Bicycle Mechanics - Broken part - what is it?

Hi all -

I recently bought an old Maruishi and am in the process of thoroughly cleaning it. Tonight I was cleaning the rear brakes and in the process, broke a piece on the brake while trying to remove it. I have attached some pictures in hopes that it will help.

I'm not well-versed in technical bike jargon, so I don't know what it is called. This particular piece is part of the brake release lever. Can anyone tell me what this piece is called and how I can replace it? Thanks.

Small parts like that are hard to find on their own. You might want to keep an eye open for the same brake caliper it came off of at second-hand goods dealers/eBay/Craigslist/etc.
What brand and model is the caliper? Got a photo?

I believe the brakes are Dia Compe G, at least that's what I see stamped on them. Hope that helps at all. I'll try to put some pictures up when I get home tonight.

that's a cable-stop. Did this come from the brake lever housing on the handlebars?
It looks to be the part where the cable housing terminates, and the cable exits the housing to connect with the brake lever itself.

that's a cable-stop. Did this come from the brake lever housing on the handlebars?
It looks to be the part where the cable housing terminates, and the cable exits the housing to connect with the brake lever itself.
That's what I thought too but the hole seems to be the same diameter all the way through so there is no "shelf" for the housing to stop against. Possibly there is a separate cable adjuster that is a slip fit in the hole and uses a threaded nut or ring as the adjustment devise.

OK I just went and looked at my nashbar dual pivot calipers, along with an older set of single pivot 600EX and 105 caliper sets.
I thiink this is a piece from the cable-clamp/quick release mechanism that allows the clamped cable to rotate when the caliper closes, or the QR lever is flipped to let the wheel/tire pass through the caliper upon removal from the frame. That hold (uniform bore) has a pin that sits in it allowing it to rotate or pivot as the lever is flipped.

when I first looked at the images, I thought I saw a lip inside the bore for the ferrule to sit against. I run 1600x1200 res, so images are smaller than typical to me on this display. I can't always make out details unless it's high res.

good call, HillRider.

The piece in question is from the brake calipers. Like I said, I'm not well-versed in the proper terminology, but it was sitting inside the brake disconnect lever. GlassWolf, your description sounds right. The hole is the same diameter all the way through. Sorry about the poor quality pictures, my digital camera batteries were dead so I had to use the video cam at a lower resolution.

Looks like the quick release pivot/cable anchor (edit: like GlassWolf already stated). Yellowjersey may have a replacement for you. Be prepared for potential sticker shock.

http://www.yellowjersey.org/dcbitz.html

You might want to find a lbs that's a cooperative or non-profit...check the list on www.bikecollectives.org for a location near you.
They deal with lots of old stuff and may have just the part you're looking for, most likely for lots cheaper than a bike shop would sell it for less...

or just hit eBay and buy some old single pivot calipers, or nashbar for a new set of house brand dual pivots for $25

Same piece is used on headset and seat-lug mounted Weinmann centerpull cable stops w/built-in quick releases. Some older LBS's will have a couple NOS sitting in their bins.

-Kurt

I believe that's the pivot block that the barrel adjuster goes into at the caliper. I've seen a couple that use a pivoting block like that when the release cam is up at the housing end instead of down where the cable terminates.

It's going to be tough to replace unless you find a shop that keeps a lot of old school junk around. If you're trying to keep it original then I'd take some pictures of the calipers themselves and see if the Classic and Vintage guys can help out.

Or if you just want to ride the thing and you're not too worried about keeping it original then fit some new brakes instead. The new dual pivot sets work super nice.

I believe that's the pivot block that the barrel adjuster goes into at the caliper. I've seen a couple that use a pivoting block like that when the release cam is up at the housing end instead of down where the cable terminates.
<snip>
Or if you just want to ride the thing and you're not too worried about keeping it original then fit some new brakes instead. The new dual pivot sets work super nice.

BCRider is exactly right. I used to break those regularly when I worked in a shop (back when Dia-Compe G brakes were high-tech... and dinosaurs roamed the Earth). I have a couple in my pile o' parts... somewhere.

You can replace it with a straight barrel-adjuster mount if you can get along without a quick release. This might be easier than finding an identical replacement. This part is available from Loose Screws:
http://www.loosescrews.com/index.cgi?d=single&item_id=DC-B64.15