I had replied to Isaac off-list, but thought I'd contribute it to the list since the topic still has traction. Here's what I wrote, in part:
... the frame certainly has many of the characteristics of 3Rensho frames from the early-to-mid 80's, and is likely the genuine article. I have an '83 that's very similar (and almost exactly like Mark's 3Rensho in the link reference). I think the one in the eBay auction may be a little later, since it has Shimano drop-outs, chrome fork and doesn't have the top-mounted "aero" shifter boss like mine and Mark's......
I'll add that the "Aerodynamics" model, the one with that decal on the top tube, came later, and has different frame details, like the "superends". My '83 and Mark's '84 are Super Record Exports, called "aero" mostly because of the shitfter mount. It was the thing to do in '83 and '84, and disappeared soon after. My frame has two cable braze-ons on the top tube, not three as Mark's does. That's interesting. Mine has Campy drop-outs. As I had said to Isaac, I believe that the eBay frame is still a 3Rensho, maybe '85-ish. The poor pictures make it difficult to judge accurately though.
Wayne Bingham Lovettsville VA USA
On Fri, Mar 7, 2008 at 4:34 PM, jeffrey piwonka <jmpiwonka@yahoo.com> wrote:
> dropouts are shimano on the ebay frame. on the frame
> that he links to in his auction the dropouts are
> campagnolo. i guess that might not mean much but i
> wonder if he would've just used whatever dropouts and
> tips he had around...
>
> Jeff Piwonka
> austin, texas usa.
>
>
>
> --- eric a <moschika@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I'm kind of doubting it's what it's claimed. a few
> > things i've noticed that
> > are different from the my 3rensho aerodynamics.
> >
> > the seat cluster is similar but the binder bolt on
> > the ebay bike is up
> > higher, where as mine is right through the stays.
> >
> > it doesn't appear to have the "superend" stays
> > either on the fork tips or
> > the rear drop-out. though the pic isn't very good,
> > mine are stamped
> > "superends" on the the drop-out and if you look
> > closely at the picture of
> > the ebay forks, you can't see a "lug" around the tip
> > in the background.
> >
> > and as David Ross mentioned "the headtube ring
> > portion of the head lugs (on
> > the auction frame) have an interesting taper,
> > decreasing in height at the
> > front of the headtube. Mine is more conventional."
> > mine is also like
> > David's.
> >
> > also the shape of the fork is "different". the ebay
> > bike's fork looks
> > "beefier".
> >
> > about the only thing 3rensho like, is the chainstay
> > bridge behind the bottom
> > bracket.
> >
> > this are just my observations. here are pics of my
> > 3rensho aerodynamics.
> >
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
> >
> > but i do appreciate the heads-up on the decal set :D
> >
> > --
> > Eric Acuna
> > Santa Rosa, CA, USA
> >
> >
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> >
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> >
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