Classic & Vintage - Brake Cables Needed

I need some replacement brake cables. The levers I have need an unusually large barrel on the end. The "normal" barrel end is too small. The cable is also quite large in diameter but that is not a necessity. The existing cables look almost as if they were intended for a motorcycle, that's how large they are. The levers are Shimano.

Does anyone stock these?

Should I go to a dirt bike shop (off-roading parts place)?

Good morning. Are you trying to cable Shimano road levers or mtn levers?

Post up a picture of the end that won't work and get pointed in the right direction, I'm sure of it :)

pics would help alot. back in the early '90s there was some really fat MTB brake cablesbut that kinda died out

Yes, to you both.

The levers are Shimano mountain bike levers. They look like a dirt bike lever. The LBS owner said they are no longer available. I thought there might be a supply available online.

Pics are tough because the existing cables are installed on the bike. They use a barrel end where the cable enters the barrel on the round side not the flat end of the barrel. As I mentioned, the barrel itself is larger in diameter and longer than the typical brake cable barrel. It also has a very thick cable.

Perhaps, I should just buy new levers. It's just that these are really very nice, albeit very mountain/dirt bike-ish. What do you think?

I'm familiar with the levers and cables you're talking about. It's oversize stuff that was used on mountain bikes for a short time. I remember reading that you can get the cables from a motorcycle shop. You can also adapt the levers to accept standard cables and housings.

Thanks for that. I have an off-road vehicle parts shop/dealership near my office. I can go at lunch tomorrow.

I may just buy new levers, as they include a set of new cables and allow me to use the many cable spares I already have. I'm keeping all the OEM parts for this bike in a box, two more levers in there won't make any difference.