Warren wrote;
>>The DA group includes, calipers, levers, DT shifters, derailleurs,
36° hubs, 165 crankset, 13-21 cogs (5speed) and top tube cable
guides. The gum hoods are dry but not cracked The BB, cable guide and
QR's appear to be generic Shimano. I tell you it's been awhile since
I had anything nice to say about Shimano. I usually group them in
with the "Axis of Evil"...but this stuff is flash!<<
I have some early (although probably mixed year) Dura Ace components that will make an appearance on a bike at the Cirque. I'm using a Crane rear derailleur, but the rest of the bits are labeled Dura Ace, including the headset (steel) and even the top tube cable clips! I believe the brakeset (black anodized side pulls) to be from the early 70's. While searching for brake hood replacements, I discovered that my original, disintegrating DA hoods were the same as the early Shimano 600 hoods. They don't say "Shimano" on the sides, but rather have the little Shimano S-like logo. I think I scored a complete NOS 600 lever set at a swap for just a couple bucks. Viola! New (and cheap) hoods for my DA levers.
Can anyone verify the year for the first DA side-pull calipers?
Wayne Bingham
Falls Church VA