Peter,
> It looks like the 2nd generation (rounded and engraved logo version) of > the "2000" brake had the same reach as the "Racer" brake. So, I guess > that the "2000" model could be described as an up-market version of the > "Racer".
No, they are very different. The MAFAC Racers (previously marked Dural Forge) had flat forged arms.
The transverse cables only had one cast-on end. The cables looked similar to a derailleur cable but with a smaller barrel end. The other end of the cable was clamped into a 3 piece cable clamp assembly that fit into a round "eye" in one end of the outboard arm.
Check out the picture in this link that I posted:
MAFAC Racer >http://tinyurl.com/2adurlt<
The 2nd generation Competition and 1st generation "2000" brakes had a transverse cable with the small "barrel" on one end and a cast-on tab on the other. The tab functioned as a quick release (there were also some MAFAC calipers that used transverse wires with round balls on each end).
The rounded brake arms were unlike any other MAFAC models. They looked more graceful but also as if they might lack stiffness. They were only made for about 2 years.
The somewhat polished rounded arms on these calipers looked like they were lightly finished on a buffing wheel before they were anodized.
The next versions of "2000" and Competition brakes had much more robust arms. They also appeared to have been tumble polished rather than buffed before anodizing.
Reach means nothing! I have a bunch of different MAFAC brakes from the era of the poster that I linked below. Most of them don't fit those specs. I have short and long reach Competition and "2000" calipers.
Esteemed CR member Amir posted a picture somewhere showing at least 12 different MAFAC brake bridges, the piece that the arms mount on to.
As with Simplex derailleurs (and most other French components) MAFAC frequently made undocumented changes to their product line. There was no logic to what they did! Is it wrong or just French!
If you believe published specs for French components, I can offer you your your choice of 5 different bridges spanning the San Francisco Bay! ;-)
BTW, the characters were rolled into the brake arms with a rotary "stamp" not engraved.
The arms were held stationary in a fixture while a round stamp with raised characters was rolled across the face of the arm. Probably by a tool similar to these:
http://www.steelstamps.com/
One other thing, we imported a small inventory of gold anodized MAFAC brakes and Simplex Super LJ derailleurs in 1975-76-77. We couldn't give the stuff away! We eventually built up some gold painted frames using those components along with gold rims, bars and stems. We still couldn't them away!
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
Peter Rogers wrote:
> Hi,
> To the eye, the extra reach versus the "Competition" brake is around
> 7mm. This is not an exact measurement though.
> Hope this helps.
> All the best,
> Peter Rogers
>
> Barrie, Ontario, Canada
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "verktyg"
> Subject: Re: [CR] MAFAC 2000 versus Competition?
>>
>> Jon,
>>
>> The attached files show the difference between 2nd generation MAFAC
>> 2000 and and 3rd generation Competition brakes.
>>
>> MAFAC had as many undocumented variations in their brakes as Simplex
>> did in their derailleur offerings.
>>
>> The 1st generation Competition brakes came out about 1970. They had a
>> shorter reach than the standard Racer brakes. The arms had the same
>> flat faced shape as Racers but they used different transverse cables
>> with a molded attachment at each end.
>>
>> MAFAC Racer
>> >http://tinyurl.com/2adurlt<
>>
>> MAFAC 1st generation Competition
>> >http://tinyurl.com/2gxtz2y<
>>
>> Around 1973 MAFAC introduced the 2nd generation Competition brakes and
>> at around the same time 1st generation MAFAC 2000 brakes. The outboard
>> sides of the arms were rounded rather than flat like the previous
>> version.
>>
>> MAFAC 1st generation "2000" (same overall appearance as 2nd generation
>> Competition)
>> >http://tinyurl.com/24h3k4z<
>>
>> Both this version Competition and "2000" where polished and anodized.
>> They came in both silver and gold anodized finish.
>>
>> The only difference that I remember between the 2 models was the
>> "2000" brakes had wheel guide that mounted on the brake block studs.
>> This was not a constant as I've seen both models with and without
>> wheel guides.
>>
>> Up to this point, the outboard brake arms had MAFAC and the model
>> STAMPED into them. They were not ENGRAVED!
>>
>> Engraving is a time intensive character by character process done
>> either by hand with a single point tool or with am engraving machine
>> with a small rotating cutter!
>>
>> Engraving machine
>> >http://tinyurl.com/26kd5e8<
>>
>> Today engraving can be done with computer controlled machines but it's
>> still a character by character process.
>>
>> Even the holy sacred Campagnolo components had logos and characters
>> STAMPED in not ENGRAVED!
>>
>> It's like a Fiat is not a Ferrari or a VW a Porsche!
>>
>> >http://www.gtschmidt.com/steel-stamps-marking-dies.shtml<
>>
>> About 1975 MAFAC introduced the 2nd generation "2000" and 3rd
>> generation Competition brakes. They both had a recess forged into the
>> right side of the outboard brake arm. MAFAC put black and gold plastic
>> film ID labels in the recesses.
>>
>> 3rd generation Competition
>> >http://tinyurl.com/286fgxl<
>>
>> 2nd generation "2000"
>> >http://tinyurl.com/29zgon8<
>>
>> Some Competition/"2000" calipers used transverse wires with a ball on
>> both ends, others had a tab that functioned as a quick release.
>>
>> Robert Broderick was so kind to post this 1979 MAFAC Parts breakdown.
>> It show that there were 3 version of both the "2000" and the
>> Competition. The "2000" had a longer reach.
>>
>> But... as I mentioned above, there were a lot of undocumented variants.
>>
>> YMMV... ;-)
>>
>> Chas. Colerich
>> Oakland, CA USA