Do vintage bikes need different cables?
 

Specifically, brake cables. I was trying to help my friend restore his 1980's Peugot and we couldn't get the brake cables to correctly mount in the brake levers. The ball end of the cable was either too big to fit in the lever boss, so it would become dislodged, or it was too small, so that it just ran right through and lost all tension. Any suggestions?

Some Peugeot's do take different brake cables. I take the larger sized barrel ends, and file them down and pinch them into shape with a stout pair of needlenose pliers.

Ah, that's reaffirming. The brake cable constantly coming loose was really becoming annoying (and didn't make me look too good as they guy who was supposed to be fixing things up!)

Let me know if anyone has a cable they recommend that may fit better. I had just bought the cheapest set at the bike shop.

I just got some older Bianchi brake-cables with Celeste-colored housing to turn my vintage machine into a scary eyesore with. LOL. And I noticed these items were thicker than what I'd used before. It was a test of wills to get ferrules on the housing and the ends into the hoods of the brake-levers.

sounds like a ferrel issue.....

If not now, it Will be. :p