Don Gillies asked about Huret drop-out adjusters:
<<In the process of dissassembling everything to send it out for a tube replacement, i chanced to remove the huret dropout adjusters from the huret dropouts.>>
<<Strangely, the slide right out without any screwing action required (I think i actually bumped them and they repositioned themselves right away.) They are not bent and there is no damage in this area of the bike.>>
<<What gives ?? These look like the originals>>
.......and Jan Heine answered:
<< While I am unfamiliar with that type of Huret dropout, I looked at your photo. The Singer dropout you show appears to have an insert that acts as a "nut" - assuming it's threaded. In that case, the dropout itself must have a simple, unthreaded hole for the system to work. Is your bike missing the presumably threaded inserts?>>
Yes, the drop outs are not threaded but the inserts (plastic shaped half-round pieces with the side away from the drop-out concave to accept the axle) are threaded.
<<I wonder how the inserts are kept from turning. Is there a groove at the top and bottom of the dropout slot, with a matching splines in the insert, so the insert can slide back and forth only? >>
No, they are a snug fit and simply push into, and butt up against the drop-out. The adjusting screw threads into them (and through them if you wish) and you may have to hold the piece in place by hand, but it's not a big deal. The advantage of this approach, is never having an adjuster screw break off inside a drop-out, which some of you may know, is a major pain to remove. I made some of these years ago (plumbing supply houses will provide nice thick plastic washers, and your dremel, file and drill can do the rest). I have two bikes with this type of adjuster - both Motobecanes (Grand Jubile and Grand Touring).
Cheers to All,
Chuck Brooks
Malta, NY