Is there a trick to removing Nuovo Record brake lever clamps

[donevwil]

I'm new to this era of bike so please bear with me.

Removing the Nuovo Record brake levers from a bike built in the late '70s and it appears they've not been adjusted/moved since (bars had three layers of tape). I can hardly budge the clamps. Gobs of adhesive schmutz (no corrosion), but none under the clamps themselves, they are tight. Is there a trick to removing these? It looks like rotating the stud 90° might do something, but thought I'd ask before I potentially do something I'll regret.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Been a while for me too, but that nut just serves to pull the rod and put tension on the underside of the band. It should loosen a bit if you thread the nut on until the top is flush with the threads and then give it a firm smack with a hammer. And you will have to move it back and forth while pulling it down toward the end.

[donevwil]

Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd

Been a while for me too, but that nut just serves to pull the rod and put tension on the underside of the band. It should loosen a bit if you thread the nut on until the top is flush with the threads and then give it a firm smack with a hammer. And you will have to move it back and forth while pulling it down toward the end.

The nuts are loose, I just threaded them back on after removing the levers so I wouldn't lose them. I may soak the clamp area for a while and see if that helps. So far this whole bike disassembly has been a commercial for Kroil.

[obrentharris]

I like the colonel's hammer trick to slightly loosen the clamp. The only tricks I know are to remove all of the old adhesive from the bars and to then lightly grease the bars. Usually lacquer thinner will remove the adhesive. (but not always)
Brent

[donevwil]

Thanks guys, something to try this weekend.

[AngryScientist]

The band itself looks to be in good uncorroded shape, which is good. I'd clamp that gently in a bench vise and use the bar for leverage to wiggle it loose.

[rccardr]

Yep, bar’s gotta be squeaky clean below the clamp to the bar end before it can be removed. They were always tight to begin with.

Lighter fluid may remove the adhesive, but turp is likely your friend here. You might try vegetable oil wrapped with Saran Wrap overnight or longer- that sometimes works.

If the clamp is still too tight to move, then yeah, I’d give the tip of the bolt a whack or two to loosen it up.

[Spaghetti Legs]

I’ve always found it easier to remove those with the brake lever attached. Better control and leverage. I like the gentle persuasion with a hammer to loosen up also.

[donevwil]

Well, that was easy. Lacquer thinner to the rescue (thank you obrentharris). Goo Gone wanted nothing to do with the adhesive, but thinner ate it in short order and provided the necessary lubrication. Turns out there was some adhesive from a prior wrap beneath the clamps so the thinner took care of that as well.

I really expected more corrosion after 48 years.

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions.

[Fat Cat]

[cnighbor1]

Rotate the vertical rod 90 degrees