Classic & Vintage - Are SIMPLEX parts becoming THAT rare?

I recently posted a WTB note in this forum. Someone kindly directed me to an ebay sale with just what I was looking for. --- I bought it. --- The parcel arrived today --- Surprise! The WRONG Simplex cable guide/stop was sent. ~ I'm now waiting to hear whether this was a simple fumble, and the whether the correct item is in fact available. I did a bit of research and the same photo was used in a January auction from the same seller... I know the Japanese buyer and sent him an email... he confirmed the correct part had been sent to him. - I've bought from this eBay Seller several times over the years and he's always been reliable... well, ... so far.

This is just yet another pitfall in my quest for what increasingly seems to be a very elusive little part. I know this seems nuts to fret over a silly cable guide. In fact virtually identical and perfectly functional pieces are commonly available - made by Falcon, Suntour, Shimano, Huret, and even Campagnolo! ... and most are even available in New-Old-Stock condition. However, in this case I'd really like to match the derailleurs and shifters with the proper part.

But it puzzles me how a minor piece which was probably sold in thousands or even millions during the 1970s and 1980s can now be so very hard to locate. Is it just me or have Simplex pieces now become such true rarities?


BTW: This is my current Holy Grail. Who would have thought it would be so elusive?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2384148093_a848be5e1e_o.jpg

I sent you a PM a while ago and never heard back.

I have one of those. :D

I might have one. Place a post if you still need and I'll rumage through my clips box.

I bought a NOS one a couple of months ago on eBay. I don't think I paid much for it.

Yeah, the stuff never seems to be there when you need it.

Fortunately, bigbossman has come to my rescue.

It still boggles my mind that so many French components were dumped into the US market during the 1970s. Now, just over the last few years, the once unlimited supply of what (for years) were largely unwanted parts seems to be drying up. Now many European Sellers on eBay are finally able to move their old French stuff too - and sometimes for truly outrageous prices.

Like these Mafac brakes?

http://cgi.ebay.com/MAFAC-RAREST-model_W0QQitemZ320241161876QQihZ011QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hah! :D Yeah, I noticed the Mafac auction too.

I suppose those are pretty rare and no doubt desired by a Japanese collector.

At a glance they look like the usual Dural Forge (later named "Racer") calipers. Those have bronze bushings, as did the later version made into the early 1960s... but the ones at auction also show oil holes drilled into the tops of the alloy arms - so you could lubricate the bushings around the pivot bolts. And the straddle wire hangers are fully enclosed so the wire threads through the open center - rather than open at the back as on all the various 1960s and later models of the simple little hangers. I've never even seen an actual set, only photos and illustrations, and they would indeed date from the 1950s... So, "Rare" would be an appropriate description I suppose... But, over $400 is definitely more than I ever would or could spend on a set of old brake calipers. :eek: