Cougrrcj

Looking at a lot of the pics in the C&V section got me to noticing all of the vintage full-sized frame pumps equipping our old rides. I've had the old Zefal HP on my Fuji S-10S since '76. Well, actually I'm on my third which is 'only' 25 years old - the first two having gotten bent on doggie noggins.

I had ditched the original downtube-mounted pump that came with the bike because I wanted a quick-release chuck instead of the silly screw-on hose.



What else are you guys using?

rootboy 

I've got three old Silca pumps. One is disassembled at the moment, getting ready to try to paint it. Never done this before.

jimmuller 

I still carry a Zefal HP on the UO8. Everything else has a Topeak Masterblaster Road, a pump which looks vintage enough. I figure a pump is a commodity, not a style element. If I could find good Zefal or Silca pumps without breaking the bank I'd consider them. Otherwise I'm content.

ScottRyder 

I've painted one or two Silcas, kind of fun to match it to livery or bar tape, etc. I'll even put on a spare decal if I have one:





Scott

AZORCH

I've a Silca with Campy head that fits perfectly onto the International; it also still functions beautifully (so I count my lucky stars!) Otherwise, a great big +1 for the Topeak MasterBlaster frame pump. It looks the part and throws plenty of air - very tough to beat. I've got a mini LeZyne which looks ok and is great in a pinch just to throw into a back pocket. It is the best mini I've ever used, btw, but given the option between a mini and a good frame pump, I'll go with the frame pump every time.

Just realized I'm pontificating... sorry! Silca is my vote for cool vintage pump.

rootboy 

That looks great, Scott. I'm struggling with type of paint now. I managed to get a perfect match,got lucky, with a Testor's enamel mix, for small touch up spots...but somehow I'm thinking that's not the ideal paint to use on a Silca. I'll have to clear coat it obviously. Did you mix your own colors?

rootboy 

All three of my vintage Silcas still seem to work fine, AZORCH, so I'm feeling triple lucky. Finding leathers for those is a real bear.

Ex Pres 

Zefal HP's can paint up nicely

rootboy 

Nice detailing on that Gitane. Did you clear coat the pump, Ex Pres?

Ex Pres 

I'm almost positive I did, as those were home-made decals (beldecal paper)

southpawboston

Silca Imperio on my Mercian:



Zefal Lapize with AFA express head on my Jeunet:

MrEss

+1 Silca Impero. Not sure if they're still in production or not, but several UK sites claim to have them in stock for around UKP10.

Yellow Jersey has repair parts, new leather washers and so forth. Don't fear if yours is worn out, just repair it!

MrEss

Can we see more of this? I thought the chrome Silcas were pretty tacky, until I saw this picture and now I'm changing my mind...

SJX426 

I have two Silca, that I really like. I have not had a problem with finding parts and both work well. I found one at the Recylclery in Portland Or for $15 with a Campy head! Works great and fits my Colnago well between the tubes. Dipped the "fork" of the head in material for coating tool handles to protect the paint from the chrome finish. Looked for pics but don't have any.
i would like to hear about the process in painting the pump. Like the idea. Both of mine are black and might look good in a different color.

Pars 

I still have my Silca Impero w/Campy metal head, though I don't often carry it. Good to know there are still parts to be had. This one was a stock color, and was a close enough match to the yellow on my RRA. I've never tried painting one, but would be interested in paint type, durability, etc.

That chrome one does look great on that Mercian (and the bike is very shiny as well)!

ColonelJLloyd 

Chrome Silca Impero. I also have several other 25" bikes including an all chrome one so this gets transferred around.

dbakl

I love the Silcas, I'm always buying more!

ScottRyder 

RB, I used a basic Testor's spray enamel "Light Blue". https://www.testors.com/category/573515/Spray_Paints

Came in a small can, easy to work with. On top of that I put a coat of clear with metallic flake. It's subtle enough than it can't be noticed in the photo but in the sun it's very close to the paint on the bike itself. The flake gave it much more depth.

Hey, have a great holiday on the Cape, watch out for the Pilgrims!

Scott

puchfinnland

rootboy- you of all people should have a set of leather grommet punches!
I use mine all the time in leather,paper and graphics tape

dbakl

In my experience, spreading the leather washer and regreasing usually solves the sealing problem. I'm not sure they can wear out; the rubber washer at the head is another matter. Any repair kits for the simple aluminum Zefals? Could use a few of those...

gaucho777 

^+1, I've used both grease and vasoline with success to rejuvenate the leather silca washers.

Michael Angelo 

Silca Pump On my Super Mondia.

rootboy 

Sure. I have grommet punches. And leather. I'll admit, it was over 20 years ago when I tried to fashion a new leather for a Silca.
Re-greasing the leather just didn't seem to work on that pump, as much as I tried everything I could think of, I just couldn't get the blow-by of air to stop. So, I tried to make another leather. I found it was not all that easy. I don't what the secret was but I never found it. Type of leather? Thickness? Soaking and forming the leather into a suitable cup? Beveling the edge of the leather correctly? I dunno. It didn't work for me.

Granted, that was the only Silca frame pump that I ever needed to try that on. My three current ones seem to work fine. I think I finally bought a new factory leather piston for it, but those are pretty difficult to find these days. Anyone know where to find them these days?

rootboy 

Thanks. You too Scott. Pretty quiet day here. My wife is off on yet another of her world jaunts so no big Thanksgiving celebration here. But then, we gave up on cooking turkeys long ago. Just too much for us and her parents.

OH. Almost forgot. I painted my Silca yesterday. I too used testors but since finding a color that was close was out of the question, I had to mix my own and shoot it through my airbrush. Looks great, and now I have to figure a proper clear coat for it as I don't think model paint will hold up by itself.
All I have in clear is high gloss enamel. Not sure that will look good.

Pars 

As for the leather washers, aren't these them?

https://www.loosescrews.com/index.cgi...id=20512113137