Campy downtube shifter cable stuck in lever
07-08-21, 01:28 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 898
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
Campy downtube shifter cable stuck in lever
I know this has been discussed before , but wondering if anyone has come up with a solution ?
There are a few ideas I have read, but not any " follow up" with solutions.
Here are a few pics.
Shifter is off the bike with cable attached.
AND....does anyone know what size head end is ?
Appreciate any and all help.
There are a few ideas I have read, but not any " follow up" with solutions.
Here are a few pics.
Shifter is off the bike with cable attached.
AND....does anyone know what size head end is ?
Appreciate any and all help.
Last edited by bikemike73; 07-08-21 at 01:39 PM.
07-08-21, 01:53 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,674
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 839 Post(s)
Liked 1,061 Times
in
745 Posts
Try clamping the cable with vise grips, a vise, etc. and twist the lever in the direction that tightens the cable spiral. This might loosen the head so it can come out easier. Adding a little penetrating fluid for at least a day can't hurt either. Also a soldering iron can be used to melt the head or get it soft enough to move.
Last edited by Crankycrank; 07-08-21 at 02:01 PM.
Likes For Crankycrank:
07-08-21, 02:02 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 898
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
That sounds great Cc !!!!!
I am wondering if a glue gun tip ( without the glue of course) would be hot enough to soften the head .........??
Really appreciate your help !
I am wondering if a glue gun tip ( without the glue of course) would be hot enough to soften the head .........??
Really appreciate your help !
07-08-21, 02:52 PM
#5
Droid on a mission
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 1,005
Bikes: Diamondback Wildwood Classic
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 317 Post(s)
Liked 280 Times
in
195 Posts
Agree a glue gun will not generate enough heat. I might try dimpling the center of the head with an awl and then carefully (slowly) try drilling it out with a bit just smaller then the head to break it up. We have been successful doing this same type of operation in the past.
__________________
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
Likes For JoeTBM:
07-08-21, 02:53 PM
#6
Generally bewildered
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 3,037
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
251 Posts
First approach would be to carefully put the lever in a vise, then use a thin needle nosed plier to grab the cable opposite the Bowden stop (this type of cable is called a Bowden cable, in case you're interested) and then push. If the needle nose is thin enough you'll grab the cable really close to the lever. And the first push would be like 0.2 mm. If this didn't work I'd clip the cable as close as possible to the lever, and use a pin vice with 1mm wire to push. The cable should be 1.2mm I think.
07-08-21, 02:58 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 898
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
I believe you are correct Cc !!
Glue gun probably will not be hot enough.
I have tried to twist it.
I may cut a notch in the head and use screwdriver to loosen.
What do you think of cold??
Like putting in a freezer overnight?
Or letting it soak in fluid??
Thank you again for your time and help.
I did not put this cable in BTW.
I have campy cables ready to go.
Other side cable head comes out
Glue gun probably will not be hot enough.
I have tried to twist it.
I may cut a notch in the head and use screwdriver to loosen.
What do you think of cold??
Like putting in a freezer overnight?
Or letting it soak in fluid??
Thank you again for your time and help.
I did not put this cable in BTW.
I have campy cables ready to go.
Other side cable head comes out
07-08-21, 03:11 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Penetrating oil and/or the freezer. That's a 'Shimano' cable end, you should see how the Campy are slightly smaller and a different shape.
07-08-21, 03:37 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,674
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 839 Post(s)
Liked 1,061 Times
in
745 Posts
Agree a glue gun will not generate enough heat. I might try dimpling the center of the head with an awl and then carefully (slowly) try drilling it out with a bit just smaller then the head to break it up. We have been successful doing this same type of operation in the past.
07-08-21, 03:43 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,806
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1944 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
Since this isn’t C&V, once it is out does it make sense to enlarge the hole enough to fit a Shimano compatible cable?
On downtube shifters it seems like a pretty easy task.
John
On downtube shifters it seems like a pretty easy task.
John
07-08-21, 03:48 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 898
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
Thanks again everyone for all the great replies!!!
I have many drill bits....pretty new ....and will use this method.
I was thinking about drilling as well.
Very happy that it has worked in the past for someone here on this invaluable site with the best people!!!!
I'll update as soon as I am successful...
Thank you all again!!🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Very much appreciated
I have many drill bits....pretty new ....and will use this method.
I was thinking about drilling as well.
Very happy that it has worked in the past for someone here on this invaluable site with the best people!!!!
I'll update as soon as I am successful...
Thank you all again!!🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Very much appreciated
07-08-21, 08:22 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 797 Times
in
446 Posts
I know this has been discussed before , but wondering if anyone has come up with a solution ?
There are a few ideas I have read, but not any " follow up" with solutions.
Here are a few pics.
Shifter is off the bike with cable attached.
AND....does anyone know what size head end is ?
Appreciate any and all help.
There are a few ideas I have read, but not any " follow up" with solutions.
Here are a few pics.
Shifter is off the bike with cable attached.
AND....does anyone know what size head end is ?
Appreciate any and all help.
07-08-21, 09:06 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,480
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 966 Post(s)
Liked 1,629 Times
in
1,045 Posts
I got one of these out using and old metal ball point pen refill. It was dry and it just barely fit over the cable. After cutting off a section I threaded the cable through it and tapped the head out. It worked!!!
I am not sure but I think the pen cartridge was from and old Cross pen.
I am not sure but I think the pen cartridge was from and old Cross pen.
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
07-09-21, 02:58 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minas Ithil
Posts: 9,173
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2432 Post(s)
Liked 638 Times
in
395 Posts
I had that problem once and I heated the shift lever with my heat gun then used some needle nose pliers to grab the cable and "push" it out. Came out pretty easily.
I bought a cheap heat gun about 20 years ago and it's one of the smartest things a home mechanic can get. Used it just a couple of days ago to break the drive cups loose on a cartridge bottom bracket before I stripped them with my tool and then I removed some ugly rim decals on another bike yesterday.
I bought a cheap heat gun about 20 years ago and it's one of the smartest things a home mechanic can get. Used it just a couple of days ago to break the drive cups loose on a cartridge bottom bracket before I stripped them with my tool and then I removed some ugly rim decals on another bike yesterday.
07-09-21, 03:53 AM
#15
elcraft
I drilled a tiny hole in the lead stop and twisted in a mini wood screw. I was ble to wiggle and pull with a plier until the lead end came out.
07-09-21, 04:59 AM
#16
Industry guy
The perils of using generic shift wires with Campagnolo.
Campagnolo makes their spec's slightly different on such things.
rusty
Campagnolo makes their spec's slightly different on such things.
rusty
07-09-21, 06:06 AM
#17
elcraft
“The Curse of Proprietary parts”! I am finding this manufacturing tendency becoming more and more common. From Hot Tub filters to watch parts, many manufacturers seem to want a long term “subscription” relationship with their customers. Don’t even get me started about the Trek Madone Seatmast.....
Likes For elcraft:
07-09-21, 06:07 AM
#18
elcraft
“The Curse of Proprietary parts”! I am finding this manufacturing tendency becoming more and more common. From Hot Tub filters to watch parts, many manufacturers seem to want a long term “subscription” relationship with their customers. Don’t even get me started about the Trek Madone Seatmast.....
07-10-21, 05:37 AM
#19
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,624
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3888 Post(s)
Liked 6,488 Times
in
3,211 Posts
Likes For SurferRosa:
07-10-21, 06:43 AM
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 898
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
Have not drilled it out yet. Going to the bike shop, who is a friend of mine to drill it out.
Waiting to get some " soft jaws" to put in the vise.
Have NEW cables which are campy 1.1 mm
Will update when cable is out.
Thank you again for all the great responses
Waiting to get some " soft jaws" to put in the vise.
Have NEW cables which are campy 1.1 mm
Will update when cable is out.
Thank you again for all the great responses
