Very strange looking Suntour Derailleur...HELP
08-23-16, 05:12 PM
#1
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Very strange looking Suntour Derailleur...HELP
I just found this old Suntour rear changer today and can't find any info on it. Has anyone seen one of these before and what is it?
08-23-16, 05:23 PM
#2
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I think it's one of their chain pull type. Here's a helpful link to get you started.
SunTour derailleurs - pull-chain models
SunTour derailleurs - pull-chain models
08-23-16, 05:27 PM
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Wow, now THAT'S old....post a pic of the backside, please.
08-23-16, 05:48 PM
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I think it's one of their chain pull type. Here's a helpful link to get you started.
SunTour derailleurs - pull-chain models
SunTour derailleurs - pull-chain models
08-23-16, 06:01 PM
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I'm not certain, but does your first pic at the top show the word "Taiwan" a couple of lines below "Suntour"?
08-23-16, 06:14 PM
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I like the really basic simplicity, reminds me of the Huret Svelto (?) but too bad they riveted the cage together, it's not serviceable (except by drill-out).
08-23-16, 06:15 PM
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SunTour Skitter?
08-23-16, 06:52 PM
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Well, I was basically trying to get the OP to check out the website I linked to and investigate for themselves.
08-23-16, 08:35 PM
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In contrast, I love the look of a Cyclone II.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
08-24-16, 08:02 AM
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This is a very curious piece. There is no parallelogram, nor is it piston style. The cage mounts directly to a right angle bend on the single, pivoted arm. Consequently the cage would not remain parallel to the freewheel cogs but swing in a horizontal arc. This suggests it is for a very narrow freewheels, either 2 or 3 speed. It also looks like it may be designed to be located forward of the axle on the chain stay, in the style of the Nivex and Cyclo Standard.
I was also wondering if it might be just a chain tension device for a front derailleur used in conjunction with an internally geared hub. The swing arm would allow you set the chain line. Yet it has a spring on the pivot arm and stops for a cable, whuich would not be required on such a device. It obviously has missing parts and if these were present they would undoubtedly provide more more insight.
A chain stay mount would seem to suggest something very old, yet the pivot bracket appears to say "MAEDA IND". The company was known originally as Maeda Iron Works, changing to Maeda Industries sometime during 1966-1970, based on literature in my files. Maeda did seem to have a penchant for locating the derailleur body forward of the axle, under the chain stay. They would do it with the Holeshot, Luxury, S-1 and SX-100.
I was also wondering if it might be just a chain tension device for a front derailleur used in conjunction with an internally geared hub. The swing arm would allow you set the chain line. Yet it has a spring on the pivot arm and stops for a cable, whuich would not be required on such a device. It obviously has missing parts and if these were present they would undoubtedly provide more more insight.
A chain stay mount would seem to suggest something very old, yet the pivot bracket appears to say "MAEDA IND". The company was known originally as Maeda Iron Works, changing to Maeda Industries sometime during 1966-1970, based on literature in my files. Maeda did seem to have a penchant for locating the derailleur body forward of the axle, under the chain stay. They would do it with the Holeshot, Luxury, S-1 and SX-100.
08-24-16, 11:14 AM
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The great thing about this forum is that you see something new almost every day. Thanks for posting that derailer (or should that be 'railer'?).
08-24-16, 02:52 PM
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I forwarded some of these photos to Michael Sweatman at Disraeli Gears. It turns out that he has one basically identical to this (and his doesn't seem to have any pieces that this one doesn't have - some I'm not sure anything's missing). He doesn't have a model name for it though, because he has not been able to find it in any of their catalogs. It does say Suntour and Taiwan - which would put it likely in the early 90s when Suntour was merged with SR and moved to Taiwan. It also has a date code on it which would indicate about '93. He says that it mounts ahead of the dropout, below the chain stay -- somewhat like the S-1. SR/Suntour also makes backwards-facing Neos models for Dahon folding bikes, so it seems possible that it would be for folders. It's likely to be only for 2 or 3 gears, and Sweatman said he believed it was for children's bikes, and possibly some really cheap folding bikes. He has a really cheap, plastic 2-position shift lever that goes with his, so that would seem to confirm the gearing limitation.
My guess is that - given the really cheap and crude stamped construction, this was not meant to be exported outside of their home market. But clearly, a few got out there. Heck, who would import something like this? In any case - it is a curious find.
My guess is that - given the really cheap and crude stamped construction, this was not meant to be exported outside of their home market. But clearly, a few got out there. Heck, who would import something like this? In any case - it is a curious find.
