John Barry wrote:
>
> After removing the GB "Superhood" levers from the bars, I
> undertook to remove the hoods. I soon discovered why the
> half-hoods were called Superhoods.
I think I have heard that "hooded levers" originally didn't refer to any rubber cover, but to the shape of the metal "perch" that the lever pivots on. In this meaning, hooded referred to the hollow shape that hid the clamping and pivoting mechanisms inside. It's so commonplace now we don't think of it, but the olde style with the clamp offset to one side was uncomfortable to the hand, so the hooded lever was a big deal when first introduced.
Thus those GB levers might be Superhoods even with no rubber cover.
Or I could well have dreamt all this! I sure wasn't there... Any experts want to chime in?
By the way, I also have seen GB full rubber hoods that said Superhood on them - so it doesn't refer specifically to the half hoods.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA