degan

So, I stumbled upon a set of Dia-Compe 980 canti brakes at a co-op a few days ago. They are exactly the style that I am looking for, but to my dismay they require a very unique spring. I've looked online but have not been able to find any springs with that little arm that sticks out like I need. Are there any websites that you guys know of that has those little unique pieces or am I reduced to either getting a different set of brakes or searching the bottom of cantilever piles at bike co-ops forever?

Some pictures:


This picture is the best one I can find that shows what the spring looks like.

unworthy1

you may have to search...for as long as it takes. They are unique to that canti brake (and to some other similar DC canti brakes: 981 and 983, but even then I'm not positive if the dimensions are exactly the same and if they interchange).
I can look through my stash and see what I come up with...maybe some others here can do likewise.
if you are really determined: springs can be custom-wound by a shop with the tool and the right spring wire...it's not rocket science but I don't know anybody who does it these days.

ColonelJLloyd 

I have a set of 983s. They look like the same spring, but I'm not positive the holding pin is in the same position without having them in front of me.

degan

unworthy1, if you (or anyone else) had some you'd be willing to let go of I would be forever grateful. I really want these to work.

ColonelJLloyd, I didn't think to see if there were alternatives that are compatible. If you could check yours to see how similar they are I would much appreciate it.

Thanks dudes.

Grand Bois

I'm pretty sure that 983 springs will work.



Sorry, I don't have any to offer you.

unworthy1

I'll take a look thru all my canti brake parts...but don't hold your breath cause it will take a couple days. If memory serves (and it usually doesn't, for me) I should have a set of 983 and the 980 brakes, so I might even be able to compare the springs...we might learn something useful .

unworthy1

Spring update:
Got some good info for you, the springs on the 980 are the same as used on 982 and 983 models. Only difference I can see is that the plating on the 980 (and maybe the 983) was zinc or cadmium and wears off pretty quick, where the 982 (the class act of these DC cantis) has thick chrome plating.
The 981 is the same principal, but dimensions are very different: springs are longer and have a wider radius as they wrap around a fat guide, not the cast nubbin the other models use.
I have a complete set of the 980s but no spare springs (sorry) and I don't want to break the set. If you can't locate the springs alone, and you want to own more of these, PM me.
BTW, the 983s I have don't have the slick eccentric mounting that Dirt Drop's pic shows, but they sure have the number 983 stamped, that mount is what my 982s use...so there must be some variation within the 983 model.

kjaioqhbkqb

Here are the part numbers for the 980 springs. The brakes themselves are labeled 980 and 5583.

#980.5 for the right front / left rear. There are two in a bag.
#980.6 for the left front / right rear. There are two in a bag.

So you need one of each part number to make a pair (a left and right side) for the front or for the back.

stardognine

Hmm, none-a-youses pics show up now, except the last one, with the springs alone. I have the 986 cantis, and the springs are way different.