Simplex bar end retrofriction shifters.
#1
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Simplex bar end retrofriction shifters.
Here's a quick link to a pair currently listed on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nice-Simplex...item19d9acc990
I've read somewhere that these were the Simplex company's first retrofriction offering, from the early '70s.
They appear to be intact & in good shape, hope they're useful to someone here.
I've read somewhere that these were the Simplex company's first retrofriction offering, from the early '70s.
They appear to be intact & in good shape, hope they're useful to someone here.
#2
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Now you've done it! It will certainly go for lots and lots of money with half the C&V world finding out about the auction here!............ Before you posted, it might have gone for just lots of money.......
Chombi
Chombi
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Hehehe...got it! Thanks for the tip!
$ I guess BIN 79 bucks wasn't a bad price, considering a lot of standard retrofriction shifters had gone for that much and more.... and this one looks to be in very good condition, much better than most I've seen in the past. Had to check if they really were retrofrictions in the pics. I could just see signs of a spring end between the mounting body and the levers......wouldn't know 100% till I get them, I guess, but I guess that's the chances I had to take to finally snag a set of them...
Now I have to find a bike to build around it! Or maybe......I can pass it on to someone here who'll need it more than me for a classic/70's Tout French build in the near future....
Chombi
$ I guess BIN 79 bucks wasn't a bad price, considering a lot of standard retrofriction shifters had gone for that much and more.... and this one looks to be in very good condition, much better than most I've seen in the past. Had to check if they really were retrofrictions in the pics. I could just see signs of a spring end between the mounting body and the levers......wouldn't know 100% till I get them, I guess, but I guess that's the chances I had to take to finally snag a set of them...
Now I have to find a bike to build around it! Or maybe......I can pass it on to someone here who'll need it more than me for a classic/70's Tout French build in the near future....
Chombi
#6
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Are the ones in that auction actually retrofriction? Seemed to be some dissension on velobase regarding some that looked like that?
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Nicely done there!
Bike projects have been started around lesser components...
I have a pair for a French fashion touring project, and a spare for backup(in case one of them springs fail). A demultiplicator is specifically designed for these levers, and recommended for use when pairing with a vintage rear derailleur.
Glad to hear they've found a good home!
I have a pair for a French fashion touring project, and a spare for backup(in case one of them springs fail). A demultiplicator is specifically designed for these levers, and recommended for use when pairing with a vintage rear derailleur.
Glad to hear they've found a good home!
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Chombi
#9
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Didn't mean to pee in your Cheerios! When I looked at the auction, I also said, given the starting vs. BIN price, why would you let it go to bid, so good job just snagging them.
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Same question, and I can't find anything definitive. Some say Simplex never made retrofriction barcons. I have a NOS set that I put on my MTB drop bar & road tires conversion that look identical and have no springs. Chombi, I can send you a scan of the tout francais documentation with parts diagrams, pm me if you want them.
#11
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Having just rebuilt a couple of sets of retrofrictions, and looking at the auction pictures showing the placement of the spring ends, I would be very confident those are retrofriction bar-ends. It would seem that the very design of the retrofriction mechanism lends itself to nicer integration as a bar-end shifter than as a down tube shifter, and perhaps that's why Simplex introduced the mechanism in their bar-ends first, and later in down tube shifter form?
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I see it now in photo 6. Mine don't have that bit. QED.
#14
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Yes, they are.
I have both versions - retrofriction and non-retrofriction bar-ends - mounted on my PX10s. The difference is clearly visible from the outside (apart from the above mentioned tiny spring end slot): the retrofriction variant's levers are significantly wider around the pivotal axis.
First comment and third picture on Velobase are mine. I was, perhaps ambiguously, referring to the barcos in the first two pics on V.B. allegedly being retrofriction shifters, as stated ("shifting systems"). What I still believe they actually are not...
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.as...=104&AbsPos=10
I have both versions - retrofriction and non-retrofriction bar-ends - mounted on my PX10s. The difference is clearly visible from the outside (apart from the above mentioned tiny spring end slot): the retrofriction variant's levers are significantly wider around the pivotal axis.
...Seemed to be some dissension on velobase regarding some that looked like that?
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.as...=104&AbsPos=10
Last edited by qd-s; 03-08-13 at 06:51 AM.
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Well, I got it!...A little late because of some delay with USPS but the shifters are as what was pictured in the eBay auction.
It looks to be in barely used condition. the lever rubber cores look brand new, no cracks or splits on them and they are not hardened. The cable grooves do not even have cable marks on them yet. could have been a take-off from a new bike a long time ago, or the owner just did not adjust to barends and took them off....
At first I was alarmed as the levers felt limp going both directions, but I noticed that the pivot bolt and locknuts were loose. After disassembly, and cleaning, I reassembled it with the bolts tightened as how I would have it on my other retrofrictions, and the levers "re-retrofied"! So they are indeed retrofriction bar end levers! Friction is applied in only one direction of the lever swings....
As for the hard to get at locknut for the pivot bolt end, I have a mini open end wrench set that worked great at getting them. But as GB noted, most other wrenches and sockets will not be able to get at it. I'm thinking of just maybe removing the two nuts and replacing it with an appropriate sized Nylock nut, but I'll figure that out when I mount it on a project bike, I guess....
Thanks for the heads up on these again Shaneferd! I've been wating such a long time for a chance to snag a good pair of these!
Chombi
Last edited by Chombi; 03-16-13 at 06:19 PM.
#20
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Here you go:
https://www.sears.com/search=ignition...e=CAT_REC_PRED
Mine are probably 30 years old. It's been along time since I've had to work on a distributor.
https://www.sears.com/search=ignition...e=CAT_REC_PRED
Mine are probably 30 years old. It's been along time since I've had to work on a distributor.
#21
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Here you go:
https://www.sears.com/search=ignition...e=CAT_REC_PRED
Mine are probably 30 years old. It's been along time since I've had to work on a distributor.
https://www.sears.com/search=ignition...e=CAT_REC_PRED
Mine are probably 30 years old. It's been along time since I've had to work on a distributor.
Chombi
#22
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There is quite a definitive thread on Retrofrictions here.
At the risk of cross-threading, I'll add a photo of my retrofriction bar ends - one exploded for details and compared to a disassembled DT Retrofriction. The bar end naturally matches the diagram above (save the broken spring).
At the risk of cross-threading, I'll add a photo of my retrofriction bar ends - one exploded for details and compared to a disassembled DT Retrofriction. The bar end naturally matches the diagram above (save the broken spring).
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