Slippery friction shifters
10-22-23, 09:35 AM
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10-22-23, 12:19 PM
#27
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I'm amazed it's still being produced.
10-22-23, 03:32 PM
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Timely thread. This morning I rebuilt my 6 speed Superbe Pro shifters that were giving me trouble: Front and rear required a great deal of finger strength to shift up and then still slipped down. Cleaned with WD-40 and also found the friction washer missing on the front shifter. Much better today for 25mi and 2300ft.
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10-23-23, 09:11 AM
#30
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Yes. We need clarification on the Wonder Bread thing. Modern "factory" bread uses clips (fully automated, hence size/shape) as shown above are too small to yield sufficient plastic for a washer. I checked. Old style bread clips were sometimes elongated (installed by hand at factory) and had sufficient plastic. True hack of yesteryear, or old wives tale?
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10-23-23, 09:16 AM
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Sometimes, mixing components doesn't help the feeble friction shifter. This bike was a ghost shifting nightmare. I had a modern Campagnolo rear derailleur that was designed for a solidly indexed system. The return spring is very robust, so it overpowered the friction levers with ease.
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10-23-23, 12:56 PM
#32
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I ran across this website about ye 'ol vintage Campy friction shifter and ran across this website, which among other thing addresses slipping shifters. He used some rosin, the sticky/tacky stuff baseball pitchers use for grip. I've not tried as I'm currently not using mine, but will be soon. While I'm familiar with the name, I never thought about where it comes from, which is pine/conifer trees. Doh ! I should have known this as I'm all too familiar with the sticky resin on pine cones. Take that resin, heat it up, the liquid evaporates and you're left with block of pure rosin. I should try this myself actually. Otherwise you can buy it in blocks, and it's typically sold as "rosin for violinists". Any competent search will yield many results.
I've always found that slipping friction shifters only need to be tightened so much, as in as little as possible to maintain the gear. When they slip, particularly Campy, I never found tightening them more wasn't very effective. More friction to the inside sounds better.
https://cycling-obsession.com/vintag...levers-review/
[QUOTE[h3]Add Extra Friction to your LeversIf you find there is not enough friction in your levers, it is very easy to add more friction to the system. Buy some rosin, which is applied to the bow of string instruments like violin, cello etc. It is easy to find online or at a specialist musical instrument store.
You only need a tiny amount of rosin to lightly dust a few parts. I used a fine grit sandpaper (or similar file) to extract a fine powdery dust from the rosin block.
Apply this dust to the conical side of the nylon ‘Friction’ washer ‘0190/06’ and the mating surface of the shift lever that contacts the washer. This should be enough to add the required friction. If you need more friction, you can also add rosin to both sides of washer ‘190/04’. Adding friction should mean the fixing bolt wont need to be as tight.
][/QUOTE]
I've always found that slipping friction shifters only need to be tightened so much, as in as little as possible to maintain the gear. When they slip, particularly Campy, I never found tightening them more wasn't very effective. More friction to the inside sounds better.
https://cycling-obsession.com/vintag...levers-review/
[QUOTE[h3]Add Extra Friction to your LeversIf you find there is not enough friction in your levers, it is very easy to add more friction to the system. Buy some rosin, which is applied to the bow of string instruments like violin, cello etc. It is easy to find online or at a specialist musical instrument store.
You only need a tiny amount of rosin to lightly dust a few parts. I used a fine grit sandpaper (or similar file) to extract a fine powdery dust from the rosin block.
Apply this dust to the conical side of the nylon ‘Friction’ washer ‘0190/06’ and the mating surface of the shift lever that contacts the washer. This should be enough to add the required friction. If you need more friction, you can also add rosin to both sides of washer ‘190/04’. Adding friction should mean the fixing bolt wont need to be as tight.
][/QUOTE]
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10-30-23, 07:15 AM
#33
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I'm having problems with (not Super) Record shifters that I removed from a band and mounted on brazed bosses (below pics grabbed from web). The left tightens and the right loosens, especially when the frame is flexing when I'm climbing out of the saddle. I have to adjust both D-screws multiple times a ride. I tried using Tacx assembly compound which seems to help some on the right shifter but expect it to wear out quickly. (1) I'm wondering if the aforesaid milk jug washers on the boss side of the levers could help, (2) how to apply the Loctite so the it dries with the right compression.
10-30-23, 01:36 PM
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I see a jumble of parts trying to do the job.
focus on the washers that go on before the levers- those don’t match.
I bet the one with the smaller bore is thinner too.
these washers were quite thick, 2.5mm?
maybe more.
I do not have any loose.
Also, test install the d ring screws without any hardware and make sure they will thread in smoothly and nearly completely
focus on the washers that go on before the levers- those don’t match.
I bet the one with the smaller bore is thinner too.
these washers were quite thick, 2.5mm?
maybe more.
I do not have any loose.
Also, test install the d ring screws without any hardware and make sure they will thread in smoothly and nearly completely
10-30-23, 02:25 PM
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Sorry I was not clear, the photos are just ones I found on the web to show how different my Record shifters are from the Super Record described above.. Mine are all from the same clamp-on set I bought new in 1977. It was hardly used until the last few years.. Thanks.
Last edited by sced; 10-30-23 at 02:34 PM.
10-31-23, 09:02 PM
#36
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BITD I’m pretty sure that the common shifter issue solution was a pair of Simplex retrofriction levers, sans Wonderbread.
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11-01-23, 05:56 AM
#37
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I think I would cheat and maybe punch 2 little dimples in the #174 washer to set up some interference.
Of course make sure the thumbscrew is not bottoming out.or the threads in the boss are not full of dirt or paint.
Grease everything with the lube of your choice.
Or you could just chuck the whole mess in the junk box and get a set of Doppler shifters. They are the Shiz-Nit
/markp
Of course make sure the thumbscrew is not bottoming out.or the threads in the boss are not full of dirt or paint.
Grease everything with the lube of your choice.
Or you could just chuck the whole mess in the junk box and get a set of Doppler shifters. They are the Shiz-Nit
/markp
11-07-23, 03:54 PM
#38
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"Or you could just chuck the whole mess in the junk box and get a set of Doppler shifters. They are the Shiz-Nit"
Instead, I found some thin copper washers in the "miscellaneous parts hotel" on my workbench that are doing a pretty good job maintaining shifter position. Thanks all for the insights and suggestions.
Instead, I found some thin copper washers in the "miscellaneous parts hotel" on my workbench that are doing a pretty good job maintaining shifter position. Thanks all for the insights and suggestions.
