Frowned upon by some, certainly. There's lots of conflicting attitudes about stuff like this.

As far as I'm concerned, it's your stuff, and you should do whatever you want with it.

Understandable. I was wondering if I may be overreacting. I can also just pass these on and be free of guilt if need be I suppose.

Just remember, that if you will remove the white paint, you might end up with no finish protecting the aluminum levers because most likely, there is no anodizingunder the paint. unless you have the lever re-anodized clear, they would surely dull up and possibly even develop bad corrosion if you ride in a lot of wet conditions.

Chombi

I have been using a pair of Dia Compe Campagnolo-style hoods for several years. They look real good and have held up very well. They were cheap, too. I wish I knew where I could find some more, but I don't know if they make them any more.

The Shimano levers of the early 90's (RX100, 105, Ultegra, DA, they all have the same shape), coupled with anatomic-style handlebars, are far and away the most comfortable combination I have used. For me, the long horizontal surface really makes a difference, and you can't get that on the old equipment. My old vintage stuff used to seem very comfortable, but it doesn't compare.

Interesting. The white is definitely paint since it looks sprayed on in the back. Do alu levers corrode naturally or only when wet?

Raw aluminum surfaces will naturally develop dulling and clouding just from the moisture and pollutants in the environment. That's why most people recommend that you do not remove protective finishes like paint and anodizing from aluminum by polishing. Once you polish out the clear or colored anodizing or paint, you will need to do "maintenance polishing of the aluminum part for for the life of it. Moisture will just accelerate the process of corrosion. you might even experience a condition where the often touched portion of the lever will stay fairly birght and clear from frictional wear from you hands, while the untouched portions of the lever will cloud up and possibly develop further corrosion.

Chombi

Good information. Maybe I'll just leave them as is. Well, I suppose the hunt for gum hooded levers must go on...

Most of the parts on my '70s French bikes were either never anodized or have had the anodizing removed. Occasional polishing is all that's required to prevent corrosion.

The only anodized original part I can think of on my '74 PX10LE is the stem. The Nitto that's on it now has been stripped and polished.

+1 on the white=cheap. I feel the same way. Paint be gone!

I have never liked white bicycle components... just fitted some NOS Dia Compe G500 brakes and old Dia Compe levers to my 1954 Raleigh Sports road conversion and could not be happier despite the fact they are 30 years newer than the bike.

My 1955 Raleigh will keep her vintage brakes and levers... they work rather well but do not have hoods on which to rest one's hands.

White components, white tape and white saddles always make me think of a '70s used car salesman with white shoes, white belt and a loud double knit sportcoat.

What's you point? What else would you suggest I do with this :



White saddle
White tape
White stem (that's what the factory had on it
White housings
White levers (mayne with red hoods...)

Just picked up a Dura Ace 7402 brake lever. The problem is that it's only the left hand one. Maybe I just don't have luck finding the perfect brakes.

Here's a photo of the Gran Compe. Hoods are the best I've felt but the white is...sickly: