Cycling UK Forum

My pump, (at least 20 years old !! ) has just suffered a broken handle.
It's the black plastic type handle.
I've tried searching the usual sources but so far no obvious replacement.
I'm happy to replace with a wooden handle, if I can get one, or if anybody has a spare from a cannabilised pump that they no longer needs.....
Thanks

How's your leather washer?

My Silca pump is just about ok except for the washer, I asked on here about washers for them, and Thirdcrank produced a link. The washer was rather expensive just for a bit of leather, so I had a go at making one. Rubbish idea!

I ended up splashing out on a spanking new track pump. The dial is at the top, where I can read it! It's lighter and fancier, and if it lasts the 20 odd years that my Silca one did, I'll be a happy bunny!

Any road up, the Silca pump is sitting in a corner somewhere, I may have chucked the thing out. Hang on a sec, and I'll go and have a shufti ..........

..........

Yep. Still got it!

PM me with an address, and I'll get the handle off to you. It unscrewed easily. I don't want anything for it - just shove some money in your favourite charity box.

Brill...... as daughter says!

Yes got a couple of spare washers, somewhere.
My brother found some in his local bike shop and got a couple for me ( don't think I ever paid him !! iirc £1 each.... it was a few years ago )
I too tried making one, utter waste of time...

I've had recent use of a Blackburn with the gauge at the top ( saves using the 'hand' pump). I too like that style as I don't have to put my glasses on to read the pressure !!

Thanks for your help, pm sent.

oo, oo, Mick, if you are chopping up an old Silca could I be so bold as to put in a request for the nozzle if it hasn't gone too slack and loose when on the tyre valve?
cheers

Sorry Si, the nozzle packed up yonks back and I bought one of these
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topea ... 360006664/
Expensive I know, but SO MUCH BETTER!!!!

My brand spanking new pump had a not-too-good fitting, so I put the Topeak one on. Perfect.

A big thank you to Mick .
I now have a useable pump again.
Many thanks.

Great pumps. If anyone knows a supplier of the valve rubbers (the ones inside the brass chuck that fits on the presta) or any other Silca parts I'd be grateful.

Try Whiskers at Goffs Oak they had brass heads and spare rubbers a while back .

kingfisher wrote:A big thank you to Mick .
I now have a useable pump again.
Many thanks.

Great stuff, and ta for the PM!
Glad you're happy.

On the subject of Silca pumps, mine is/was yonks old and has given good service, but it's so old fashioned, heavy and inefficient compared to modern ones.

Mine has corrosion on the base unit, it wobbles on the unit too. The boss at the top of the pump is worn, the leather washer has perished, the valve rubber and the fitting never worked that well - you had to fiddle around with it to change from Presta to Shrader, and the pressure gauge was so far from my eyes I have had a great deal of difficulty reading it as I became older!

Modern ones are SO much better.

Robby wrote:Try Whiskers at Goffs Oak they had brass heads and spare rubbers a while back .

Thanks Robby. Have to disagree with Mick, I bought two plastic track pumps since the Sila (as back up ) and both were v.poor in comparison, disposable basically.

About two years ago Mike Dyson had various 'pump spares etc' and iirc those small rubber washers were one of the items. It seems difficult to find them so if you do get half a dozen !
I've just had a look in my bike tool box and I have a couple. If you are desperate, pm me your phone number , I'll check out exactly what you need and I'll send you one.
Mick helped me out...... perhaps I can do the same !
One spare is fine for me, I 'm back using the Silca as my Blackburn is seriously broken ...... and I have to put my glasses on to read the guage - unlike the Blackburn..... oh well !!

I'll have a look see if the shops have any and will get back to you Kingfisher if I have no luck. Thanks again.
The one downside with the Silca is it doesn't have a locking mechanism and relies on rubber friction to stay on the presta valve. Mine's at the stage where you need a third hand to hold the brass end on while you pump with the other two.

I was having the same problem as Glueman with the connection staying the valve on my Blackburn pump, so after asking for some recomendations on here I bought a Topeak Joe Blow sport 2.I've been using it for about a month now and can say I'm well satisfied,well built,easy to use and an easy dail , and all for £30, very good ,that is until I found them in my LBS for £28.

Bit of a thread resurrection, I know, but I'm looking for advice on keeping a VERY old Silca going. The contents of the steel barrel are kept in place on my model with a white nylon threaded stopper. Unfortunately that stopper is now refusing to stay put, so the pump is virtually unusable. I've thought of using some ptfe tape to pack out the thread a bit, but if anyone has any better suggestions...

As an aside, I was told long ago that the answer to a loose push-fit presta connector was to purchase an old fashioned rubber door stop. These fit a treat inside the brass connector and you just ream out the central screw hole a smidgeon until you get a nice tight fit - THAT part of my pump is still going strong!

The top of my Presta ( the stopper with a hole for the shaft) is held in by a small screw.
I bought my last leather washer from SJSC. They were crap!
I still have the brass valve fitting but ditched it for a mdodern locking one.
If any one knows of an up to date supply of those washers let me knoow.