Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - ID my Specialized allez 1982 ???

Hi,

I'm Jens from Belgium a cycling tourist and bike freak.
I have a Specialized Allez frame here that i got as a legacy,

here are some pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/jens007/SpecializedAllez#

Please, can somebody tell me some more about the history of the frame. (there is a number in the bracket, 56 i think)

and the headset is from the dura ace EX group

is it a 3rensho ?

i want to repaint and rebuild him.

thanks already

Jens,

I found some info for you; Google "Specialized Allez History" and click on the 1st link. Interesting reading from the original designer of your frame.

In a nutshell... your frame appears to be one of the Yoshi Konno (3 Rensho) framesets, and yes, that's a Dura Ace EX headset with the 'scalloped' alloy
upper race/ locknut combination. I think I still have the Shimano tools to adjust that headset!

Alan :thumb:

Hi,

I'm Jens from Belgium a cycling tourist and bike freak.
I have a Specialized Allez frame here that i got as a legacy,

here are some pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/jens007/SpecializedAllez#

Please, can somebody tell me some more about the history of the frame. (there is a number in the bracket, 56 i think)

and the headset is from the dura ace EX group

is it a 3rensho ?

i want to repaint and rebuild him.

thanks already

Jens, your bike is a 3Rensho.
Here are the details that I think confirm it beyond a doubt:

-The side view of the fork crown, showing the forward offset, confirms this: NO other Allez used this crown, as it was a 3Rensho exclusive.
-It has the earliest decal format, with the "Allez" on the right side of the top tube: while there is an early version that was done by another small builder that used these decals, it would not have had the same fork crown.
-Allez stamped in seatstay cap: The earliest 3Rensho Allez did not have "Allez" stamped in the seatstay caps, but the 2nd group did, around mid 1981 to 1982 most likely. Your seatstay caps are consistent with the 2nd run of 3Rensho Allez.
-Shimano dropouts were used until the 1984 model, when they went to Campagnolo. Chromed Shimano dropouts, like yours, were used on the 3Rensho Allez (the whole for was chromed under the paint. 3Rensho's own bikes from this era generally had chromed forks).
-Your bottom bracket shell is stamped with just the size. Other early Allez bikes had serial numbers. Only the 3Renshos did not use serial numbers.
-Later model 3Rensho Allez had the Medalist emblem stamped on the bottom bracket. I am pretty sure this started around mid-1982 when they changed the decal font and put "Allez" on the down tube. It was there for sure on 1984 model.
-Super thin, long point scalloped lugs, like on your bike, are signs of 3Rensho work as well.

So, you have a 3Rensho built Allez. I would date it to prior to mid 1982.

There were two earlier versions, or production runs:
-One was built by 3Rensho and is identical to your bike other than having blank seatstay caps. I have one of these.
-The other has the same decals, but does not have the offset fork crown. It has serial numbers, and it has tangs extending from the fork crown onto the inner fork legs (3Rensho bikes don't have this). This bike also has decals that call out Tange tubing.

Cheers. (hope the rust cleans up!)

That is very cool and very definitely a 3Rensho. Good luck with it, I would suggest that you bead blast it down to the bare metal so that you can inspect that BB area, it looks pretty rough.

Thankyou dgilber

the restoration is finished now, this is the result :-)
https://picasaweb.google.com/jens007/SpecializedAllez3Rensho#

this is what Tim neenan says about the allez:

Hello Jens,
From the looks of it I think you have one of the most desirable of the original Alles. I believe it was built by Yoshi Konno one of Japans premere builders at that time. His brand was 3 Rensho, meaning "Three Glorious Victories" A reference to the many Kerin racing frames for which he was so noted. The frame is Tange tubing drawn in the same gauge as Columbus SL (.9-.6mm). As I recall they were equiped with Suntour Superb parts but your frame has a Shimano headset and I think there were Shimano bikes as well. It was along time ago and I can't remember exactly.
Best Wishes,
Tim



Jens, your bike is a 3Rensho.
Here are the details that I think confirm it beyond a doubt:

-The side view of the fork crown, showing the forward offset, confirms this: NO other Allez used this crown, as it was a 3Rensho exclusive.
-It has the earliest decal format, with the "Allez" on the right side of the top tube: while there is an early version that was done by another small builder that used these decals, it would not have had the same fork crown.
-Allez stamped in seatstay cap: The earliest 3Rensho Allez did not have "Allez" stamped in the seatstay caps, but the 2nd group did, around mid 1981 to 1982 most likely. Your seatstay caps are consistent with the 2nd run of 3Rensho Allez.
-Shimano dropouts were used until the 1984 model, when they went to Campagnolo. Chromed Shimano dropouts, like yours, were used on the 3Rensho Allez (the whole for was chromed under the paint. 3Rensho's own bikes from this era generally had chromed forks).
-Your bottom bracket shell is stamped with just the size. Other early Allez bikes had serial numbers. Only the 3Renshos did not use serial numbers.
-Later model 3Rensho Allez had the Medalist emblem stamped on the bottom bracket. I am pretty sure this started around mid-1982 when they changed the decal font and put "Allez" on the down tube. It was there for sure on 1984 model.
-Super thin, long point scalloped lugs, like on your bike, are signs of 3Rensho work as well.

So, you have a 3Rensho built Allez. I would date it to prior to mid 1982.

There were two earlier versions, or production runs:
-One was built by 3Rensho and is identical to your bike other than having blank seatstay caps. I have one of these.
-The other has the same decals, but does not have the offset fork crown. It has serial numbers, and it has tangs extending from the fork crown onto the inner fork legs (3Rensho bikes don't have this). This bike also has decals that call out Tange tubing.

Cheers. (hope the rust cleans up!)

Absolutely beautiful! I just acquired a frame almost identical to your frame. It was stored unused for 30 years. Identical except for the decal on the fork.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chemicalbacon/sets/72157633467991388/