auchencrow

I have been meaning to clean up this old 70’s Peugeot PX10, but I had some questions before I start, that perhaps a few of you might be able answer. . . .

1) It has Mafac brake levers with unusual rubber half-hoods, that I would expect would be prohibitively expensive to replace with some NOS items: So -
- what do you think would be a credible, readily available substitute lever?

2) The Mafac Racer calipers will clean up OK, but the shoes are of course shot: The only straight post brake shoes I found are these (pictured below) - but they lack the metal housings.
-Do you know of a more authentic looking (non-MTB) straight post brake shoe?



3) The handlebar tape is thick black vinyl, with large black expanding-type bar end caps.
I was thinking about replacing it with my favorite white bar tape, or even white Tressostar cloth tape.
- but do you suppose the black vinyl bar tape is ORIGINAL? (If so, I may opt for black instead, as a nod to the original color scheme).

auchencrow

Oh - I forgot to ask - Do they still make a frame pump that mounts on the old top-tube mounted hooks shown above?

brianinc-ville

I've got similar Mafac brakes on an Atala and was wondering the same thing about the pads. I was thinking of buying the KoolStop Thinline Smooth Stud pads; does anyone know whether they will work with those Mafacs?

As for the levers: do you have a real reason to switch? Those hoods look fine to me.

I don't know about whether the French pump bosses were the same as the English ones, but here's a possibility for a frame pump.

cman

Scroll down on brianinc link to Sheldon Brown on Koolstops. Looks like they might make a replacement pad that fits in your Mafacs.

auchencrow

Hi Braininc-ville !

The Kool Stop Cross Pads w/smooth stud holders look like they may be a decent replacement (albeit not exact replacement) for the old Mafac shoes. I know that functionally they'd be excellent if they'll fit. Thanks.

- The brake hoods really should be replaced : they are cracked here and there and curled away from the levers. Unfortunately, I have to decide between leaving it as-is, or substituting a non-original lever.

The pump you suggested is a possibility and reasonably priced (so indeed I may give it a shot if I don't come up with a chromed version that will fit).

And thanks for the tips.
- A

Grand Bois

Kool Stop cantilever shoes work great, but they don't look authentic.



The replacement pads that Harris sells are too short for the holders, but they also work great.



The Zefal Lapize pump is current production, but looks authentic and is available in various lengths. I got mine from xxcycle.com for $3.15.



Mafac half hoods show up on eBay all the time. You can get them in colors, but I prefer black because dirt doesn't show. There are are also full Mafac hoods.

auchencrow

Hi Dirtdrop !
Wow - I think you hit it right on the nose, with the Harris brake shoes, Zefal Lapize pump and eBay Mafac hoods.
Although there are no brake hoods on eBay at the moment, and it seems xxCycle is no longer carrying the Lapize, I now know just what I am looking for, and I will find it.
Thanks for the help.

(My only remaining question is the original color for the bar tape, but I have a little time to research that.)
- A

Grand Bois

You're right, no more Zefal Lapize at xxcycle. I'm glad I bought a spare. They dent very easily.

https://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=010004

I think that your PX came with white plastic bar wrap. That's what my '74 had. I couldn't replace it fast enough.

20grit

what psi will that zefal take a tire to?

miamijim

As far as OEM goes...

Bar tape: The black vinyl/plastic is original
Brake pads: I'd imagine NOS Mafacs occasionaly show up on Ebay but they're 35 years old. Follow Dirtdrops advice. He knows his stuff.
Brake hoods: NOS or good condition Mafacs get top dollar on Ebay.
Pump: OEM would be an Ad Hoc, they're very expensive ($150-ish). Follow Dirtdrops advice.

rat fink

Not to speak heresy here, but I recommend the Dura Ace BL-7400 brake levers as a replacement. They are functionally, my favorite classic brake lever.

dbakl

1) The Mafac 1/2 hoods turn up on ebay... yeah, they're expensive. Don't change the levers.

2) Modern shoes are available as noted.

3) Bar tape looks original. Cloth would be fine.

4) You can find the older French aluminum pumps on ebay quite often.

auchencrow

Hi again Dirtdrop-
I found another Zefal model but it is anodized alum, not Chrome. That's an option for me I suppose, if I don't find a Lapize at a reasonable price.

Ditto that for white tape: New white wrap is my preference too - It just seems more "right" to me, even if perchance the odd blue-painted PX10's came with black.

Regards,
-A

auchencrow

Thanks Miamijim.
I'm going to have to think about my white color preference, given that black IS the proper OEM color - at least if I find the right OEM hoods (at a reasonable cost) to keep it all pure

PS -and I like Dirtdrops advice for sure.

Grand Bois

The Lapize is bare aluminum, not chrome. I polished mine on a cotton wheel with tripoli compound.

I have no idea. Mine's just for looks.

dbakl

They should be able to get you to 90-100; maybe more if you find one of the steel Campagnolo heads designed for those pumps (presta).

Remember, a frame pump is really just for a tire change while out riding, not for everyday use. Though we used the Silcas that way years ago, its all we had!

auchencrow

Hi Rat fink!
If I can find the hoods at reasonable cost, I'll stay with the original levers. I see on eBay that price can vary.
I'll try to snipe a pair and see if I get lucky.
Thanks
-A

intron

Hey people been out a while. But i recently scored a pug. Anyway wanted to identify if it is a higher model. Its not with me but it is reynolds 531 triangle and fork, not sure about the stays.

has the same half hood as posted earlier on the levers , mafac centerpulls, tubulars.

and it seemed that the frame had little to no braze ons



i know... pics !! the bikes not with me i will get pics ASAP

Grand Bois

If it's a 70's bike, a 531 sticker on the fork means that it's almost certainly a PX. Only the PX had a 531 fork. A PX is all 531, including the stays. The next model down, the PR, had 531 main tubes and hi-ten fork and stays. The 531 on the PR frame sticker was horizontal, rather than diagonal as on the PX sticker

The stickers are available on eBay, so you need to look for other evidence, like half chrome stays.

Not all PX10s had fancy Nervex lugs. Mine doesn't.

I'm looking for a pair of pump clips like the ones on the blue bike, only without the rust. Anybody got some?