The clamp on the front derailleur cracked today while riding. It was a Campy NR from early 80s. I didn't feel anything when I was pedaling, but it must have caught on the chain. I was standing going up a hill in a high gear, big ring in front.

Anyway, what would work to replace it? Of course another vintage Campy would be nice, and I checked on eBay and they don't cost all that much. What size clamp does it need? This was standard Columbus SL tubing. 28.6? But if I can't find that, is there any reason I can't use a more modern front, such as a Chorus or Record 10sp? I run a 10sp rear cassette and chain, I have a Campy Chorus 10sp crankset that I'm going to put on. Should I just go modern? It would be with downtube shifters as I haven't upgraded that and don't want to. Friction works just fine with 10speed.

Ochsner, until recently, only sold to store-front shops all things Campagnolo. Now they sell to the public. Best stock. With luck they have it. Talk to them if not:

https://www.ochsnerusa-store.com/index.php

you can also try airbomb, although I think that this may be too old.

28.6, and I've seen 'em pretty cheap. I don't really think that Nuovo Record was an option - just record and nuovo grand sport. The holes in the cage are the mark of the waddydooda one, and the little bent-up nose is the mark of the post '78. You can, of course, disassemble any record or nuovo grand sport derailleur and use your parts. Pretty much all completely interchangeable.

You could also run just about any type of other road front derailleur that you'd like. Especially with friction, the differences are for arguing about after about five beers.

After searching around on eBay I figured that I can go with a 10sp Chorus or even Record for not all that much money. The biggest issue is the clamp size, most are 32 or 35 now. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, this isn't my main ride. I'm all for mixing and matching too, after all this bike has an old NR rear der and a 10sp Shimano chain and cassette and friction shifting.

Of all the parts on the bike, the front was probably the most problematic. It was very stiff to shift. It probably wasn't anything that a good lube and maybe new cable wouldn't have fixed, but I never bothered.

And it would only take about 2 beers for me.

Which part cracked? The main piece or the hinged band? I replaced my band with a Shimano Sante. Pics later, I am running late for work.,,,,,BD

This is on ebay, buy-it-now option for 14.00. Maybe this would work for you?

Not long ago I was in need of a clamp-on FD in 28.6. I mistakenly bought a modern Campy Centaur in 32mm, and when I dropped by my LBS in distress, they gave me a couple of shims to tuck under the clamp. Worked like a charm! The shims were intended for Shimano FD clamps, and are like sections of band. When you crank down the FD clamp, it's all quite secure.

I saw that on ebay but didn't go for it. I'm still considering my options, either modern or a replacement. No hurry, I have 2 other bikes.

An update on this for anybody that cares.

I bought another Campy on eBay thinking it was the same era, but it appears to be a bit newer, with an allen bolt on the clamp. It also had a solid chain cage, rather than the 3 holes that mine has. It still appears to be the same geometry and mechanism though and I could switch the cage if I desire. I'm not sure it will matter to me. It cost 14.95 + 5.00 shipping. I haven't installed it yet, I was thinking I would put on my Chorus 10sp 53/39 crank/BB, but as I'm writing this I realize I'm not sure that would work. Will the old style campy work with a 14 tooth difference in the front? Most old cranks were 52/42 and that's only 10 teeth. It hadn't occurred to me until now.

And that clamp on eBay, it doesn't have the limit adjuster screws on it, and those were lost when the clamp cracked on my old one.

I use an older record front derailleur to shift over a triple, 26 to 52, and it (actually I am still amazed) works great!

Good to hear that. I guess I'll give it a try.

I use a Nuovo Record rear to shift a Shimano 10speed cassette and it also works great.

I have used '70s Neuvo record to shift 36-42-52 triples and have had no problems