Having gotten the Trek 460 on the road and all the bugs worked out, it's now time to start working on the bike's final form, the "European Failure" bike. I've already got the Helicomatic wheels in place, the Mavic 631 crankset only needs the bottom bracket to install, and I'm watching a couple of possibilities on eBay. Ditto some Gipiemme brakes.

The next step is the drivetrain. I've already got the planned rear dérailleur, an obviously late production Simplex.





Unfortunately, other than assuming its post-SunTour-patent (which would make it mid-80's?), I've got no information whatsoever on it. The only marking on the derailleur body is on the backside under the mounting bolt - '22021'. At the moment, I need two bits of information:

1. What model is it and roughly what are the years of production? I'm assuming this is one of the last models Simplex produced. I've seen, and unsuccessfully bid on, derailleurs that are the same layout as the Super LJ but in this cosmetic style, and about a year and a half ago I bid on, but lost, a front/rear/levers set in white (plastic?) that I was under the impression was later.

2. (More importantly) What are the matching front dérailleurs and shift levers? I'm guessing that the beloved retrofrictions are the proper time period for this, but the only levers I've ever seen for sale are for brazed on mounts, and the 460 needs a bolt-on strap setup.

Any assistance anyone can give will be greatly appreciated. This is something that definitely falls in the absolutely lost years of cycling for me.