Simplex Skewer(vintage) thread is? Or wingnut source ?

still me said:

I guess the first question is "does anyone know of a source for these
vintage wingnuts".

Assuming the answer is likely "no" - does anyone know what the thread
on the skewer is? It's M5, but it's finer than 80 and it's not a 70 or
a 50. Might be a 60, but I can't find a local sample to try.

It does not match any other vintage skewer end nut that I've tried,
(and I have quite a selection :-)

First off, they work fine with just the steel nut, without the
nylon/brass locknut and extra spring. Do lube the cam, it's a great design:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/aq.html

French metric skewers are m5 x 0.9 rather than 0.8 [*] so you can use a
later Atom/Maillard skewer nut if you want a 'modern' look on the other
side.

[*] a pitch of 0.8 is finer than 0.9; yours is more coarse, hold
directly against a modern skewer to compare, it's obvious.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Sun, 27 May 2007 18:11:53 -0500, A Muzi <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

still me said:

I guess the first question is "does anyone know of a source for these
vintage wingnuts".

Assuming the answer is likely "no" - does anyone know what the thread
on the skewer is? It's M5, but it's finer than 80 and it's not a 70 or
a 50. Might be a 60, but I can't find a local sample to try.

It does not match any other vintage skewer end nut that I've tried,
(and I have quite a selection :-)

First off, they work fine with just the steel nut, without the
nylon/brass locknut and extra spring. Do lube the cam, it's a great design:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/aq.html

French metric skewers are m5 x 0.9 rather than 0.8 [*] so you can use a
later Atom/Maillard skewer nut if you want a 'modern' look on the other
side.

[*] a pitch of 0.8 is finer than 0.9; yours is more coarse, hold
directly against a modern skewer to compare, it's obvious.

First, thanks. I was not sure if the double nut was necessary to
prevent it creeping. I realize it's not exactly a locknut.

Are you sure it's .9? It looks much finer to me than a .8. I tried a
selection of skewer nuts from the Atom/Maillard series including the
70's chrome type, the later plastic winged type, one from a set of
Maillard 700's, and a later Simplex type (large black winged one piece
nut). None of them matched, most appeared coarser... the later Simplex
was close but not a match.

Bob

still me said:

Are you sure it's .9? It looks much finer to me than a .8. I tried a
selection of skewer nuts from the Atom/Maillard series including the
70's chrome type, the later plastic winged type, one from a set of
Maillard 700's, and a later Simplex type (large black winged one piece
nut). None of them matched, most appeared coarser... the later Simplex
was close but not a match.

Sutherlands lists simplex old style as 5 x 0.75, new style as 0.80mm
--
/Marten

info(apestaartje)m-gineering(punt)nl

"still me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I guess the first question is "does anyone know of a source for these
vintage wingnuts".

Assuming the answer is likely "no" - does anyone know what the thread
on the skewer is? It's M5, but it's finer than 80 and it's not a 70 or
a 50. Might be a 60, but I can't find a local sample to try.

It does not match any other vintage skewer end nut that I've tried,
(and I have quite a selection :-)

Thanks,

The French had at least 3 different thread "standards" before the adoption
of the ISO Metric Standard.

S. F. - Système Français used 50° angle threads

SI and Sellers used the more standard 60° angle threads

All of these standards used oddball thread pitch and diameter combinations
so as to protect French industry from other nations producing cheap
replacement parts much in the same way as British Whitworth, BA, and other
[censored] spawn of the UK tried to accomplish.

You may be able to find a replacement on eBay but be prepared to pay
through the nose as the Japanese have taken a shine to classic French
components. Last week there was a pair of Simplex skewers with white
plastic covers that were up to $333 USD the last time I checked.

Chas.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

still me said:

I guess the first question is "does anyone know of a source for these
vintage wingnuts".
Assuming the answer is likely "no" - does anyone know what the thread
on the skewer is? It's M5, but it's finer than 80 and it's not a 70 or
a 50. Might be a 60, but I can't find a local sample to try.
It does not match any other vintage skewer end nut that I've tried,
(and I have quite a selection :-)

Quoted message said:

A Muzi said:

First off, they work fine with just the steel nut, without the
nylon/brass locknut and extra spring. Do lube the cam, it's a great design:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/aq.html
French metric skewers are m5 x 0.9 rather than 0.8 [*] so you can use a
later Atom/Maillard skewer nut if you want a 'modern' look on the other
side.
[*] a pitch of 0.8 is finer than 0.9; yours is more coarse, hold
directly against a modern skewer to compare, it's obvious.

still me said:

First, thanks. I was not sure if the double nut was necessary to
prevent it creeping. I realize it's not exactly a locknut.
Are you sure it's .9? It looks much finer to me than a .8. I tried a
selection of skewer nuts from the Atom/Maillard series including the
70's chrome type, the later plastic winged type, one from a set of
Maillard 700's, and a later Simplex type (large black winged one piece
nut). None of them matched, most appeared coarser... the later Simplex
was close but not a match.

Oh, the amazing things one might learn by measuring! Thanks for the
impetus. I measured a Campagnolo-type Simplex skewer in my desk drawer
yesterday at 0.9, same as Atom-Maillard.

Today I just dragged out and cleaned up my bike with center lever
Simplex skewers which measure 0.75.

I can't recall any other thing that's m5 x 0.75 BTW.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

* * Chas said:

You may be able to find a replacement on eBay but be prepared to pay
through the nose as the Japanese have taken a shine to classic French
components. Last week there was a pair of Simplex skewers with white
plastic covers that were up to $333 USD the last time I checked.

This is usually not a problem, assuming you are creative. I know guys
who bought peugeot PX-10's on ebay, and sold the skewers so THE BIKE
WAS ESSENTIALLY FREE !! Just be creative (wheels, whole bikes) in
what you will purchase to obtain your skewers ...

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

On Mon, 28 May 2007 14:10:48 -0500, A Muzi <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Oh, the amazing things one might learn by measuring! Thanks for the
impetus. I measured a Campagnolo-type Simplex skewer in my desk drawer
yesterday at 0.9, same as Atom-Maillard.

Today I just dragged out and cleaned up my bike with center lever
Simplex skewers which measure 0.75.

I can't recall any other thing that's m5 x 0.75 BTW.

Thanks... that's why it was so close, yet so far!

On 28 May 2007 13:09:49 -0700, [email hidden] (Donald Gillies)

Quoted message said:

This is usually not a problem, assuming you are creative. I know guys
who bought peugeot PX-10's on ebay, and sold the skewers so THE BIKE
WAS ESSENTIALLY FREE !! Just be creative (wheels, whole bikes) in
what you will purchase to obtain your skewers ...

yeah... I confess to picking up mine on a more modern set of wheels
that I didn't really want (and apparently neither did anyone else). I
sold the wheels at a slight loss and kept the skewers, but the nut
situation is tenuous!

One follow up question: Is it possible to remove the lever handles
from the rods on these? I have one a backup with bad threads (someone
else mis-threaded it) but the lever/rubber is in great shape. Any way
to detach the lever from the shaft?

"still me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One follow up question: Is it possible to remove the lever handles
from the rods on these? I have one a backup with bad threads (someone
else mis-threaded it) but the lever/rubber is in great shape. Any way
to detach the lever from the shaft?

Funny thing, back in the day when a bike came into the shop with Simplex
skewers, if they were damaged in any way we thew them away and replaced
them with a new Normandy/Atom QR for about $4-$5.

Chas.

"Donald Gillies" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

* * Chas said:

You may be able to find a replacement on eBay but be prepared to pay
through the nose as the Japanese have taken a shine to classic French
components. Last week there was a pair of Simplex skewers with white
plastic covers that were up to $333 USD the last time I checked.

This is usually not a problem, assuming you are creative. I know guys
who bought peugeot PX-10's on ebay, and sold the skewers so THE BIKE
WAS ESSENTIALLY FREE !! Just be creative (wheels, whole bikes) in
what you will purchase to obtain your skewers ...

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

I was watching an old French frame on eBay all last week. The seller
parted it out but like a lot of other inexperienced sellers couldn't get
the Campy cranks off.

It sat all week for $25.00. I figured a set of French thread Campy cranks
were worth at least $25.00.

It looks to me like the auction got shilled because right at the end a
buyer with zero history who just signed up on 5-22-07 ran the price up to
$138.00.

Chas.

still me said:

On 28 May 2007 13:09:49 -0700, [email hidden] (Donald Gillies)

Quoted message said:

This is usually not a problem, assuming you are creative. I know guys
who bought peugeot PX-10's on ebay, and sold the skewers so THE BIKE
WAS ESSENTIALLY FREE !! Just be creative (wheels, whole bikes) in
what you will purchase to obtain your skewers ...

yeah... I confess to picking up mine on a more modern set of wheels
that I didn't really want (and apparently neither did anyone else). I
sold the wheels at a slight loss and kept the skewers, but the nut
situation is tenuous!

Well, I guess I'll kick myself again. I gave a set to the Community
Cycling Center a couple of years ago -- along with a big box of other
stuff and some original PW hubs (or nearly -- I think they were '73).
I'm sure some mechanic is now retiring on my old Simplex QRs. I never
though of all my old parts as "collectible" -- unless speaking in
terms of dust. -- Jay Beattie.

"Jay Beattie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

still me said:

On 28 May 2007 13:09:49 -0700, [email hidden] (Donald Gillies)

Quoted message said:

This is usually not a problem, assuming you are creative. I know

guys

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

who bought peugeot PX-10's on ebay, and sold the skewers so THE BIKE
WAS ESSENTIALLY FREE !! Just be creative (wheels, whole bikes) in
what you will purchase to obtain your skewers ...

yeah... I confess to picking up mine on a more modern set of wheels
that I didn't really want (and apparently neither did anyone else). I
sold the wheels at a slight loss and kept the skewers, but the nut
situation is tenuous!

Well, I guess I'll kick myself again. I gave a set to the Community
Cycling Center a couple of years ago -- along with a big box of other
stuff and some original PW hubs (or nearly -- I think they were '73).
I'm sure some mechanic is now retiring on my old Simplex QRs. I never
though of all my old parts as "collectible" -- unless speaking in
terms of dust. -- Jay Beattie.

When I ran a shop in the 1970s I threw away a lot of better "junk" than I
see being auctioned on eBay these days, especially old French components.

I have a like new set of Huret Jubilee derailleurs including the cable
guide plus a brand new extra set of levers. I've seen these derailleur
sets selling for $300-$400 USD. Cough, gag.....

Chas.

* * Chas said:

I have a like new set of Huret Jubilee derailleurs including the cable
guide plus a brand new extra set of levers. I've seen these derailleur
sets selling for $300-$400 USD. Cough, gag.....

Chas.

And I've heard of a wholesaler recently finding 10+ sets of NOS and
jumping on them for fun and throwing them away. Good of them to keep
the price up 😉

--
/Marten

info(apestaartje)m-gineering(punt)nl

* * Chas said:

I've seen these derailleur
sets selling for $300-$400 USD. Cough, gag.....

NIB, yeah.

The sad news is that they really are crappy shifting! I thought I
wanted one on my vintage Competition for purity - until I shifted it
and found how sloppy it was and how much cable it needed moved to to
shift.

One brief bit of filing later the Competition was sporting a Super LJ.

still me said:

One follow up question: Is it possible to remove the lever handles
from the rods on these? I have one a backup with bad threads (someone
else mis-threaded it) but the lever/rubber is in great shape. Any way
to detach the lever from the shaft?

Not that I've ever accomplished. The end of the conical cover is pressed
over the cam after assembly. That's the last 2mm radius on the outside.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

-snip 'old' -

* * Chas said:

When I ran a shop in the 1970s I threw away a lot of better "junk"

than I

Quoted message said:

see being auctioned on eBay these days, especially old French components.

I have a like new set of Huret Jubilee derailleurs including the cable
guide plus a brand new extra set of levers. I've seen these derailleur
sets selling for $300-$400 USD. Cough, gag.....

You are low in your estimate:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/huret.html

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

"A Muzi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

-snip 'old' -

* * Chas said:

When I ran a shop in the 1970s I threw away a lot of better "junk"

than I

Quoted message said:

see being auctioned on eBay these days, especially old French

components.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have a like new set of Huret Jubilee derailleurs including the cable
guide plus a brand new extra set of levers. I've seen these derailleur
sets selling for $300-$400 USD. Cough, gag.....

You are low in your estimate:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/huret.html

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

I've never seen the Campy adapter before.

We sold a few sets of Jubilee derailleurs but we came by most of them as
take offs from new bikes.

In my brief lightness at any cost days (literally days) I built up a super
light time trial bike with Jubilee derailleurs, Hi-E wheels, Lyotard 460D
pedals and all of the other lightweight components from that era. The
front derailleur jammed and broke on the first ride.

Shortly afterwards I switched to weight appropriate components and never
looked back.

Chas.

"still me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

* * Chas said:

I've seen these derailleur
sets selling for $300-$400 USD. Cough, gag.....

NIB, yeah.

The sad news is that they really are crappy shifting! I thought I
wanted one on my vintage Competition for purity - until I shifted it
and found how sloppy it was and how much cable it needed moved to to
shift.

One brief bit of filing later the Competition was sporting a Super LJ.

I built up a super light time trial bike with Jubilee derailleurs about
1974. I jammed and broke the front derailleur on the first ride. The rear
derailleurs shifted corn cob freewheels OK if you used all of the correct
Huret components and were gentle with them.

Chas.