I think the covered centerpulls you refer to were Dura Ace AX. AX was the "aero" group, with derailers, headset, levers and, of course, brakes massaged for aero efficiency. The brakes had a cover plate that concealed the inner workings. I never had a pair, but I seem to recall that they were marginal stoppers. They look similar to the Campy Delta brakes, although I believe the Shimanos came first.
I have a set of Dura Ace center pulls that are currently in an Italvega that is slowly progressing towards its road debut. They are fine brakes, but I agree they aren't anything special in the looks or polish department. For elegant centerpulls, the clear winners to my eyes are the Dia Compe Gran Compes, seen in the early 80's. Trek used them as standard equipment on their early 720 touring rigs. Rounded arms, glistening polish, elegant levers, and apparently ball bearing pivots. I was a loser on an eBay bidding war for a pair about 9 months ago. I think they went for $75 dollars or so.
Tom Adams, Kansas City
I checked out the Shimano 600 Centerpulls and the Dura Ace that were posted today, on the list. They seem plain and not the ones I have been dreaming about for years. The ones that stand out from all the Mafac and Weinmans that we all have known is this special one that was made for only a brief period, and only appeared on the best bikes, during the 80's.
These brakes must have been some kind of centerpull, but the center triangular section had a cover. This cover enclosed the mechanism so that you couldn't tell if the brakes were being activated by a central cable or maybe some kind of centerpull cam arrangement. These things were a real rarity, and you could go weeks in the 80's without spotting another set, usually on a super bike of aero pretensions. I kind of remember that they were some version of Shimano, as Shimano was doing very neat things in these years, (reference those platform pedals that had adjustable cleat length and lowered contact plates, plus they only fit into the special, Shimano crank arms.
As an aside, if we are discussing classic centerpulls, nothing has quite the meaty authoritative look of Weinmans. The Mafac Racers were elegant, somewhat in the spirit of these Shimano 600's, but the Weinmans looked like they really meant business. Sorry Dale, for a strictly artistic comment.
Any ideas about those rare phantom brakes of the 80's though?
Garth Libre in Surfside Fl.