Raleigh3256

One of my nephew just went away to start college and got a vintage Raleigh Competition that seems to be from 76-77 period. The handlebars brakes have dual levers (suicide levers). One of the screws holding one of the suicide levers came off and got lost. I am trying to find out the size of the lost screw but, unfortunately, the bike is not with me.

Andrew R Stewart 

Any old time bike shop likely has these screws in their used parts boxes. I can't say the actual thread dimension but around 1/4x20, M6 seem to come to mind. One issue or advantage is that these screws have only about 4 or 5 threads of overlap. So close enough is often good enough. Know that these screws were held in place by the tiny anti rotate out springs in the pivot stud. The screw was cut across it's end so the spring's last coil caught the screw and kept it from unthreading. Lacking the little spring expect frequent loosenings. The screws have a large head to better trap and contain the bushings.

BTW the Raleigh Comp didn't come with these levers as a OEM spec. But as many riders weren't flexible enough to ride the lever hoods or drops these secondary levers were often added as a bike shop option. The Weinmann levers could easily be converted to these extension levers, unfortunatly IMO.

Raleigh3256

I really appreciate your answer. I am beginning to like this forum already.

cny-bikeman

Please be aware that the suicide levers were given that name for a reason. They are useless in an emergency stop. Best to get rid of them.

Andrew R Stewart 

Note how I don't use that term. Andy