Huret shifter maintenance
 

Hi all. Recently picked up a pair of Huret "Ratchet" shifters (that's what they're called here, maybe 2/3rds down the page), the kind with a two-way clutch and, oddly, no ratchet. No clue how a "two-way clutch" works. Anyway, tension is preset, and the unit comes as a piece -- you don't screw the shifters onto the bosses. It looks like this:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...678544128a.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...14828147ae.jpg

You can see the loop at the end of the spring where the shifter cable goes through. Apparently this is important to the design.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...416f343c6c.jpg

They come with a cap preventing access to the screw. There is no tension adjustment available (or required, apparently)

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...be7a326019.jpg

Cap on rear shifter has fallen off.

With all that, one of the shifters has more resistance than the other (it's nonuniform, too). Not too bad, so I could live with it, but maybe a good cleaning would improve matters. Can I just soak the whole thing in degreaser? Any particular things to watch for when taking it apart (it seems to be designed to discourage taking it apart.) Are there known issues with these and known fixes/preventative measures? Thanks in advance for any information!

sincos

"Any particular things to watch for when taking it apart (it seems to be designed to discourage taking it apart.)"

DON'T

Ne touche pas!!!

Si ce n'est pas cassé - ne le répare pas!!! (If it aint broke, don't fix it!)

Not everything on a bike is made to be user serviced!

I would remove any dirt or grit from the outside first. An old tooth brush works good for this. If there's some old hard grease in the levers then flush it out with some kind of solvent. NOT GASOLINE (PETROL)!

91% alcohol works good for this and is safe.

Next, work some thin oil or lubricant into the moving parts. voilà

I've never seen those levers before but someone mentioned Huret Retrofriction levers as being better that Simplex Retrofriction levers. That's what you may have.

Here's how a spring clutch works... Google for more info...

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c6a088a7d8.jpg

verktyg :50:

All you want to know is here:

https://kuromori.home.blog/clutched-one-way-shifters/

Ratchet & Retrofriction Shift Levers
 

Really great link, thanks for posting it.

My suggestion to the OP sincos was to clean and lube the levers before attempting to take them apart.

1st year medical school meme: When you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras... In other words look for the simplest, most obvious solution first (before performing brain surgery). :innocent:

I've been messing with derailleur bikes since 1964 and I wouldn't have a problem tearing into something like those Huret levers... But frequently more wear and tear happens to bicycle components from disassembly and reassembly than from actual usage, especially with someone inexperienced with working on these things.

Huret stuff has always been over complicated. The Huret levers have 2 small parts one both sides: 1441 & 1442 which are the ratchet pawls and pawl springs. See parts breakdown in the link. They look like they could be a PIA when reassembling.

BTW, I have a number of versions of Simplex Retrofriction levers plus Campy Dopplers, Suntour Ratchets, the new Dia-Compe Silver levers and the Gipiemme GPM Chronosprint 870 BC levers.

For me, the Gipiemme work the best among classic levers when used with classic rear derailleurs up to 7 speeds, but like most of the other levers listed in the link, they're limited in the amount of cable wrap they have by the "spool diameter. Most are around 16mm.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3c23acfda3.jpg

The Dia-Compe W levers have a spool diameter of ~22mm and can easily handle 10 speed cassettes. They work smoothly but aren't anywhere as robust at the old Suntour Ratchet levers.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bd63a73934.jpg
One other set of levers, microSHIFT are both index and ratchet. They have a nice feel and can handle up to 10 speeds but the levers and not very long and more suited for bar ends than down tubes. Also the construction is not very robust...

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eda4f1e7ae.jpg

verktyg :50:

Thanks, I figured if anyone knew you would! In my younger days I would have pressed on regardless; now being older and marginally less stupid I ask first.

Makes sense, thanks! This and the Jubilee are very much atypical for Huret. They're not ingeniously stamped steel, they're actually both nicely machined and finished. Mostly anyway -- the seam in the castings on the levers could be polished better, it's as if Huret couldn't resist a touch of uglification just to stay in character..

Yes, thanks, that's the page linked to up top, and very informative it is. That's the only reason I know this thing has a two-way clutch.