Rebuilding 10 speed Campagnolo shifters, anyone do it?

[MrCannonCam]

I bought a silver 10 speed Centaur groupset this week (mostly for the derailleurs, and brandy new cassette). The guy threw in a set of bombed out Centaur shifters as well. I was contemplating just trying to find a set of 09 Centaur shifters to use, but I do have the others now... What I'm getting at is does anyone on here re-build Campy shifters? Both shifters need new brake blades very badly, they are some of the worst looking shifters I've seen. The internals on the left shifter are surprisingly smooth. The right seems like it could use some love though. I'm not sure what the right one would need (part of the reason I'm asking). If anyone could give me some sort of lead, I'd like to have these functional again, obviously willing to pay to have them overhauled and need to find the brake blades as well.

[Black Dog]

Send them to Vecchios in boulder. No one does campy shifters better.

http://www.vecchios.com

[OtayBW]

You can do it. Parts are available and so are the appropriate youtube tutorials.

[ultraman6970]

Depending on the centaur probably those are not rebuildable.

[pbarry]

Depending on the centaur probably those are not rebuildable.

10s Veloce in the Ergo V2 went to "Escape" non-rebuildable internals. OP knows best--A omplete shifting mechanism can be installed in these, IIRC.

Edit: Oops, the OP has Centaur, not Veloce, my bad.

[MrCannonCam]

Here's some pics of them if it helps anyone at all


http://s22.postimg.org/lyyxkyhdp/Campy_shifts_1.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/lyyxkyhdp/)

http://s22.postimg.org/nff1gu9od/Campy_Shifts_2.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/nff1gu9od/)

[lovebird]

Those look like pre-QS 10 speed Centaur, probably 2005 or 2006 model year. Terrific shifters, and they share almost all their internals with the Record and Chorus shifters from that era, so they are totally rebuildable unlike the later Centaur. (I think the spring carrier might be different material than Record, and there may be bushings instead of bearings on the shift mechanism, but everything should be swappable, so there are spare parts available). I've got those exact Centaur shifters on two bikes and they shift great. Good luck finding the blades, though - I think aluminum blades are highly desirable, and new, replacement blades are a firtune. Any blades from that era should fit - Chorus in aluminum or carbon, or Record in carbon - so good luck in the hunt for a used set.

[nighthawk]

The internals are easy... I think you are going to have a hard time finding replacement alloy blades, though.

[MrCannonCam]

Does anyone know of a way to polish the blades or clean them up in any way?

[ultraman6970]

Im not that sure if that is paint or not what is over the blades, can't tell from the pictures but...

If its paint you have two options, use something like mineral spirits and try to wipe that off, second option is to just sand that off with wet sand paper (500 or 600 grit) and then go to a 2000 grit wet sandpaper and polish the blade.

Hope this helps.

[nighthawk]

Does anyone know of a way to polish the blades or clean them up in any way?

Are they scratched or gouged at all? If so, you'll need to sand them. If the finish is just worn, they can be polished. I've gotten good results using Greased Lightning and Mothers.

[thirdgenbird]

It's not paint. That's what they look like when the ano goes and the alloy oxidizes. I polished a set for 4rings6stars that were similar:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/aluminum%20polish%20work/186be8d906098ce0391facb377da505c_zps85ef3ba3.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/aluminum%20polish%20work/68026d7e11091e3737eac6388794c356_zpsb8e29a45.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/aluminum%20polish%20work/0e251c21a096dc4d6bb116bead065c71_zps70698bc9.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/aluminum%20polish%20work/30b7a7d31ffb54ae0754ea8d6a6cfbf7_zps0999f53a.jpg

[mccx]

The alloy blades can be polished the same way a lot of anodized alloy parts can. Strip the anodizing: oven cleaner, fine sandpaper, and metal polish.
http://theradavist.com/2009/10/tutorial-polishing-bicycle-parts/

[thirdgenbird]

That's basically the procedure I use. I've found campy's anodized finish is about the toughest to remove. A cheap oven clearer won't touch it, make sure you use easy off.

[MrCannonCam]

Sweet deal, looks like I may be able to save these pups after all. Thanks everyone for the input. I'll look at a few rebuilding tutorials and see what's going on with the internals and looks like I can take on the polishing job as well

[mccx]

That's basically the procedure I use. I've found campy's anodized finish is about the toughest to remove. A cheap oven clearer won't touch it, make sure you use easy off.

I've done Campagnolo cranks, but not levers. Lye-based Easy Off worked well for me too (but be careful).

Casey, did you put anything on the levers other than the metal polish after you were done? I've heard recommendations for car wax or somesuch and am wondering if lever blades need post-polishing treatment since they get more sweat and grease on them than cranks do.

[thirdgenbird]

I use auto wax. Seems to hold up fine. If it starts looking hazy, you can hit it with mothers polish and a fresh coat of wax. It only takes a few min.

[oldpotatoe]

Here's some pics of them if it helps anyone at all


http://s22.postimg.org/lyyxkyhdp/Campy_shifts_1.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/lyyxkyhdp/)

http://s22.postimg.org/nff1gu9od/Campy_Shifts_2.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/nff1gu9od/)

Sure and easy...send them to Vecchio's and he can make them like new. The only 'gotcha' are the brake blades, which are probably not available anymore.

New springs, probably a RH spring carrier, clean and lube...they will feel like new.

[oldpotatoe]

Sweet deal, looks like I may be able to save these pups after all. Thanks everyone for the input. I'll look at a few rebuilding tutorials and see what's going on with the internals and looks like I can take on the polishing job as well

Just beware of some online places that will tell you you may need parts you don't need..like the actual shift disc on either side.

Taking apart and putting them back together isn't hard but can be difficult.