Peter, Jan, et al.
For Mafac brakes, the after market arched plate that connected just in front of the bushings really makes a notable improvement in the feel and modulation of these particular brakes. This fix limits the flex of the calipers considerably. If someone were to make more of these there would not be the perceived need for bronze bushings and I would bet that these arched devices would be easier to make.
Regards,
Jim "Accountant, not a Machinist"Narlesky San Jose, CA
> In a message dated 3/13/2002 2:15:23 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> heine@mindspring.com writes:
>
>
> > The plastic bushings on the Mafacs could be replaced easily. Hardware
> > stores have bushings, but the right size might be harder to find.
> > I've been thinking of machining the bushings - and they are bronze,
> > not brass, as far as I know (and so are the ones in the hardware
> > store). I haven't got around to it. Anybody interested? I can provide
> > specs.
> >
> > HOWEVER, the brakes work great even with plastic bushings, so I
> > haven't felt the need. Consider than the bearing surface on the large
> > pivots is much greater than the pivot bolt on a standard sidepull
> > (such as Campy NR), and even those don't seem to be a problem.
>
> My interest in doing new bushings would be to make the pivots a bit
tighter
> so as to limit arm movement under braking.
> Maybe it's a moot point anyway: if the pivots are tight then the arms flex
> enough to make it more trouble than it's worth?
>
> Pete Geurds
> Douglassville, PA