Aaaaaargh!!
 

I took the Masi out for a brief test spin around the neighborhood this afternoon. What a sweet-riding machine! Similar to the Bianchi, but seemingly more sprightly. It's a good fit for me too, which was the whole point.

Unfortunately I got only 2 blocks from the house and heard the chain acting up. It's flopping around loosey-goosey. So I limped home. The RD was working when I rode with it on the Bianchi over to Harris Cyclery two weeks ago, and when I moved it over to the Masi last week.

On further review, which is to say on dis-assembly of the RD, the ruling on the field stands. There is no irrefutable evidence to overturn the ruling that the Cyclone's pulley cage spring has broken. :cry:

So here's the question. This is a Mk 1 Cyclone. Would a spring from another Suntour RD such as a V-series work? (I'd hate to ruin a good V-series derailleur though.) I know the Mk2 Cyclone used a unique spring. But it's been a long time since I took apart a V of any sort and all mine are currently in use.

Would any of you have a spare spring? Or know of a good source for one?

Ouch, Sorry Jim!
Can't help with advice, but I do remember someone posted here who had their Cyclone GT cage twisted by their chain. Maybe he'll sell you the carcass.

The Gods are punishing you for putting a Japanese RD on a Masi. Say a dozen "Hail Tullios," do a couple "Stations of the Torch," and prey to St. Faliero for forgiveness. A donation to the Bikingshearer Retirement Fund would not be looked upon unfavorably, either.:thumb:

+1.

I will gladly demonstrate sufficient contrition if someone could supply me with a good Campy GT-capable, which is to say 32T, derailleur, preferably one that is period-appropriate for mid-70's. For stylistic consistency I will need a FD too and clamp-on DT levers.

Phew! I was worried there for a moment the freewheel I sent you failed! It is mounted to this bike? Correct?

No and yes and yes. No the freewheel didn't fail, yes it is on this bike, and yes you are correct.

(I'm glad the RD chose now to break instead of when I was out on the road 25 miles from home. I rode maybe 15-20 miles with it on the Bianchi, and it could have stranded then.)

What youse need there, pal, is one-a them double-pivot Ralleys! (spoken as Archie Bunker...).

It's hard to say whats period-correct, Jim, because you and I might be the only people who've tried to put sport-tour gearing on a Masi! Personally I'd point you toward a Nuovo Record front mech with a Campy Rally or Huret Duopar in the rear. Both are very durable. The Rally doesn't shift as well as the Duo by a large margin. Or if you want to stay Euro and go more modern, the Campy Racing T is wide range, slant parallelogram, not too dear, 8-speed vintage, and shifts in the same class as a slant para modern rear mechs.

Other odd vintage options: dual pivot Simplex, long-cage Huret Allvit, long cage Huret Jubilee, Campy Gran Turismo, and remember the Rally had three versions. If you look these all up, few shift as well as modern. The Duo and the old SunTours are standouts.

If you could live with a 26 in the rear and a 10 or 12 tooth spread in front, I'd say put a Campy Nuovo Record on front and rear.

Ditto on everything Road Fan has said.

Jim had me build the freewheel with as low a gear as I could find for him (he originally was hoping I had a 34 tooth cog).

Many of us suffer from this same plight: We want to ride a spirited vintage race bike, but the challenge of the hills, our age, careers which don't demand much physically, etc., makes it impossible to keep the race bike equipped with a 52-42 double and a 14-21 freewheel. The truth is hard to bear. I know I can't. Just look at how I've geared my Paramounts.

At least we are still riding, and riding vintage bikes which have not been hacked, drewed, and fixified!

Sancto Tulio et Sancto Faliero, mea maxima cupla. Forgive me for I have sinned, but I am a mere mortal and not worthy, which is to say I am incapable, of riding many of our hills with just a 52T/49T paired to a 14-26. I confess your wonderful Nuovo Record derailleur requires a strength of spirit to which I aspire but cannot reach.

Heh! You're the guy who passed me going down the Chicken-Farmer hill, apparently having pedalled for part of it while drafting me. Nevertheless, I respond "Amen."

Who wants to bet me that this Rally ends up over $100? Even though the rear cage is installed wrong!

Here is my '74 Masi with a 1st gen Rally. Campy triple conversion in the front, with a NR front der. Shifts very well with Simplex retrofriction shifters.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/P1040265.jpg

If you are patient, you can still find gen 1 Cyclone at a reasonable price on ebay. Like everything on ebay, there is tremendous variance in sales price. I picked up a set of derailleurs, and shift levers, in excellent condition on ebay a couple of months ago for $30.

Bummer about the bad luck spell Jim :(

I'll take that bet. ;)

Well, I'm not much help here seeing how I've got mostly IGH bikes, but I do have this if it's any help. It was pulled off a Raleigh Sprite that's being converted to a SA AW. It looks pretty low end to me. What that said, I know little about derailleurs and what I do know, I'm desperately trying to forget! ;) I believe it will clean up pretty nicely. If you want it, it's yours for the asking.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6...b39707fa_b.jpg
Suntour - 1 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6...52922737_b.jpg
Suntour - 2 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6...387cca3d_b.jpg
Suntour - 3 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

I'll rummage in the boneyard at work today for any first-gen Suntour that might have a spring. Details in a few hours.

Photogravity, I'll buy that RD for $10 just so it doesn't end up on a Masi. I don't have the reverence for Italians like the zealots here, but that ain't right, man.

Wasn't Henry III making long cages for NR rd's so they could be used for a wider range of gearing?

It must be worth quite a bit if you're offering $10 for it. ;) Actually, I'm up in Jim's neck of the woods to retrieve that tandem so I figure I could hand it off then. Still.... $10? Hmmm. It's tempting! :p

Jim, if you can take the flack from the zealots here, I have large box full of first generation cyclone rear der.

You never know how these things come into being, but here is a (albeit brief) description of a Masi with a mix of Campy and Suntour Cyclone.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/ret...si-161235.html

Wow, such an outpouring of responses. Thank you all. I have my eye on a Mk1 Cyclone GT right now. I have other options too for temporary solutions. I can't say I want to spend big bucks on a Campy uless it is really special.

Bikemore, I may just drop you a phone call or email shortly.

In the ideal world an inexpensive Suntour will have the same return spring which I can cannibalize to fix mine without ruining another good one. That GT looks like a possible candidate!