BRAKES GALLERY (not available for sale)- last updated 8/3/08
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From left to right: rare Bianchi pantographed Campagnolo Record brake caliper; Campagnolo Record brake caliper with "Campagnolo" in script from the mid 80's; Campagnolo Record brake caliper with "CAMPAGNOLO" in block-style letters from the early 70's. The question is whether the Bianchi caliper was made from early-style caliper arms, or later, "script" style arms. There are precious few clues, but my conclusion is that the Bianchi caliper was made from the later, "script" style arms. Here's why: Look closely at the area where the machined part of the arm (where the brake pad bolts to the arm). Along the top horizontal surface, there's a smooth transition on the later "script" style arm, and a more square transition on the earlier "block" style arm. In other words, the leading edge of the arm as it goes down from the center mounting bolt to the brake pad follows a curved path on the Bianchi arm and the mid-80's "script" arm. The leading edge follows a less swoopy path on the early 70's "block" style arm. Finally, the thickness of the arm, front to back, near where the spring fits to the arm is 8 mm on the Bianchi and "script" arm, and 6.5 mm on the early version arm.
These extremely rare NOS Campagnolo brakes have the later aero shape, but the early block style lettering.
Campy Record Delta brakes from about 1987
This shows 2 versions of the rear brake cable hanger for the Italian Universal Model 61 centerpull brakes. The version on the left is for Cinelli frames which have the "fastback" style seat stays.
This is an example of the rare earliest version of Campy Record brakes. Note that there are no words impressed on the caliper arms. The levers are the "long reach" type, and the box is the correct and extremely rare earliest version. The box is shown with a later style box for comparison. The last picture shows the larger adjuster nuts and one of the adjuster screws for this early brakeset. The larger nuts are on top, and one of the larger screws is on the right. The more common smaller sized adjuster nuts and screw are shown for comparison.
French made CLB Professional brakeset
Here is a Mafac French "Dural Forge" brake caliper from the late 60's that has been partially disassembled. Note the red plastic bushings and the absence of any bronze in the stud/bushing assembly. Bronze was used on the earlier versions of this brake.
Universal Model 51 "Extra" and Model 61
Old Weinmann brake calipers from Switzerland