Shimano 105 Golden Arrow Hoods (for a 1983 Raleigh Corsa)

Postit · 03-02-2012 9:28pm #1

I picked up a lovely 1983 Raleigh Corsa is fairly good nick today. Being nearly 30 years old, it need a few bits and bobs of course, and one of those is new black or maybe blue brake lever hoods.

I scoured the internet for them for the last three hours and no joy, so I'm hoping someone here can help.

Here's a link to the technical stuff with pictures etc, although I don't want brown: http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=df7cbb43-aa26-4501-9bd5-c2327ea6c8bf

Also, if anyone has gotten a saddle re-leathered, please let me know where and how much?

Here's a pic of what I'm hoping to get it looking like: http://fstatic1.rennrad-news.de/img/photos/1/6/9/9/_/large/stand21-5-10.JPG?0

Might be a tall order to get it as pristine as that one, but close will do!

happytramp · 03-02-2012 9:55pm

Postit wrote: »

I scoured the internet for them for the last three hours and no joy, so I'm hoping someone here can help.

Ha, welcome to hell! brake hoods are the most difficult part of an old bike to replace since the rubber decomposes over time and they keep getting more expensive (campy record go for over $100). I spent several months searching, before I found ones I felt were acceptable.

These ones are the only easily available 'non-aero' hood. But the fit may not be great.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dia-Compe-Cane-Creek-Standard-Non-Aero-Hoods-Brown-/370582089605?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564869ef85

This site sometimes has the ones your looking for but seem to be out of stock right now.

http://www.the-bici.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=72

these were the ones I went for.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-non-aero-brake-lever-hoods-Campagnolo-Nuovo-Super-Record-etc-NEW-/140686332519?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item20c18f1267#ht_500wt_1287

Do a search for 'Non-aero' hoods

Postit · 03-02-2012 10:29pm

Thanks.....didn't realise it would become quite such an ordeal!!!

Do you think these would fit? http://www.ebay.ie/itm/WEINMANN-non-aero-RUBBER-HOODS-vintage-NOS-/330673805070?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cfdb1d70e

happytramp · 03-02-2012 10:50pm

The fit will be 'okay' but not exact. The Weinmann and Dia-compe hoods fit a fatter lever body whereas the old Shimano 105 is a similar size to the campagnolo record and takes a slimmer hood.

These ones are the right fit but a bit more expensive. Got a pair myself and they are good quality.

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Standard-Black-Brake-Lever-Hoods-Campagnolo-Universal-/300658654808?pt=Ricambi_per_biciclette&hash=item4600a6fe58#ht_2587wt_1026

happytramp · 03-02-2012 11:54pm

Also for your saddle, I'd recommend buying a piece of leather on ebay for a couple of quid and re-covering it yourself. It's pretty straight forward, I did mine in an hour or two and it looks great. You just need some leather, glue, scissors and a sharp knife.

This thread will tell you all you need to know.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/716680-Recover-Your-Saddle

Postit · 04-02-2012 11:32am

Thanks for all the info happytramp......really usefull!

As the foam is a bit knackered on the saddle, I decided a new one was probably gonna work out at similar money to a refurb, so I ordered this last night in white: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=70702 I think its shape will match the 1980's look of the bike and the manufacturers stitiching isn't too prominent.

Those Italian brake hoods look like just the job. There are some red (now pink due to discolouration) hoods already on the levers....condition-wise they're fine, but they look awful and definitely won't suit the blue bar tape I'm fitting, so I'm going to try dyeing them black.

Apparently (according to youtube) it can be done, but I have nothing to lose. If it works out great, if not I'll order the ones from ebay.it

Cheers again for the info!

Postit · 15-02-2012 10:57pm

Finished putting the bike back together today, so thought I'd share a pic.

Thanks to happytramp for the link to those ebay.it hoods. They're a perfect fit!
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