TimH wrote:
> This might sound like a crazy question, but does anyone
> know of a side-pull brake that was made to pull from the
> left side (looking from the back) of the calipers instead
> of the right?
That is an excellent question!
(I'll describe front brakes with cable on the chain side
as "right")
Generally, top quality and forged arms are right, pressed
arm standard models are left, as this current Tektro version
of Weinmann's timeless "500" :
http://www.yellowjersey.org/BINKYUDL.JPG
There isn't any "rule" about that.
Curious, I looked through some old catalogs and it appears
the convention was left( Weinmann, therefore DiaCompe, CLB,
LAM, Bebo, etc) until Campagnolo redefined 'pro brake' with
the Record of 1968. Then everyone switched to the now-more-
prestigious right side ( Zeus, Modolo, All The Labels Really
Made By Modolo, Universal, Mafac/Spidel, etc)
In the seventies and eighties, Weinmann/DiaCompe made their
standard series left (photo above) and top models (Carrera,
Royal Gran Compe) right. Shimano DuraAce have always been
right. The original 105 & 600 were left, after Shimano's
giant makeover of 1983 ( New 600 ) both switched to right.
Sante, too.
Shimano's nicely made, affordable Z calipers were offered
both ways (!). I found a Rino catalog showing a pro right
and standard left on the same page. No idea who actually
made them.
I probably shouldn't have spent that much time researching
this but I found it interesting.
--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1
April, 1971