MAFAC, Dia-Compe & Paul Centerpull Brake Specs

16 Responses to “MAFAC, Dia-Compe & Paul Centerpull Brake Specs”

1. David- Albuquerque
   January 12th, 2009 @ 10:18 am

   Helpful. Thanks!

2. Ray
   January 12th, 2009 @ 9:23 pm

   Thank you for providing useful(!) information.

3. Michael
   January 13th, 2009 @ 2:57 am

   I have some Mafac center pulls that are labeled “Top 63″. They are odd, but have some cool features. I’ve been unbale to find them on any Mafac sites/blogs/etc. Anyone know anything about these?

4. ruedatropical
   January 13th, 2009 @ 7:21 am

   Michael,

   You have the rarest and most sought after Mafac model. They sell for nosebleed prices. I’m not sure if that’s solely because not many were produced or if they are better performers as well.

   You can see an old Mafac ad with a description of features at wooljersey.com: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/broderir/Catalogs-Posters/MAFAC/1964.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1&g2_GALLERYSID=8f90d3f5b62e5455a7699be51f0c00da

   Also see Velobase: http://velobase.com/ViewSingleComponent.aspx?ID=ba35f558-5eec-4ed4-99bf-81cec6d3421b&Enum=117

5. Michael
   January 13th, 2009 @ 11:35 am

   Wow, thanks.

   I guess I should have grabbed it’s match when I had the chance. Maybe the other one will be there the next time I go, which could be in Feb. or March.

   I bought it, one because it looked really cool, but mainly because I wanted a vintage center-pull for a BMX bike. I also picked up a nice Weinmann. I wanted to use the Mafac, but it’s not built for a BMX bike. The rider’s bike I’m trying to copy had a Mafac, so last night I decided to research them only to find nothing on the one I have.

   I’ll probably go with the Weinmann or Shimano Tourney I picked up recently and sell this. I could use the $ to buy more vintage BMX stuff.

   Any ideas where I should offer it for sale? Ebay?

   Thanks

6. ruedatropical
   January 13th, 2009 @ 9:16 pm

   Do a search on eBay. There is an auction going on now for one NOS “Top 63″ brake. Bidding is already well above $300 and there is still a ways to go.

7. Michael
   January 13th, 2009 @ 10:47 pm

   Found them. Thanks. I searched last night but came up empty.

   Wish I had the second one. Pretty sure mine is NOS, too. Maybe I’ll hold on to it until I can get back to the place I got this one from and then sell them as a pair.

   Thanks for the info.

8. Michael
   September 29th, 2009 @ 11:37 pm

   I’m looking for a set of Mafac “S” center-pulls. They never seem to show up on eBay. Any ideas?

   I need them for a BMX bike. The bike I’m trying to replicate had Mafacs. The racer who rode the bike used standard Kool Stop Continental pads, so I figure he must have been using the “S”. They are the only 1979 or earlier Mafacs I know of with that type of brake mount.

   Thanks,

   Michael

9. I. Birch
   February 24th, 2010 @ 1:32 am

   Well, the big question here is whether I can convert a regular 700c or 27″ wheel frame to 650B using the “Raid” model MAFAC’s? Does anyone know the answer to this question?

10. Glenn Ammons
    April 30th, 2010 @ 9:41 am

    Just a heads up: the image link is broken, as are others on your blog.

11. ruedatropical
    April 30th, 2010 @ 3:03 pm

    Glenn,

    Thanks for the heads up but all the images show up fine on my browser.

12. Glenn Ammons
    May 5th, 2010 @ 10:00 am

    It must have been a transient problem. The images work for me now, too.

13. Glenn Ammons
    May 5th, 2010 @ 10:13 am

    On the more useful side: I have a set of Dia-Compe Mod 750 centerpulls in front of me and h is 18mm. Cm is 51mm. With my ruler and brake, E is 66mm.

14. Dave Loyd
    December 5th, 2010 @ 9:17 pm

    I just got a pair of Dia Compe Gran Compe 610 from Velo Orange. E is 65mm & H is 47-61mm. They look nice.

15. Chris Allen
    May 4th, 2011 @ 1:48 pm

    When you find an old Mafac centrepull brake that was the bolt on style it is easy to cut the existing bosses out of the aluminum piece they are pressed into. Presto, you have the starting point of the bosses you need to braze onto your fork blades or seat stays. It requires some creativity to create the final fit but it does work. I have done it many times.
    Chris Allen

16. Justin
    November 21st, 2012 @ 9:14 am

    Shimano Dura Ace centerpull brakes.
    http://www.velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=C1879448-76CC-436F-B9BA-B49CC638B9C1&Enum=117&AbsPos=1
    Reach 47-65mm (from Velobase)
    “E” measurement between pivots on center 64.0mm (my measurement)
    Distance between brake arms at narrowest point: 47.8mm (my measurement)

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