Rear mech breakage

[Goldie]

Just discovered that the metal frame that holds the lower tensioning wheel in place on my rear mech has sheared through on one side, so that the wheel is only attached on one side now. The mech is a 1969 Campgnolo Valentino Extra. I love it and the bike it's attached to very much, so I guess I'd be grateful for any or all of the following:

1. a sure fire method of repairing the frame;

2. a lead on a replacement frame and reassurance that swapping broken one for new one will be dead easy;

3. if neither of the above are possible, a reasonably priced Campag Valentino; or

4. if none of the above are possible, tea and sympathy.

Right, I'm off to weep into my beer for a bit...

[thirdcrank]

The good news is that in those days Campag prided themselves on their spares service. The bad news is that places like JD Whiskers "Our stock is our gimmick" who used to provide the retail end of that service found, as Campag eventually did, that there's no profit in spares (even if they cost the earth.)

There are sites specialising in Campag stuff - often calling it Campy You could try an ad in the wanted section. It's a long shot but you never know. Somewhere in my stores I have the bit you need but for a Campag Super Record mech circa 1980. (I've even got some Campag cones stamped 1957.) Theres all sorts of stuff out there. Just a matter of matching everybody up.

[531colin]

1. a sure fire method of repairing the frame;

If its steel and it comes off it can be brazed or silver soldered, chrome damage probably only local.

[thirdcrank]

One thing I forgot to mention is that if I've understood the problem correctly, the bit that's broken is called the cage, or more precisely, one of the sideplates of the cage. May help with googling.

[meic]

The cage sideplate doesnt really do that much.
If you can accurately measure the distance between the two pulley wheel spindles and find any plate with that distance you will probably be OK.
If it was Shimano, I could probably offer an old one to you as normally it is one part of the deraileur which never fails.
So possibly a Campagnolo person could do the same

except they dont wear out like Shimano parts.

[Baritono]

Meic shrugged:

4. if none of the above are possible, tea and sympathy.

I'll put the kettle on Meic. Good luck!

Regards

baritono