Pletscher Front Rack Md. VM: Missing Wedge Needed!
 

I'm in the process of collecting bits and pieces for my next customized Schwinn, :rolleyes: an extreme makeover on my '79 Twinn Sport. :innocent:

I picked up this cute little Pletscher front rack, model VM, dated Feb '79, from a French ebayer.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...tRackModVM.jpg

It is mounted by fitting the "caps" over the fork crown, and then a wedge is tightened to secure the rack.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...herMounts2.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ChromeFork.jpg

As you can see I am missing a wedge and a screw for the right side. :( I'm hoping a fellow C&Ver might have a spare, or the same old rack in their scrap pile and help me out. :) Or point me in the direction as to where I might find a replacement. If needed, I believe I can make a wedge out of a piece of oak or other hard wood, but I'm hopeful to find an OME replacement.

Here are some closeups of the wedge in action.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...cherWedge1.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...cherWedge2.jpg

Thanks for your help!

Pastor Bob,

I noticed Cafe de Velo sells that same rack - maybe he has a spare wedge.

Or also try on eBay, look for the seller's shop called "Vintage-Bike."

Ken,

Thanks for the tips. I'll check them out.

PB:

I bought a new one of those front racks a few months ago from yellowjersey. He may have some extra wedges as well. http://www.yellowjersey.org/plet.html

mparker,

Thanks! I emailed YJ and sent a picture of the rack. I'm waiting to hear from them.

How did your rack work out? I like it in that it will compliment the rear rack I have for this build, plus it should help support the front bag I plan.

I've never seen one of those racks before. It seems that if you fail to find a wedge that a chunk of aluminum and a couple of files would produce the wedge eventually.

I like it primarily for the looks & easy installation. It holds a light bag fine.

Pic request! I'd love to see what one looks like installed. :)

Here you go. Quick pic from the basement:
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...6/IMG_1727.jpg

Thanks! Looks neat. I might make use of something like that for a pair of bikes I'm building for my parents.

Someone on eBay has been selling those Pletscher front racks... for startlingly little money... circa $12.

They're not on eBay at the moment, but I'd keep my eye out.

Thanks for posting this. Your rack is slightly different. Notice how yours bridges up and over (vertical) the front brake caliper. Mine just goes out and back in (horizontal). :rolleyes:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...tRackModVM.jpg

I seem to remember yj having 2, one that fits with cantilevers & one for sidepulls. I got the one for sidepulls, maybe yours is for cantis or is just an older model.

Not to thread-jack, but I have a quick question. I just popped on over to Cafe de Velo to buy one of the Pletscher front rack to match one I just picked up for the rear of my bike. I went to checkout and chose the paypal option. It processed through paypal, but when it diverted back to the CdV website, it said the checkout failed. I logged back into my paypal and it showed a draft of my account "unclaimed". I also got a reciept from paypal for the transaction. I called Cafe de Velo, but no one answered, has anyone else had any problems with this place? Thanks in advance, and again, sorry to thread-jack.

Parker

Anyone? I'm getting worried here.

PB: Do you have any friends that are machinists? It looks really easy to make.

I recently dealt with them and it can be a slow frustrating wait: they are a Mom & Pop operation and frequently one or both is out of town (or country) buying up those European bargains that they sell (at a profit, of course ;)). So, it may seem like you're staring into a black hole, but from my experience they *eventually* come thru, and sometimes they throw in something *extra* to assuage the stress and delay. BTW, my last transaction was actually fairly quick, after a couple fits and starts.

Thanks for the info, I will just keep holding out I guess. Ok, done threadjacking. Thanks.

That rack looks awesome PB, that would be a great lower cost alternative to a Nitto front rack I was considering for a Mixte I'm building up for my wife.. off to EBAY