Unobtainium-White Shimano 105 SLR Brake Hoods-for Ironman?
12-14-18, 07:49 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
Unobtainium-White Shimano 105 SLR Brake Hoods-for Ironman?
I have a 1987 Centurion Dave Scott Expert Ironman in the Red/White paint pattern for that year. It came with white Shimano 105 areo SLR brake hoods similar to those above, but much cleaner. In looking for replacements for that someday in the future I find there are black hoods available, but unless you buy a set of used levers/brake hoods there does not appear to be any brake hoods in white available. Does anyone know of a source for replacement white hoods? My hope is that given there use in the Ironman series of bikes maybe someone knows a source? Thanks
P.S. Is there is a white areo brake hood work around (non-Shimano SLR) that fits please let me know about it too, again thanks.
Last edited by since6; 12-14-18 at 08:58 AM.
12-14-18, 08:21 AM
#2
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
My new one has white hoods and I have no use for anything white, especially on a bike. I'm sure they are available, levers and all.
12-14-18, 09:01 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
One work around could be Shimano 600 hoods, anyone know if they are compatible with a Shimano 105 SLR brake lever assembly? I seem to recall that this was the difference between the Master (Shimano 600 gruppo) and Expert (Shimano 105 gruppo) Centurion Ironman models, but I do see the 105 SLR has that black ring around the lever opening whereas the 600 is without the black ring. Thanks again.
12-14-18, 09:07 AM
#4
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
I don't know, but if you want a set of the 600 levers, with white hoods, send me your mailing address. Magic Eraser (or the generic equivalent) work well with warm water (not hot) and mild soap. Avoid harsh soaps. Lemon (only) Pledge works well on white wrap, foams up and wipes off pretty well, not sure about hoods.
One work around could be Shimano 600 hoods, anyone know if they are compatible with a Shimano 105 SLR brake lever assembly? I seem to recall that this was the difference between the Master (Shimano 600 gruppo) and Expert (Shimano 105 gruppo) Centurion Ironman models, but I do see the 105 SLR has that black ring around the lever opening whereas the 600 is without the black ring. Thanks again.
12-15-18, 06:46 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Evanston, IL
Posts: 5,093
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1444 Post(s)
Liked 1,392 Times
in
760 Posts
Those will clean up nicer than you might think with a little Bon Ami and an old toothbrush. Might at least delay the inevitable purchase. 
As for non-Shimano SLR aero workaround, you could find a set of Campy Athena/Chorus/whatever from the late 80s/early 90s. They worked both ways, using a little plug to seal the exposed hole when cables were routed aero-style. I'm not sure what your unobtainium threshold is, but they turn up on eBay all the time for $50 to $100.
Another option... I grabbed some Shimano Exage levers from the Box O' Crap not long ago. The price was certainly right. They will to mate up with a pair of Campy Monoplaner calipers (so I needed something with quick release built into the lever). By the time these were produced, Shimano higher level groups were fully brifterized.
As for non-Shimano SLR aero workaround, you could find a set of Campy Athena/Chorus/whatever from the late 80s/early 90s. They worked both ways, using a little plug to seal the exposed hole when cables were routed aero-style. I'm not sure what your unobtainium threshold is, but they turn up on eBay all the time for $50 to $100.
Another option... I grabbed some Shimano Exage levers from the Box O' Crap not long ago. The price was certainly right.
They will to mate up with a pair of Campy Monoplaner calipers (so I needed something with quick release built into the lever). By the time these were produced, Shimano higher level groups were fully brifterized.
12-15-18, 08:30 AM
#6
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,440
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1167 Post(s)
Liked 992 Times
in
491 Posts
Another trick I learned from someone around here is to use baby powder on them once cleaned to keep them from getting tacky - something rubber that age tends to do. I myself have a soft spot in my heart for white hoods from the 80’s. Very sexy.
12-15-18, 08:31 AM
#7
tantum vehi
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,440
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1167 Post(s)
Liked 992 Times
in
491 Posts
And often it’s cheaper to buy a whole set of brake levers with white hoods than just the hoods. Strange but true.
12-15-18, 09:45 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pico Rivera, CA
Posts: 4,184
Bikes: 1983 Basso Gap...2013 Colnago CX-1...2015 Bianchi Intenso
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1199 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times
in
716 Posts
Get some Monkey Wipes and scrub the beejezus out of them.
Helped keep my white SR hoods clean
Helped keep my white SR hoods clean
12-15-18, 10:12 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
Progress Report:
Thanks all for your advice. I'm looking just for the hoods as that's what will wear in time (provided I don't let the bike fall and damage the levers
). The picture that started the post aren't my set of levers/hoods, but were an example from eBay that no one sells these except as paired and usually the hoods look as posted.
Your work around suggestions have led me to some 600 and Exage hoods that are NOS.
The cleaning suggestions are great and will put them in my Service/Cleaning file.Two big surprises was how well these original hoods cleaned up, here before cleaning:
Here after cleaning:
And then when the handlebar tape was replaced the hoods were still pliable and did not tear or crack, WOW 1987 must have been a good year for brake hoods LOL.
Thanks all for your advice. I'm looking just for the hoods as that's what will wear in time (provided I don't let the bike fall and damage the levers
). The picture that started the post aren't my set of levers/hoods, but were an example from eBay that no one sells these except as paired and usually the hoods look as posted.Your work around suggestions have led me to some 600 and Exage hoods that are NOS.
The cleaning suggestions are great and will put them in my Service/Cleaning file.Two big surprises was how well these original hoods cleaned up, here before cleaning:
Here after cleaning:
And then when the handlebar tape was replaced the hoods were still pliable and did not tear or crack, WOW 1987 must have been a good year for brake hoods LOL.
12-15-18, 10:34 AM
#11
Senior Member
I've been wondering what these white Shimano hoods I have are for. So they did 105, 600 and exage in white at some point? I'll have to get a better picture, maybe with that part number more visible.
12-15-18, 11:12 AM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
I'm beginning to think that other than the added black style ring at the brake lever opening these early Shimano 105 SLK brake hoods are the same as the Shimano 600 brake hoods. They look to be a very close match.
12-15-18, 02:19 PM
#13
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,732
Mentioned: 234 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2155 Post(s)
Liked 3,403 Times
in
1,204 Posts
Close, but not the same. Sadly.
All of the Shimano hoods of that period were different, with the exception of 6403/R600 and 1055/RX100. Even 6401 and 6403 hoods are different! (6400 hoods are for the euro-only non-aero tri-color levers).
Not only are all of them slightly different in exterior dimensions, but also with regard to interior lugging and protrusions intended to keep the hood from sliding around when warm.
One of the least attractive Shimano design decisions of the late 80's, in my opinion.
All of the Shimano hoods of that period were different, with the exception of 6403/R600 and 1055/RX100. Even 6401 and 6403 hoods are different! (6400 hoods are for the euro-only non-aero tri-color levers).
Not only are all of them slightly different in exterior dimensions, but also with regard to interior lugging and protrusions intended to keep the hood from sliding around when warm.
One of the least attractive Shimano design decisions of the late 80's, in my opinion.
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
12-15-18, 03:17 PM
#14
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
The Doc is right, but some can be adapted by shaving off the inner protrusions. They might slide around a bit on a 90-degree day 40mph descent in a corner, but what's life without a bit of danger?
