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Early 3Rensho Find! - Advice Requested

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Early 3Rensho Find! - Advice Requested

Old 12-21-21, 07:22 PM
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CriticalThought
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Early 3Rensho Find! - Advice Requested

So an early 3Rensho Super Record Export frame came home with me today. I wasn't looking for one but had heard the stories and knew of the cult following so when one just showed up at a really good price just minutes from me, I had to take a look. Original paint & decals... pretty rough for wear but very straight so hard to ask for more than that since I'm guessing it's very early 80s. It's also pretty near my size.

I'm pretty ignorant beyond what I've gleaned online. I understand that theses were specced out differently depending on the preference of whomever ordered them. I'd love suggestions on how to build it out for regular riding. I'm thinking I'd like to build it out with Japanese parts that are period correct. It has a Shimano 600 headset and a Campagnolo bottom bracket as found (along with a lot of dirt).

What groupset should I go with? Dura-Ace 7400? Educate me! Any experts have a better sense of when this was made? I think the serial number is roughly A400.

Will verify and post better photos soon (after I've cleaned her up). In the mean time please advise me ... help me fantasize about a period correct dream build!

Seems like these road bikes aren't nearly as sought after as the track frames. Is that the case?

Arigato, neh.













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Old 12-21-21, 07:43 PM
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SwimmerMike 
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Great find!
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Old 12-21-21, 07:46 PM
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shoota 
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Ugh, equal parts jealous and happy for you!

For rideability my vote is either tricolor or DA 7400.
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Old 12-21-21, 09:12 PM
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unworthy1
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Yoshi Konno was an Italophile, so you'd do no wrong going with Campy but IMO this should have top-end JP components: DA or SunTour Superbe
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Old 12-21-21, 09:26 PM
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Looks very similar to a close out frame set I saw in Columbus Ohio in 1989
was languishing $600
I was on a business trip, if I only had to fly home I would have purchased it.
same red and graphics.
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Old 12-21-21, 10:23 PM
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I'd go Suntour just to be different
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Old 12-22-21, 01:51 AM
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SR would look very very nice on there.
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Old 12-22-21, 03:47 AM
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Suntour Superbe for the win.
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Old 12-22-21, 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Vonruden
Suntour Superbe for the win.

This.

Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.

(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
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Old 12-22-21, 10:20 AM
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Beautiful!!

You are going to love it! I was told mine was an 82 (A250) and it was originally spec’d with Dura Ace EX. I have 7400 on it and it is my favorite ride right now!


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Old 12-22-21, 10:49 AM
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Thanks all!

Thanks for the pic joluja . Yours is absolutely stunning!

I'm still on the fence about what groupset to use. I found some pics online giving me a sense of what Dura Ace 7400 vs Super Record would look like and both look good. I also like the look of Suntour Superbe (thanks Vonruden & top506 ).

It's a quandary as I'd like to get it on the road obviously, but at the same time I wasn't budgeting for a new bike/build either time-wise or money-wise (amazingly this frame showed up next door for not that much). So I'm probably not goin to have the time to put together any groupset piece by piece in the near future. It sounds like the easiest and least expensive path would be to keep my eye out for something local that's selling that already has a full SR, 7400, or Superbe groupset. The frame and paint and decals are all original and pretty rough, so I don't mind finding a groupset that's equally rough around the edges.

Anyone have any knowledge of what bikes to look out for that might have been specced out that way?

Or even which of those three gruppos is likely to be the least expensive? or easiest to find complete?

I found these pictures online that give me a sense of how she'd look built out with SR or 7400.


Shimano DuraAce 7400







Campagnolo Super Record









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Old 12-22-21, 02:41 PM
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If you’re going to ride this beauty much, either the Suntour Superb or DA 7400 will shift much better than Super Record.
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Old 12-22-21, 04:52 PM
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1st: that's a gorgeous bike. I hope to be that lucky someday.

2nd: it's your bike, put what you like on it

That said, Konno like his Campy, and given its name this one's a no-brainer to me: Super Record. But if you want to stay Japanese, DA would be an excellent choice, but I agree with others who suggest Superbe Pro would be even better. It would be hard to go wrong with any of them. Superbe Pro has got those lovely lines and finish, while SR has that timeless classic race look.
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