Shepp30 

Hi Men

I have a nice 1979 UO9 that I am getting road-worthy for my son in law. Everything seems to be in order except the top rear derailer pulley has a missing tooth.

I don't know a whole lot about the old French stuff, however as near as I can tell, by looking at the 1979 catalog, the bike is all original and still has the Simplex rear derailer. Are the pullys attainable? Are they common?

Second part of the question; are the other parts attainable? Such as bottom bracket, cassette or freewheel etc. etc. I think it is definately a keeper and even if he gets a couple of years out of it, the price was right.

Thanks

Grand Bois

You can get pulleys for it, or you can replace it with something better. Those were $5 derailers. They were meant to be disposeable. I replace plastic Simplex derailers with later metal Simplex derailers because I like to keep my French bikes French. Suntours were popular replacements. I get most of my vintage parts from eBay.



My avatar is Lucien Juy, the man that invented them.

big chainring 

I thought that was Art Buchwald

Shepp30 

Thanks Grand Bois

I think I might just try the pulley to begin with; can you buy them new? Also if I start looking for a replacement derailer, is there anything new that will fit it or do I need to find vintage stuff?

Thanks Shepp

wrk101

New stuff will fit as long as it has a claw hanger, but it will look really odd. Vintage stuff is usually available for less money, and looks a lot better IMHO.

+1 Those plastic Simplex derailleurs are junkers. They tend to disintegrate. I would not put any money into one myself. I have replaced a couple with decent Suntour derailleurs (about $10 on ebay, if you are patient).

Grand Bois

This inexpensive Suntour would be a big improvement.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Shepp30 

Thanks Grand, now I know a "model" that will work. Just threw that one in my watch box.

Appreciate the help!

Shepp30

cycleheimer

If it is just the derailleur's "cog" wheel, you can replace it with anything that will fit...SunTour, Shimano, Simplex, etc. You can pick up an inexpensive derailleur (new or used), free off a junk "donor" bike even, and put the wheels from it onto the Simplex if there is any more life left in it. When it goes, put the wheels back on the other derailleur and install it. As far as Simplex derailleurs are concerned, if they work they work.

FYI:

https://garynuke.homestead.com/derailleur.html

Andrew F

That is, until they stop working! Arghhhh! My '78 UO9 "had" a steel hanger on the Simplex deraileur until it fatigued and failed. I replaced mine with a Suntour last week, it looks funny but it works.....I miss my Simplex, the Suntour looks like track shoes on an evening gown.