Spellscape

Hi all
I got 2 bikes for restoration for myself. Both has break levers without hood covers, One is Shimano Torney (blue dot) and one is MAFAC.
So my question is - Are coveres used for bikes in 1978-1979 ? Both on pictures in catalogs are without hoods.

hsuBM

Hi. If you’re fully restoring to showroom like condition, then I think you answered yourself.
But if you want both or at least one to be more comfortable yet still period-correct, rest assured, hoods were available back then.

randyjawa 

Yes and, usually, your need can be easily met through Ebay or Velo Orange(I have no experience with VO).

sloar 

It can look ok either way, I didn’t want to spend crazy money on Modolo hoods.

Narhay

My modolo speedy levers fit into dia compe 204 hoods like gloves.

https://velo-orange.com/products/dia...4-brake-levers

SurferRosa

I try to put Rustines on everything down here in the hood.

Chombi1 

At first, I did not like that Rustines molded their name on the hoods they sell, so I kind of ignored them for my builds, but I realized in the end that it is really great that a company like Rustines would supply the C&V community with replacement "pattern" hoods when nobody for years had even bothered to do so.
Thank you Rustines!

repechage

Rustiness Campagnolo form factor are pretty good, so are Soma Fab

yes, not concours, but there are no concours anymore

I really want the Rustines half hoods in Red for my Mafac levers... I found them but Not Cheap
59 euros
that will be 20% of what I have so far into the bike... perspective

Spellscape

Are covers matter for Eroica compliance?

Kabuki12

If I have hoods that fit I put them on . I think it gives a more finished look. That being said, I have a few bikes without hoods and it really doesn't bother me. I like the Universal Levers evan though it is said that they can crack at the base. I don't have covers for those but on one I wrapped a bit of cotton tape around the base.

randyjawa 

I am a Universal fan also, but mostly because they are what was originally fitted to the bike in question. The levers are of poor design considering all of us idiots who seem to think it a good idea to turn a bike upside down to work on it - doing so stresses the brake adjustment barrels on the tops of the lever base bodies...



The base will also crack in other places as well, even with proper use. Not only are the lever assemblies fragile but so too are the calipers. Attempting to toe-in a Universal by bending the caliper arms can and frequently does end in failure of the metal. Do not attempt to bend Universal caliper arms. I file an aluminum washer (made from a caliper mounting concave washer) in the form of a wedge, which when rotated can help to toe-in a caliper or even extend reach slightly (I do have a picture but cannot find it - sorry)...

As for finished look, hoods count. As for riding comfort, hoods count. As for Erocia, hoods are not an issue (I hope), As for a bit of tape over the bodies, I have done that but the results fall short of the mark, for me. I doubt that I will do it anymore...

mech986 

There are no requirements for brake lever hoods, your choice to use them or not. Eroica California allows aero and vintage exposed brake cable routing. (But see the specific country event rules just in case).

That said, I prefer gum rubber hoods for comfort when riding on the housings and changing hand positions. Also, I like the finished look of hoods but I’m used to Campagnolo brake appearance. For weight weenies, you save a tiny bit by leaving them off.

Kabuki12

Randyjawa, first of all- Nice Torpado! I have a similar treatment to my ItalVega with a wrap around the base. Even though I changed the brakes to Campagnolo NR , I kept the Universal levers . I polished the levers and left the bases grey looking. I have a two toned cotton tape scheme that changes from blue to black at the brake levers. My Colnago came with Campagnolo levers and Modolo gum hoods that fit very well and look finished. I am in the drops most of the time so I rarely have my hands on the lever bases but when I do , it is nice to have that cushion of a brake hood. Joe

randyjawa 

Thank you for the compliment. Not sure why, but old Torpado road bikes seem to have an affinity for me. Several have come my way, over the years. In fact, I am just finishing restoration right now (fender line will be set when my 700c x 28 gumwall tires arrive...


One other thing I that I forgot to mention was grime. A bit of sweat, coupled with bare aluminum, and one's hands can become dirty, thanks to the alloy. That dirt or rubb-off rapidly transfers to handlebar tape, depending on color and material used. Just one more reason to use hoods...

Kabuki12

YUP!!! that does look more finished. I have seen the Universal hoods on the bay but a little pricey. I only paid one Benjamin for the bike so I was going cheap. I love the bike so much , it might be time to spring for some hoods. Even though it is my "patina" bike , it rides like a new bike. I spent a year bringing it back to life , so the cost of nice hoods is justified.

1972 ItalVega Grand Rally-as found

Look Ma , No hoods!

SJX426 

Of all the brake levers assemblies, the Universal's look and feel really lousy without hoods. Sometimes I think the hoods keep the base from falling apart or cracking further! it is the sharp angles and slab sides that makes them so ugly without hoods. The advantage is that the hood material is really thick on the top of the base giving a very cushy feel.
Bought a couple of extra hoods from a source in Italy that used the original tooling, oh 6 years ago!
P1030183 on Flickr