>From what I understand, some Fr=e9jus bikes imported during that period were equipped with Balilla sidepull brakesets. High-end bikes would have used levers like these on Renasissance Cycles, although the finish on earlier levers was much nicer:
https://secure.netonline.nl/
(see item BRL003)
Universal brakes are relatively easy to date, since the Mod. number reflects the date of introduction. Universal "Extra" a.k.a Mod.51 sidepulls are an excellent choice. Universal Mod'61 centerpulls are another. Mod'68 "Super" sidepulls were, as expected, not introduced until around 1968.
I'll have to leave a detailed description of MAFAC brakes to someone with more information.
Aldo Ross middletown, Ohio
----- Original Message Follows -----
From: scott Baxter <rg500g@yahoo.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Common brakes 1958-1963
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2006 19:41:51 -0800 (PST)
> Based on the advice from this list I found the 1958
> Campy catalog, printed it, and am gaining a better
> understanding of what to look for.
>
> Right off, I've got to re-think the brakes. I'm
> resigning myself to that, but the Nuovo Record
> stereotype is hard to shrug off. Reviewing the '58
> catalog should help somewhat. I've seen Universal
> type 68 side pulls and Mafac Racers both on eBay but
> have not been able to determine their date range of
> manufacture. There is no cable adjustment bridge on
> the seat stays for a rear center pull, but the frame
> may have had a cable stop held by the seatpost clamp
> bolt, I don't know. If someone could help me with
> Universal's range of manufacturing dates for their
> side pulls I may then be able to make a better
> informed choice for the frameset I'm working on. I
> believe that the Mafac "Racer" brakeset is period
> correct, but I don't know if it was specified for the
> Frejus or not. All the photos I've seen so far have
> Nuovo Record groups on them, thus my initial mistakes
> in choosing the group. If anyone knows of any photos
> of the Frejus Professional online with an accurate
> group please inform me of the link. Thanks in advance
> to all.
>
> Scott Baxter
> St. Louis, MO.