Classic & Vintage - Shimano Non-Areo Brake Hoods

Does anyone know of a source for these or a substitute? I tried a set of gum Dia Compe hoods, but they did not fit. I need a set of black ones for a 1985 Trek 620 that I am going to flip and don't want to pay Banana Brain $30 and wait for weeks to get them.

If you can find some Weinmann hoods, they are a reasonable substitute.

Pictured on a set of Shimano 600 levers.

If you can find some Weinmann hoods, they are a reasonable substitute.

Pictured on a set of Shimano 600 levers.

Not! I had to perform surgery to put a set of Dia Compe hoods (same as Weinmann) on 600 levers about two weeks ago. If you don't mind doing a little bit of modification, they can work ok - but they aren't "right".

Crap, I have a feeling I'm going to spend way too much trying to find some for my 600 EX levers.

I think that if we're talking EARLY Shimano levers (like raverson's 600EX stuff) standard Dia-Compe will fit fine; I've had no problems with the combination in the past. But I have the feeling that fender1 is looking for hoods to fit the later style (6207s or something similar) from after Shimano started making Campy-pattern lever bodies and that's something else entirely. There used to be some AME hoods bouncing around eBay that'd fit (I grabbed some for the NR levers on my Trek... even if they're ugly) but the source seems to have dried up. Yellowjersey is out of 'em too and I couldn't find anything in my abbreviated search of the internet.

The hood situation really seems to be getting out of hand. Pretty soon we'll be ooh-ing and aah-ing over whether a bike has brake hoods instead of over the bike itself. If I knew anything at all about getting vinyl (et al) to do what I wanted it to do I'd seriously consider getting into the biz myself. Famous last words: how hard could it be/how much could it possibly cost? :)

I think that if we're talking EARLY Shimano levers (like raverson's 600EX stuff) standard Dia-Compe will fit fine....If I knew anything at all about getting vinyl (et al) to do what I wanted it to do I'd seriously consider getting into the biz myself. Famous last words: how hard could it be/how much could it possibly cost? :)

My levers are from about 1979, so I take it Dia-Compe hoods will be fine? Casting and making molds with modern products is actually pretty easy, at least in a very limited production capacity. If only I had some originals to start out with!

My levers are from about 1979, so I take it Dia-Compe hoods will be fine? Casting and making molds with modern products is actually pretty easy, at least in a very limited production capacity. If only I had some originals to start out with!

The 600 levers I had to perform surgery for were from the mid 80's. Perhaps the yours will not require that modification. Dia Compe still produces hoods (fit the Weinmanns perfectly), and they can be had for quite reasonable prices - even if the LBS has to special order them.

I got some nice generic hoods from Loose Screws couple weeks ago, they fit campy NR, Suntour Suberbe, etc.

I've been looking for correct hoods for first generation Dura Ace for years.

I got some nice generic hoods from Loose Screws couple weeks ago, they fit campy NR, Suntour Suberbe, etc.
Thanks for the tip. I just ordered a pair of gum hoods

I got some nice generic hoods from Loose Screws couple weeks ago, they fit campy NR, Suntour Suberbe, etc.

Think they'll fit these?

http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/coronadelmar/1980_600_BrakeLevers_NonAero_01.JPG

Could be, I would email them and ask. They have a number of varieties of hoods listed. Pretty nice folks.

I found a set of black Shimano 600 aero levers in one of my parts bins, so they will end up on the bike. They will probably make it more sale-able anyway as the bike is far from stock and headed for e-bay. Thanks everyone for the help.:D