Is there a trick to getting these brake pads into the holders? It was a bit of effort to get the old ones out....the pads are NOS weinmann.

I don't know for sure but these pads look too dry and hard to be serviceable. I say this because I have had this problem before and after many trails and tribulations had to go to a comparable knock off for adequate stopping power.

I applaud your efforts in keeping the pad original or at least period correct. New brake pads will be so much better. Most of the replies will probably be to get Kool Stop Continental pads since they were availabel in the '80's. I have them and they are good. I also have a set of Jagwire pads that are also surprisingly good. Less accolades about these pads, however, since they are not 40 year old rubber, they work well.

I don’t recall Weinmann and Universal having the same engagement form factor
the set shown for me needs one end cut out- if you try to bend it - it will break... writing that, look at the brake arm pivot frame... don’t like the porosity of that casting...

I second kool stop continentals. The whole shoe assembly costs $10 per pair and they work great. I just put some on an old steel-rimmed Raleigh a friend of mine picked up, night and day difference between the cheap pads it had on.

I personally really like the Jagwire X-Caliper pads. They tend to run less expensive than Kool Stop's options but perform just as well.

This is a bit confusing. Are you trying to force Weinmann pads into Universal holders, or are those Weinmann holders that you've put on to Universal brakes? If the former, it is not clear that they will fit at all because the pads are different sizes. If the latter, then you can generally press in the pads using a vice or woodworking clamps, sometimes helped a little by smearing some dishwashing soap on the pads.

That said, if you are actually going to ride this bike I would highly recommend that you NOT use NOS pads. Brake pads degrade as time goes on simply from exposure to the atmosphere and sunlight. Instead, go to the Kool Stop International - High Performance Bicycle Brake Pads Since 1977 site and order some fresh pads. They have both Weinmann and Universal reproduction pads.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll look into the Kool-Stop pads...shame that these vintage pads are not going to be useful, as I inherited two complete sets with the bike.

Like others have said, buy new pads.

If you really wanted to use them, you could probably bend or grind the back out, and slide them in from the end.