1960s Carpenter front mech issues

[Foreigner]

This is probably most stubborn bike I've had, not wanting to be build and ridden throwing all kinds of issues at me.

This time is the front mech - should probably noticed earlier to be honest - but the cable guides are made for different type of derailleur. Considering all other parts are Campagnolo GS or Record and the way the matchbox GS is set with cable pull on NDS, would it work? Current mech is no go, cable rubbing against the seat tube. No guides under bottom bracket I'm afraid.

Oh and drive side gear lever hits down tube too -could be brazing or is the lever a problem?

Thoughts?

 

[fiveSixteenths]

I have that exact issue on the Rotrax, only way I could resolve it reasonably neatly (and without setting everything on fire) was to use a short run of cable outer from where the guide kick-up runs to the mech. I’ll try and get a picture later.
The lever, that looks like the braze fitting is out?

 

[Jonny69]

Unfortunately quite a lot of old frames were built around specific components and, as I’m finding with my Blue Riband, it can be quite difficult to deviate away from what it originally had. Just looked at mine and it’s got divers helmet cable guides to the front mech, so no idea how I’m going to get a cable up to a front mech with normal cable routing!

 

[zerogravitas]

If you wanted to keep this derailleur you could put a small section of PTFE tube that runs from inside the BB guide and then round the seat tube where your rubbing problem is. Might be a bit inelegant though!
I use short bits of PTFE tube like this to route under bottom brackets on 80s/90s bikes where there is just an eyelet style guide and the cables would otherwise cut into the paint.

 

[sjcprojects]

Just looked at mine and it’s got divers helmet cable guides to the front mech, so no idea how I’m going to get a cable up to a front mech with normal cable routing!

@Jonny69 - I may be stating the obvious here, but it sounds like you need a FD with a cable stop on the band? Then an outer goes from the cable guide to the cable stop on the FD band. This doesn't help the OP, unfortunately, though...

 

[Foreigner]

If you wanted to keep this derailleur you could put a small section of PTFE tube that runs from inside the BB guide and then round the seat tube where your rubbing problem is. Might be a bit inelegant though!
I use short bits of PTFE tube like this to route under bottom brackets on 80s/90s bikes where there is just an eyelet style guide and the cables would otherwise cut into the paint.

Thx - not sure how as there is no BB guide at all? I'll check if I can add one though if any other solution fails....

 

[Foreigner]

I have that exact issue on the Rotrax, only way I could resolve it reasonably neatly (and without setting everything on fire) was to use a short run of cable outer from where the guide kick-up runs to the mech. I’ll try and get a picture later.
The lever, that looks like the braze fitting is out?

Yes please for the pic

 

[zerogravitas]

Thx - not sure how as there is no BB guide at all? I'll check if I can add one though if any other solution fails....

Sorry I mean the cable guide shown in your first picture. I imagine its wide enough to take a bit of tube.

 

[Foreigner]

Now, as mentioned above as Campagnolo matchbox front mech (GS in pic below) has a cable pinch bolt on the left rather than on the right, this could probably work? Anyone tried that? Anyone has one in their parts bin?

 

[Jonny69]

@Jonny69 - I may be stating the obvious here, but it sounds like you need a FD with a cable stop on the band? Then an outer goes from the cable guide to the cable stop on the FD band.

That is a good point. Not stating the obvious at all, I didn’t think of that and none of my FDs have a cable stop on them