I've been keeping my eyes open for a very rare front rack, and it occurred to me that I probably won't see one anytime soon. Then I got to thinking...

What odd little part has most eluded your canny eye through the years?

Is it immediately necessary? Generally useful? Or just desirable? If so, why?

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Obscure?? Not really obscure, but I am always on the lookout for brake lever hoods for my Spidel/MAFAC LSX, Weimann 400 Carrera and Universal AER, sidepull brakesets, because such had become close to unobtanium these days. Also always on the lookout for dark anodized Mavic 630 SSC Crankset and Stronglight 107 black anodized chainrings, because of the same reason.

The most obscure part I ever looked for was this Simplex SJA222 FD. Of course I'm not still looking, so you can disregard this note.

What is so obscure about it is that it is bolt-on mount that bolts directly a hole in the ST, not to a brazed-on bracket. The noteworthy feature is that I started looking as soon as I saw the frame for sale and found one almost immediately.

Of course it is the individuals need that drives the response. Mine is the need for a Campagnolo Super Record crown race used but in excellent condition. I may have one but haven't checked it out yet. The reason for obscurity is the fact that it often splits upon installation. Unlike the NR, it has much less material, with a lower profile. Why one is needed is due to having one that is split on my Colnago. The mechanism of failure can be as simple as having paint on the crown seat with the OD being at the limit of tolerance. Ping!

I mentioned this before, several years ago. I put the split on the back side of the crown, thinking that it would experience less force. Others have suggested that it be in the 3 or 4 o'clock position for a more uniform dynamic force. In any case, it is not felt when turning the fork so it continues to service well.

Chain cover for my "spare" Simplex 543 derailleur.

Also, when I build up my Drysdale, am considering a front derailleur, preferably Campy, with a lever sprouting from it, without paying eBay's 2nd-mortgage prices.

Zeus brake cable adjuster. I only need 1.
edit: Zeus New Racer brake lever top screw (per the-bay).

What kind of very rare front rack?

The safe two bolt version of the old Icon Graphite stem in 90mm. Been looking for months with no luck. Need it to finish fitting this unique lemond to my specs.

Thanks for asking that. I couldn't believe he would not state that in a thread he started.

Not rare, but a 1980's 5-speed Suntour Freewheel that isn't priced like it's the Hope Diamond (in my budget's scheme of things). Same with Zefal Solibloc pumps - there seem to be no shortage of them on ebay, but are they really worth as much as people are asking for them? I had modified a Solibloc back in the 80s to fit up inside the seat post (then QR into seat tube of my MTB). I'd like to make a new one.

I get on kicks where I get obsessed about some dorky part. Sometimes it'll be for one of my ridiculous "secret plans" that never actually come to fruition. (IE: building up my Trek 400 in early 90s Superbe Pro, or all 6400). Sometimes it's a matter of hunting something down- not being able to find a clean one- getting a beat up one... then finding a really obnoxiously overpriced clean one- then I have 2 but I'm reluctant to get rid of one...

Unfortunately, even if I wanted to sell some of the "treasures" I've accumulated- I seem to be the only one who's either interested, or is interested in paying as much as I was at the time I acquired it...

What size? I have some buried in the garage if you're not in a hurry, used so I do not know how good one of them might be for you.

Tthat's a beautiful bike; is that a custom paint job? It's purdy as a Zunow!

Who? You mean, me? Are my obscure questions really that annoying?

If you must know, the rack in question is a pre-1980, Bridgestone-issued demi-porteur rack (a lot of hyphens in there, no?). They were kinda unique, like a cross between the Soma demi-porteur & a TA mini-rack. That said, I'm more interested in the odd little parts you guys are looking for; like [MENTION=190941]jimmuller[/MENTION]'s simplex derailleur, it's really fascinating to read.

Otherwise, I've been keeping my eyes open for a pair of original SunTour DT cable adjusters. I used to have a set of these on my old RB-2 & they got sold with the bike; I knew they were different at the time, but had I known I'd never see another pair for less than $50, I'd have kept them.

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Sort of! Greg Lemond himself had a small number of these done to present to some cycling friends. I lucked out into getting my hands on one of them. Not sure how many but one of the guys associated with these said there was only "a handful" of them made.

They shot me a pic of Greg with the gang and one of the bikes. Finding one of those Jerseys would be amazingly awesome!

My dignity?

I'm a firm believer in both synchronicity and serendipity.

Both can be seen as moving in accordance with the Tao.

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Dust cap for first generation Mikashima Unique road pedal.

BTW - IIRC we have had this thread previously; do other readers remember it?

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Not a piece, but a frame. A Lejeune Champion du Monde Special Reynolds 753 in 52-54cm ctc. Thought I had one lined up about a year ago, but I could not get clear enough photos of it for me to pull the trigger. If I buy something from a EU vendor, they get a note from me offering a finder's fee for info leading to a buy.

Well, there's also a long-standing and stickied ISO thread, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to renew attention on the particularly dearly sought bits.

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thank you.

no. this was a similarly titled discussion thread about the weirdest/strangest/oddest/most obscure item one is looking for.

given our forum's marvelous search function there is no way to find it.

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