1960's Bluemels AFA pump seals wanted..

[John Derry]

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this 1974 catalogue from the maker of AFA products, Poutrait-Morin, states that the plastic seal of that time be made of a material called "elastomere" and available in three sizes (see last image)

inherited an AFA frame pump model 818 from me parents and discovered it to have a cracked seal, the material is a milky whitish colour

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Interesting. Thanks.

 

[John Derry]

Hi John.. sorry to report.. not very well. The tap washers were nowhere near a fit, and the guy with the leather washers had sold the very last washer virtually as I pressed buy. So the pump is just an ornament on the bike at the moment and a cheapo Lidl pump was doing its job.

To be honest.. I've been so tied up with other things the past couple of years that my bikes have taken a back seat I'm afraid. Hopefully a space in time will be found at soon-ish and I'll be able to return to my two wheeled projects.. and finally sort that pump. Was actually thinking of buying some leather and having a go at making some..

There maybe some info here that will help out.. https://www.base-camp.co.uk/Cups .htm

All the best.. Dave..

Thanks Dave. I'm probably going to pursue the leather cup washer route. I'll let you know how I get on.

Regards,

John

 

[John Derry]

I've had a 1980s plastic Bluemels 3 for years, but recently got a BritanniAlloy Grand Prix for my 1953 Holdsworth.
Uses leather cup washers which were well knackered.

(I removed the multicolour rings with a hot air gun)
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Popped in to Belton and Slade - Wandsworth high street https://www.beltonandslade.com/
They had an old cardboard box in the back full of leather cup washers - £1 each.
If you're going past it's a damn fine old fashioned shop.

Fixed for £1 and I splurged on a spare too.

I'll check them out. Thanks.

 

[John Derry]

Good news! These 23mm cup washers from Zefal are a perfect fit. I had half a dozen good condition (but non-functional due to perished washers) Bluemels pumps which are now all working again: https://www.zefal.com/en/spare-parts/238-rubber-washer-23mm.html

 

[Sun Man 51]

Good news! These 23mm cup washers from Zefal are a perfect fit. I had half a dozen good condition (but non-functional due to perished washers) Bluemels pumps which are now all working again: https://www.zefal.com/en/spare-parts/238-rubber-washer-23mm.html

That's great John.. thanks for letting us know. I'm in France in a few weeks time for a month or two so will place an order..

 

[John Derry]

That's good timing

 

[John Derry]

That's great John.. thanks for letting us know. I'm in France in a few weeks time for a month or two so will place an order..

As an addendum to my post, I should point out that the 23mm washer works with MY pumps. That's no guarantee they'll be the right size for yours. Juvela's very helpful post with the catalogue extracts shows a 22mm 'Elastamere' washer (along with 2 other sizes). The Zefal website also has 22mm cup washers, which it lists as compatible with the 'Tornade' pump. I initially bought some of these, but they were too small for my pumps (expensive mistake, given the postage cost). Anyway, considering how cheap the washers are, and that you'll be in France, you might want to buy one of each, just in case.

 

[Sun Man 51]

Noted..

As an addendum to my post, I should point out that the 23mm washer works with MY pumps. That's no guarantee they'll be the right size for yours. Juvela's very helpful post with the catalogue extracts shows a 22mm 'Elastamere' washer (along with 2 other sizes). The Zefal website also has 22mm cup washers, which it lists as compatible with the 'Tornade' pump. I initially bought some of these, but they were too small for my pumps (expensive mistake, given the postage cost). Anyway, considering how cheap the washers are, and that you'll be in France, you might want to buy one of each, just in case.

Noted.. thanks for that. Will be sure to accurately measure the pump ID before ordering..