Originally Posted by
Reynolds 531
I cannot be the only one who has bought one component, and then built an entire bike around it.
I have finally purchased an item I have been fascinated by, since I first laid eyes on it. (continued after picture V )
I need a suitable Japanese 1982ish frame for this Gruppo, while I assemble the rest of the parts "
I was fascinated by the Shimano-equipped aero bikes BITD. They stood out in a sea of otherwise cookie-cutter Campagnolo-equipped race bikes. That didn’t mean it worked any better… the racers knew what worked and didn’t feel the need for a wholesale change.
If I were in your position, I would look for a Lotus or possibly Zunow frame. The “aero” tubing frames are very very rare but putting that crank on a round-tubed frame fits within your parameters. Maybe round out your build with period Dura-Ace EX (not AX) would hit the right note… the race bike whose owner wanted to try this aero stuff but didn’t want to step up to full AX kit.
Info from that period:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/shimano1982/