Universal hoods
 

VERY low budget, VERY rough draft.

I think they will be just fine for riding. ;)

Given the nature of these levers cracking and NOS hood prices, I'm good with a simple hack like this.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2c5cbeb3b9.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...578525fb72.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b880949eca.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c516cf381e.jpg

merziac

You made them yourself? Look very effective. Printed or homemade mold? I have a set Universal levers myself and can't recall if I have hoods.

1in. inside ID surgical tubing from efbay.

Its very tough to cut, used a gasket maker punch for the hole then trimmed the rest with CUTCO kitchen scissors, still pretty hard to cut and not going to look very good no matter what.

Maybe with some more practice.

Not going to obsess much until I figure out better scissors, for the time being I will wrap the tape over the base at the handle bar which I often do if the hoods are not hanging in there. ;)

That's a pretty good deal considering.

I have about $20 invested for at least 5 pair of my crappy pretend ones.

I didn't look that hard, not sure these levers will stay on board, never have liked them but thought I would go down the rabbit hole a bit for fun.

By the time you get some good pads and cables on them, new hoods and tweak the calipers without breaking them too you will have quite a bit invested for what are crude and crappy brakes IMO, iconic, correct or otherwise. :twitchy:

Great idea Van. I agree with you that you need to find a cleaner cutting method.
Another Universal option; forum member [MENTION=57649]iab[/MENTION] has made some very nice reproductions of the Vittoria hoods which I believe he sells for $25/pair plus shipping. They look quite handsome on Universal levers. Also matching Vittoria bar end plugs.
Perhaps he will be so kind as to post a photo.
Brent

Tx Brent, yes this stuff is tough, really tough, which is good.

Didn't have any new single edge razor blades on hand and they will require more skill as well.

Even the hole punch took some serious effort, 3rd bigger hammer finally got it through.

This was obviously a very quick and dirty hack, cheap as well which was the goal.

I may step up at some point but am good with these for now, need to get some riding on them to see if I want the levers to stay in play long term. ;)