26+1+Right

shelbyfv

#rccardr Yes, I'd forgotten about these. They would look just right.