When I was in high school, "dropout spacer" meant something completely different.

And an '84 LeTour sounds like something to drink, not something to ride.

Anyway, here goes:

My '84 LeTour has this spacer in one dropout:



Questions:

1) is there supposed to be a matching spacer in the other dropout?

2) if no, does the spacer belong on the non-drive side?

3) if yes, I am ISO/WTB ... does anyone have one to spare?

4) then again, should I just remove it?

Those are sometimes seen with dropouts lacking adjuster bolts. They keep the wheel centered in the dropouts. Yes, there should be another one for the other side. You don't strictly need them at all, they're just a convenience for when you install the wheel.

If it says "Campagnolo" on it anywhere, you could sell it on eBay.

I might have a spare one of those dropout spacers rummaging around in the parts drawer. PM me if you want it and to remind me to look for it.

Neal

I had one of those on a fuji. When I took it off the wheel pulled back further and the derailer cage had a longer pull to get the big chain ring. It skiped a little with the cage being pulled to the limit. Put the spacer back on and the problem stoped.

If you have an integral derailleur hanger, you need a matched pair of dropout stops.

If you use a bolt-on derailleur hanging "claw," it serves as the drive side stop.

An '84 Schwinn le tour has an integral derailleur hanger, so it's nice to have two of those stops. However, my '84 le tour was in amazingly original conditon when I got it, and it only had one stop, on the non-drive side. My guess is that they only put them on one side at the factory.

Mine too - maybe you're right. Thanks for the replies, PM sent.

My thanks to Neal for a matching spacer, which arrived yesterday.



It may take 2-3 weeks, but I will post the bike as a before & after with the spacer added.

This is the same bike in the "Suntour Symmetric reassembly challenge" thread. As you can see, I have other issues to solve ... but the BF C&V community is coming to the rescue as usual.

Just found this thread via Google; same deal with my recently acquired '85 Super Le Tour. Came with spacer on non-drive side only. Wondering/hoping adding one on drive side will help with an occasional chain skip issue (yes, I checked the chain).

Might there be another one out there someone could spare? BTW, I also found a part by Surly called "Monkey Nuts 2.0" that look very similar - $25/pr.



Or these "Karate Monkey" spacers (also Surly) $8/pr:

Some bikes came with only one. You pull the wheel back until the axle hits the stop and then center the tire between the chainstays.

Can you take a pic of the one you have? I have at least two different kind of spacers in the spare-parts bin.

Neal

Yes, I'll do that tomorrow (Monday).

I have been doing as Dirtdrop says, but I wondered if centering by eye was good enough.