Classic & Vintage - Free Spirit roadie with Dura Ace?

I went to the flea market looking for the Crescent that was no longer there. Something did catch my eye, though. I saw some odd looking brakes on an old beige With red wrap Free spirit road bike. It was an old centerpull type like an old Diacompe or Schwinn. It had a different design though without visible pivot bolts, though. I thought I was seeing things, but both the levers and the brakes themselves clearly said Dura Ace. I searched Google, but could not find the exact model. This was a 1975 to about 1985 bike, and the wrap was old faded see through vinyl, so it looked to be at least as old as the bike. Maybe it was just badly weathered?,,,,,BD

I went to the flea market looking for the Crescent that was no longer there. Something did catch my eye, though. I saw some odd looking brakes on an old beige With red wrap Free spirit road bike. It was an old centerpull type like an old Diacompe or Schwinn. It had a different design though without visible pivot bolts, though. I thought I was seeing things, but both the levers and the brakes themselves clearly said Dura Ace. I searched Google, but could not find the exact model. This was a 1975 to about 1985 bike, and the wrap was old faded see through vinyl, so it looked to be at least as old as the bike. Maybe it was just badly weathered?,,,,,BD

Did ya buy it?

1982/83 Shimano Dura-Ace AX

http://www14.plala.or.jp/numatacycle/00010100.P1010059.JPG

Nope, not it. Was there an older style than that? Nope. didn't buy it......yet, lol....,,,,,BD

I went to the flea market looking for the Crescent that was no longer there. Something did catch my eye, though. I saw some odd looking brakes on an old beige With red wrap Free spirit road bike. It was an old centerpull type like an old Diacompe or Schwinn. It had a different design though without visible pivot bolts, though. I thought I was seeing things, but both the levers and the brakes themselves clearly said Dura Ace. I searched Google, but could not find the exact model. This was a 1975 to about 1985 bike, and the wrap was old faded see through vinyl, so it looked to be at least as old as the bike. Maybe it was just badly weathered?,,,,,BD

And did it have Dura-Ace brake levers with aero-styled suicide extensions? An early Dura-Ace touring group came like this.

-Kurt

The brakes were squarish looking, with the name across the top idented in the aluminum. The suicide/idiot levers, same thing? These were pretty non descript. No ball ends or anything. Kind of just an aluminum bar with an angle cut end. Not very long either The hoods had no covers, and I believe they were non aero. cables coming out of the hoods, not going under the wrap. I could be mistaken on the aero hoods though.,,,,BD

Found the brakes!! This is them. Nearly perfect shape, and could be polished out easily. The bike, $10. Should I buy or not? I am going to pull the brakes off, and trash the rest anyway?,,,,BD


http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Japan/shimano/Shimano_DA_Centerpull.htm

For $10 you can't go wrong.

Found the brakes!! This is them. Nearly perfect shape, and could be polished out easily. The bike, $10. Should I buy or not? I am going to pull the brakes off, and trash the rest anyway?,,,,BD


http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Japan/shimano/Shimano_DA_Centerpull.htm
Buy it and give me the rest of the parts, I'm builting up a free spirit so it would be helpful.

Buy it and give me the rest of the parts, I'm builting up a free spirit so it would be helpful.

Man.... I just gave a Free Spirit away. It was like new, too. Sorry!!

Man.... I just gave a Free Spirit away. It was like new, too. Sorry!!
Well if it went to somewhere good no prob.
That is unless you lived in sacto, in which case I would have picked it up. :p

Well, if you want to pay the shipping, and a little for packing, I can send it to you. Might cost three times the cost of the bike though.,,,,BD

Well if it went to somewhere good no prob.
That is unless you lived in sacto, in which case I would have picked it up. :p

Actually, I live over by Mt Diablo in the East Bay. But I gave it to a co-worker for his wife, and he lives in Sacramento. :D

What kind of parts do you need? I have loads of low end derailluers, a good pile of center-pull brakes, and other misc bits.

Nope, not it. Was there an older style than that? Nope. didn't buy it......yet, lol....,,,,,BD
And you didn't learn the Cardinal rule of flea market buying. Tisk, tisk, tisk. :)

If you think you MIGHT want it, buy it. Coz it won't be there when you go back.

The vendors at flea markets usually do three or four sales a week, someone is going to snag it up.

Nope. didn't buy it......yet, lol....,,,,,BD

Didn't you learn something the last time? IT'S GONE! Probably.

Been there three consecutive weeks so far. It has flat tires, you know that makes it a bad bike in this neighborhood. It can cost $0.50, but no one will buy it if the tires are flat, lol.,,,,BD

F. L. W.

:)

It can cost $0.50, but no one will buy it if the tires are flat, lol.,,,,BD

Including you, apparently:eek:

FLW means what? I was just commenting that brand didn't matter here. They judge a good bike by if the tires hold air. It barely even has to stop.,,,,BD

You know I'm just teasing you, right? If I found something for $5 (or whatever) that said Dura Ace on it anywhere, it would come out of the shop with me on the spot.

I know. I will break and get it this weekend most likely. Oh man. I should take the tools with me to remove the brakes. I can just imagine the look of disbelief if I handed him the $10, took the brakes off, and walked away.,,,,BD

FLW = Famous Last Words :D

Actually, I live over by Mt Diablo in the East Bay. But I gave it to a co-worker for his wife, and he lives in Sacramento. :D

What kind of parts do you need? I have loads of low end derailluers, a good pile of center-pull brakes, and other misc bits.
Not sure if I need anything specifically, but the back rim is very warped.

I know. I will break and get it this weekend most likely. Oh man. I should take the tools with me to remove the brakes. I can just imagine the look of disbelief if I handed him the $10, took the brakes off, and walked away.,,,,BD
No!
You need to give me the rest of the stuff!

Okay, but you're paying shipping, correct? It's a steel bike of course, so it may weigh a ton. I think I have a box to fit it?,,,,BD

Okay, but you're paying shipping, correct? It's a steel bike of course, so it may weigh a ton. I think I have a box to fit it?,,,,BD
Sorry, I didn't specify, I don't want the frame, just the parts.
Actualy, if you buy the bike I'll pay for the shipping on the parts, but otherwise don't worry about it, if it's too much hassle no problem.
And I just got another bike w/ parts so do what you were going to do, I might buy it later but not now.

Parts as in wheels also?,,,,BD

Parts as in wheels also?,,,,BD
It would probably be expensive to ship those, you aren't in NOR~CAL right?

Nope, SO Tex, lol.,,,,BD