How do you run the cable on a shimano 600 DX front derailleur? Has this crazy sideways pull, not sure where to run the cable. Thanks.

Google image results show that ax derailers used a mostly standard routing under the bb and up to the derailer, from there you should find a groove on the backside of the clamp (visible in picture below) and from there it runs through the pinch bolt with the cable pointing out towards the front of the bike.

I assume you mean AX instead of DX? That a pretty wild group. I know it, but have never used this group on any of my own personal bikes. l found this pic on the web, which appears to show the cable routing from the front.

https://b1.rimg.tw/taiwanbike/6da3a2ac.jpg

This video may also be of use:

I figured out it comes in the front, I just can't figure out how to get there. The derailleur pulls to the frame so it needs to come from behind to the front but how?

Check out the video I linked above at about 2:02. The cable seems to come up from behind the seat tube, follows the channel behind the seat tube, routes through the fd between the swivel arm and the fd body, around the pinch bolt, then back toward the rear wheel.

It's as if the braze-on version of this derailleur is missing a critical piece of its anatomy. No clamp, so no channel to guide the cable behind the tube. Separate piece maybe?

Another problem, the arm that the pinch bolt is on is hitting the braze on tab on the frame. It's not letting the derailleur swing out far enough to move the chain on the big ring. I might pitch this and buy a conventional derailleur.

I just... my head... I don't understand. I'm subscribing to this because I want to know how whenever you guys figure it out.

Good call. I hadn't noticed the lack of channel. Surely Shimano must have thought of this, no? Further, I notice sloar's braze-on unit is different from the one in the video in some subtle ways. Notice the topmost rounded part of the front derailleur that contacts the frame braze-on (I wish I knew the proper nomenclature), it's different from the rounded section of the clamp-on unit where it meets the clamp (more angled round at the end). If designing a braze-on mounted FD, wouldn't Shimano account for the cable routing? Have you tried simply running it through that gap between the fixed fd body (below the limit adjuster screw) and the swivel arm below it, then out & around the pinch bolt?

Also, you say the arm strikes the braze-on tab. Maybe a picture of that contact point? Just a thought: If you start with the lower limit lower, will it give you extra range on the high end? Also, failing the rest, it's possible some judicious filing can gave a bit of necessary clearance to get int he big ring.

@carbomb:follow? (not sure I'm helping either, to be honest.)

From what I'm seeing, it looks like the cable will have to change direction rather abruptly. I can't see how it will do that, nor can I imagine how that's a good idea. I hope you solve it. I found lots of pics of these online, but very few mounted. Maybe everyone is stumped.

The original braze-on had a cable stop particular to the AX, I don't remember how the clamp-on version worked but it must have had the cable stop built in. Here's an Ebay listing showing the braze-on:
Dura Ace Braze on Part AX Model 7310 Shimano Front Derailleur Vintage Bike | eBay

^That price! Yours for $161 (save 15%). Normally I don't get into the whole pb*bikes/market value debate, but that's bordering on extortion.

First pic is without tension, second is with tension but won't switch to the big ring.

19 euro here in Holland.
Shimano Dura Ace AX braze-on part frontmech.

So that piece fits between the fd and the braze-on tab, which also explains why your arm keeps hitting the tab.

FD's are such simple devices generally, I don't see why they needed to try to make this one, um, better.

Well crap, that solves that problem. I guess it's time to go shopping for another derailleur. Thanks for the help.

The good news is you can pick up a 600 braze-on FD on ebay cheap. Sold listings show them going for around $10. Or 99¢ with $8 shipping.

Shimano 600 Double Front Derailleur Braze On | eBay

I'm not in a rush, the bikes to small and it's going up for sale.

Cool color. What is it?

Rossin built Miele