Unknown part on an old Raleigh
 

Howdy. I have an older Raleigh Supercourse. I have no Idea of the year. What I can tell you is it's a 10 speed, friction shift, with the shfters on the downtube. My question involves the front brake. While adjusting the pads the other day I noticed a short ( ~ 2 in) metal piece sticking out from the left front brakepad. Can someone tell me what it is/what it's for? I meant to take a pic, and if it would help I can add one later.

Thanks

If the metal sticks down and away from the pad, and away from the wheel, and kind of has a curve in it and ends in somewhat of a point, it is a mis-matched pad from a higher quality brake-set, used as a point to hold the brakes together (preferably by a tool made for such) while adjustments are being made.

If its coming from the pad it sounds like a "guide" to get the wheel in there quicker when you're putting a wheel on the bike. If you just have one sounds like its a replacement pad, there should be one on each pad both front and back.

Was it "L" shaped?

Well, all good ideas, but none sound right. It's perpendicular to the wheel. If I have a connection when I get home I'll post a pic since I think that will be the easiest way to ID. It's not really any big deal, just trying to figure it out.

OK, here's a few pics of the 'thing'.

j

ed: first shot is from the front, second is side/rear

Reflector mount with the reflector broken off?

It is a reflector mount. I just took one off the other day.

It's a knee gouger. Use with care.

It's a nose picker. Use with extreme care.

Neal

It's a snow plow bracket. Use with extreme care.

It's part of the mounting system for the rare side by side tandem kit that uses a pair (or more) matched bicycles. It was pioneered in the midwest by John Deere using hardware from their 102a cultivator. I've seen as many as 13 bicycles attached side by side. They were very common during planting season out here when combined with the rear rack mounted hydro-seeding attachments.



Sheldon

SUV feeler.