Classic & Vintage - Sun Tour Honor

Anyone have any information on Sun Tour Honor derailleurs? The Mystery bike Samurai uses them (friction type of course). I figure it'd be a 70s model at that pace. No one I've talked to knows anything about a brand called "Samurai" that is from the 70s and made in Japan and used a white Samurai on a Horse for a headbadge.

Anyone have any information on Sun Tour Honor derailleurs? The Mystery bike Samurai uses them (friction type of course). I figure it'd be a 70s model at that pace. No one I've talked to knows anything about a brand called "Samurai" that is from the 70s and made in Japan and used a white Samurai on a Horse for a headbadge.

Have you checked the archives? I'm pretty sure that's been discussed a year or two ago. Also, check the sticky for reference links. I'm pretty sure one of them has the entire SunTour line-up on it. If all else fails, wait for T-Mar. :)

hmmm I'll check the links and archives for it. THe front is a Sun Tour "Spirt" (did they mis-spell 'spirit' or is it 'spirt"). Both say "Maeda" on the back.

They were lower-level comps, found on lower level bikes.
But like most all Sun Tour gear they worked better than they cost.
Top

As Top said, lower end stuff but works quite well. You can date your bike by component dates. Try this site.
http://www.vintage-trek.com/index.htm

As Top said, lower end stuff but works quite well. You can date your bike by component dates. Try this site.
http://www.vintage-trek.com/index.htm

Thanks for the replies- I agree with the opinions on the Suntour parts. They're lower end pieces but I'm actually pretty happy with their quality. They shift pretty smoothly and are reliable, even after almost 30 years.

The date codes on the Sun Tour parts show U D, which the chart the Trek Site provided lists as April, 1978. The Dia Compe brakes have a code that seems to imply May 1978 as their date of manufacture. All told I think the bike dates to Spring 1978. The parts are all very workable and easy to adjust. Everything is original and still works well on it. I would guess the Samurai is a lower-end Japanese bike imported during the bike boom then. However, I'm still curious as to information on the brand. I've never seen another Samurai brand, but the labels and stampings don't show it to be any of the major brands. Maybe Samurai was a small brand that didn't last in the US market because it got lost in the price battles between the larger companies in the late 70s during the bike boom. If anyone has any information on the brand, let me know.

I will still say I like these Sun Tour friction shifters better than the newer Shimano index shifters. Even some of the better Shimanos on newer bikes I have don't feel as smooth or service as easily as the old Sun Tours. I think these parts would've been a good buy in their time.

I will still say I like these Sun Tour friction shifters better than the newer Shimano index shifters. Even some of the better Shimanos on newer bikes I have don't feel as smooth or service as easily as the old Sun Tours. I think these parts would've been a good buy in their time.

Quite a few in the 70's felt that Suntour was the equal of or better than their Italian counterpart.

The Dia-Compe brakes are nice as well. They are reliable and brake well. The extension levers are a bit weak from a mechanical standpoint but they work smoothly as well. The regular handles in the drops are nice as well. My only gripe is that the regular levers are in the drops (don't use them that often on the local streets) and the extentions are angled for hands on the top-center section (poor steering control there though). I tend to ride with my hands on the top of the bar but on the sides above the drops. I can reach the sides of the extension levers, but they're not as good as the handles in the drops. The Sun Tour levers are all-metal and located on the stem so they're within reach too. Not the most up-to-date shifter position but they work well enough I guess.

The Sun Tour levers are all-metal and located on the stem so they're within reach too. Not the most up-to-date shifter position but they work well enough I guess.

I think stem mounted shifters get a bum rap. I've got Dt and stem shifters and prefer the stem mounts for city riding.

hmmm I'll check the links and archives for it. THe front is a Sun Tour "Spirt" (did they mis-spell 'spirit' or is it 'spirt"). Both say "Maeda" on the back.I've got a front Derailleur that also says "spirt." Very odd.

Here are the SunTour Rear Derailleurs (http://www.yellowjersey.org/stour80a.html), and here are the front derailleurs (http://www.yellowjersey.org/stour80b.html).

I've got a front Derailleur that also says "spirt." Very odd.

Here are the SunTour Rear Derailleurs (http://www.yellowjersey.org/stour80a.html), and here are the front derailleurs (http://www.yellowjersey.org/stour80b.html).


Hmm that chart spells the rear one "honer". More "Engrish" as they say, it seems. heh