Erwin8r

So, um, yeah, I got N+1 pretty bad--'cause just look at these awesome calipers! And after all the ravings about the quality of Miyatas. This is my first intentionally-Japanese acquisition, or my first foray into Japanese high-quality steel-framed bikes. Did I mention those brakes are uber-cool?!?! They're like Delta's, only cooler... Sheesh, it is an affliction. I promised myself I'd stop after the Olmo I picked up a couple weeks ago...

So, I'll need a new sew-up for the front, but it is otherwise in ready-to-ride condition. Oh, and I popped off that modern Spesh saddle and mounted a white Selle Royal with rivets.

I'll take better pics at some point (these were the seller's pics...).

Erwin8r

And the obligatory bottom bracket pic with serial numbers:



BTW, anyone have an idea what hoods might fit DA AX levers?

Wildwood 

Yep, that's the affliction.

Erwin8r

Anyone know if I can use other hoods for the levers?

Classtime 

Very cool bike. I saw that CL post and thought, "If someone my size was looking for a road bike, that is the one I would recommend." I put Dia-compe levers on my son's 600 bike because I could not find hoods.

bikemig 

It's clearly contagious; you get it by hanging around BF,

Slash5

They look boxy enough that Weinmann replacement hoods should work.
See this thread https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...al-levers.html

Miele Man

Dura Ace AX prdates Campy Delta an in my opinion the Dura Ace AX stop a lot better.

You do know that the little Allen head screw under the brake lever and on the back of the brake body is to adjust the reach of the brake lever with?

I got a screaming deal on 5 pairs of Dura Ace AX brake shoes for only $2.50 a pair. i grabbed all they had as i had a set of the DA AX calipers and knew I was going to get a complete DA AX groupset some day.

Cheers

Erwin8r

Yup. I saw it on CL, and just couldn't resist... I needed it like I need another hole in my head, but I guess I'm preaching to the choir here. lol.

Took a look at those. They just might work. If I can't find the AX variants, I may have to go this route.

Nice. Yeah, they're cool, and appeal very much to my mechanical nerd side, so, they're here. Nice score on the pads--NOS or newly manufactured? The rubber gets old, ya'know. You might have to share

TireLever-07

Those are the Shimano Parapull brakes. There was a recent thread here on those Shimano AX Dynadrive pedals & cranksets. The aero bikes were 1st with then new aero brake levers.

T-Mar

FYI, despite the fact that it was built in 1981, this is a 1982 model. The serial number is very high, indicating that it was built very late in the year. Also, the 'M' seat tube decal wasn't introduced until the 1982 model year. Finally, the 1200 model didn't exist in 1981, at least not in North America.

While Dura-Ace AX was not the stock offering, it is not incorrect, as it is period correct and the 1200 was offered as a bare frame. I'm definitely in the minority but I'm very fond of Dura-Ace Ax and was disappointed when they they went back to a more traditional group with New Dura-Ace. In hindsight, it was probably the right move given that they were trying to more firmly establish themselves in professional cycling.

Erwin8r

Thanks, T-Mar. I'm rather fond of the "uniqueness" of the AX stuff--and the fact that it's a complete gruppo. I'm thinking the only thing that may change soon is the seat post (very badly scratched below the Seatclamp area and it needs to come up a bit for me) and maybe the rims (the spoke nipples are somewhat stuck and I'd prefer clinchers if I changed them). This is a darn good excuse to finally learn how to lace up a wheelset. TH hubs are AX, and tres-cool too, so they're definitely staying.

T-Mar

These are really good hubs for a first wheel build. The Direction 6 feature, whereby the flange is recessed around every other hole, defines the proper spoke direction and enables all the spokes to be inserted from the inside of the flange. This greatly facilitates wheel building for the novice and the design even results in a stronger wheel.

Many people assume this design originated with the AX groups but it actually appeared on Dura-Ace EX in 1980, a year before AX.

dddd

I'm also in need of a pair of AX Dura-Ace hoods for my Polchlopek TT aero bike.

I'm apt to change the levers if I can't find any, but wondering if anybody else offered aero levers in the 1982 period(?).

BTW, mine have other hoods adapted, Aero hoods that really don't fit or look good.

It would be a lot of work for someone to knock off the original hoods, but there's always hope, right? I even thought about painting on some Plasti-Dip.

Erwin8r

Dddd, please keep us posted if you find some...

Miele Man

You can really polish up that seatpost if you used various grits of wet/dry paper, plenty of elbow grease (time too) and finally a good polish compound to protect it.


Regarding those AX hubs. According to the documents I have, Shimano stated to use No.15 gauge spokes (Dia. 1.8mm) when building with those hubs.

Cheers