Tom Dalton wrote:
>
> Chuck,
> Here is the part that concerns me:
>
> Record front derailleur with four holes (later
> to be three) in cage, straight-band
> clamp (later to revert to traditional pointed-band
> clamp),
>
> It is not clear which, if either, of these changes
> occurred first. My theory is that the three-hole cage
> replaced the four holer before the new-style pointed
> clamp replaced the straight band. I say this only
> because I have seen a few three holers with staight
> bands, and I assume that they reflect production
> subsequent the former change and prior to the later.
> On the other hand, I have seen maybe one or two four
> holers with pointed clamps, but I figure that those
> may have started life with straight bands only to have
> the bands break (as they often did, I assume) and
> require replacement. Do you have any ideas on this
> (admittedly trivial) matter?
>
> Tom (lookin' for a four-holer) Dalton
All these changes took place in a very short time span I seem to remember. I have no idea what was wrong with having the "extra" hole in the cage (most people never noticed). The straight band clamp got a reputation for being delicate like a front Huret (in other words, don't get it too tight).
It is so easy to swap parts around on these things, that it makes it hard to make judgements on their authenticity as to originality. I used to take mine apart and get the arms black anodized. I also did hubs (after removing the races from the bodies), headsets (same deal) and chainrings. I would love to be around to hear the arguments when the stuff starts showing up a swapmeets!
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, California
headed toward the high 70s today and clear