Classic & Vintage - How About Some Dura Ace 7402 Loving?

I know Classic Campagnolo, or even older Huret, Simplex are the sweet hearts around here, however, how about some loving for one of the most surgical precise, fastest shifting down tube systems in the west? Or would that be East :D

With out a doubt the Dura Ace 7402, 8 speed system takes that crown. It shifts so fast, and snaps in each gear with so much authority, I really feel I need to build a bike around this system. Never (in my memory) has this system hunted for a gear aimlessly, or rattled in between gears because of a mis-shift. It's simply flawless in execution. The DT shifters with the short cable runs just seem to have much more positive feel over today's vaguer STI and Ergo systems. Granted the newer system make shifting so much easier, it's an after thought ;)

If it's old school performance it's self isn't enough, the utilitarian and simplistic elegance of the multi finish, grey tone, satin and polish surfaces, harken to an era when function was just as critical as form. The brake lever are some of the best feeling I have ever had the pleasure of squeezing. I think it's primarily due to the smooth, yet satiny feel of the levers finish, they feel great in hand.

I have been scouting for some older Aluminum or Steel frames from the era that I could use these parts on. I have the complete groupo, and would love to build a bicycle based on this. Maybe a Vintage Vitus, Marinoni, Fuji or Klein... I would love a early aluminum lugged carbon Trek, or even an aluminum Trek. Something to throw it on :)


http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5656/da1pd9.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8329/da2uo8.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5615/da3rk1.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4019/da4ef5.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6153/da5kx4.jpg

viperz, you are my favourite for some good old bike pr0n at the office :)
When I arrive at work @ 09.00 in my timezone you guys just went to sleep after piling up a lot of new topics for me the next day (which is the same time). Thx for my good headstart again :)

And yes build a bike around it!!! You know you can!

Agree Viper. Those 8 speed Dura Ace Derailleurs were great. I've still got one kicking around (it's on one of my fathers bikes at the moment), still going strong.

Contender for best derailleur ever along with the Suntour Superbe Pro

viperz, you are my favourite for some good old bike pr0n at the office :)
When I arrive at work @ 09.00 in my timezone you guys just went to sleep after piling up a lot of new topics for me the next day (which is the same time). Thx for my good headstart again :)

And yes build a bike around it!!! You know you can!


Thanks Leunkstar, glad to be of assistance ;)



Classic, I would have to agree!

ViperZ, there's a woman in my TNT triathlon group who rides a lugged CF Trek. What a cool bike. It's almost like a transitional species.

Out of all the frames you mention, I would opt for the Marinoni, I've owned three and they are wonderful frames. For 12 years I rode a re-badged, 1991 Marinoni SL with 8 speed Dura Ace. While I have run it with down tube shifters, I preferred STI. The 7400 series is marvelous equipment. Despite heavy mileage, I never had to replace a bearing race and the shifting is still quite crisp.

Of course, the big prize would be to find a 1988 Serotta frame, repaint it and Huffy decals on it. Then you could have a replica of a 1988, 7-Eleven team bicycle.

ViperZ, there's a woman in my TNT triathlon group who rides a lugged CF Trek. What a cool bike. It's almost like a transitional species.


Cool Caloso... I remember when I bought my 5000 in 89, my close friend bought a 2300 (I think), it was braided carbon tubing with white painted lugs, equipped with Shimano 600, it was a fantastic looking bike.


T-Mar, a Marinoni would be nice, or one of those obscure Italian's like a Zulo, or that Huffy/Serotta would be great! Dreaming of course as I have to finish my Italian Job first, however if the right frame comes along... (I'll have to hide it from the missus) ;)

I never had this series of DA. The first picture and all the description makes me want it.

Uh-oh.

I never had this series of DA. The first picture and all the description makes me want it.

Uh-oh.


I think you'll need one eventually :D

I concur with the general sentiment of this thread. The Italy-obsessed market puts lovers of fine Japanese bicycle components in a very fortunate position at this time.

I may have something very on-topic to show next week, but in a much (~20 years) earlier, 6 speed version.

- Joel

Just lost out to a pressed alu Vitus with full DA 7402. (Looked sooo good on the polished alu).This thread is right on time.:beer:

Now I need some DA love to make my new retro-fab Miyata Alumicross All-Japanese retro-tech goodness!:D

I picked up a set of front and rear DA derailers at a yard sale put them on my Fiori I agree very crisp shifting.

ok, I can get that, but where is the Suntour love?
marty

I know Classic Campagnolo, or even older Huret, Simplex are the sweet hearts around here, however, how about some loving for one of the most surgical precise, fastest shifting down tube systems in the west? Or would that be East :D

With out a doubt the Dura Ace 7402, 8 speed system takes that crown. It shifts so fast, and snaps in each gear with so much authority, I really feel I need to build a bike around this system. Never (in my memory) has this system hunted for a gear aimlessly, or rattled in between gears because of a mis-shift. It's simply flawless in execution. The DT shifters with the short cable runs just seem to have much more positive feel over today's vaguer STI and Ergo systems. Granted the newer system make shifting so much easier, it's an after thought ;)

If it's old school performance it's self isn't enough, the utilitarian and simplistic elegance of the multi finish, grey tone, satin and polish surfaces, harken to an era when function was just as critical as form. The brake lever are some of the best feeling I have ever had the pleasure of squeezing. I think it's primarily due to the smooth, yet satiny feel of the levers finish, they feel great in hand.

I have been scouting for some older Aluminum or Steel frames from the era that I could use these parts on. I have the complete groupo, and would love to build a bicycle based on this. Maybe a Vintage Vitus, Marinoni, Fuji or Klein... I would love a early aluminum lugged carbon Trek, or even an aluminum Trek. Something to throw it on :)

That's the stuff. I have that exact group on my Serotta. I would KILL for a matching seatpost in NOS condition...

That's the stuff. I have that exact group on my Serotta. I would KILL for a matching seatpost in NOS condition...

That is a gorgeous post you are seeking. I had one of the fluted 1987 DA ones on my Klein.


Marty, Lets see the Suntour stuff :)

Marty, Lets see the Suntour stuff :)

I wish, last suntour gruppo I had is long gone, and don't I regret it.
I have a trek 770 (83/4 vintage) that I'm thinking of hanging superbe group
on, once I actually find one!.

I went from Campy NR in the early 80s to C-Record and Croce d'Aune in the later 80s. With Super Record brake calipers to be sure, I was warned by the rep of C-Record (and the price!). Still, braking was awful. (be patient pls) My hands cramped.
Then I got a bike with Dura Ace 7401 (probably almost the same as 7402). Wow, what a difference! Positive shifting, positive braking with great modulation (yes, it's the return spring). So, my bikes after that had DA (9-speed, downtube, I still ride that stuff) shifting, but Campy Record dual pivot brake calipers and carbon brake levers. Pure eye candy! Form over function! Actually, functionally these Campy parts are great of course, a long cry from the C-Record (remember Synchro shifters?) days.

Making a build now with some 74xx brake components. Looks good. I have'em with white lever hoods. Not an easy thing to find these days. The rest's gonna be campa and of course. Suntour superbe pro friction levers (If I can get an other pair).

The Miyata has Suntour on it now, but not Superbe. The high end Suntour kit is so hard to find complete. dolface is the only one I know that has the complete grouppo.

That gear belongs on the Team Miyata tt frame in my barn. i already have a 7401 FD and crankset.....:D
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