The catalogs of Japanese vintage bicycle

The Invitation for Cycling by Mr.Gami

Part 79: Shimano Dura-ace detail version in 1973

Here is "the assembling manual" of the first generation of Dura-ace.
I already introduced the leaflet of Dura-ace 1973 model in the Part 60. This manual will show you the exploded view, parts number, basic knowledge for composing a sports bicycle.
Dura-ace was designed as the first group-set among domestic bicycle parts. I explained about that in the Part 60. Please see it.

Note; In Japan, we don't use the word "group-set"; instead of that we use the word "components parts" or "system component".

The catalog was offered by Mr. H. O

This is the front cover. The character style is more angular than present one.

This is the back cover.

Along with the photograph of team Flandreau that Shimano provided their product to, there was the word "Hand-maid products we threw whole soul into" on the page.

Each product was introduced from this page. Derailleur appeared first. The model was not Dura-ace yet, but Crane which was already announced in those days.

Front derailleur and chain-wheel were introduced in this page.
The design of the front derailleur was similar to Titlist. However, it was downsized and reducing the weight.
PCD of the chain-wheel was 130 mm. 39T inner sprocket was the characteristic of Shimano. Nowadays, PCD 130 became standard as you know.

The freewheel and the hub were introduced in this page.
As for the 5-speed freewheel, 13-21, 14-22 and 15-24 were prepared.
As for the 6-speed freewheel, 13-18 and 13-23 were prepared.
Hub had the small type and the large type; 5-speed model (100-120 mm) and 6-speed model (100-126 mm) were prepared for each type.

The shifter and the bar-end controller were introduced in this page. 4 mm fixing bolt was also the characteristic of Shimano.

The brake and the brake lever were introduced in this page.
The brake size was 47-57 mm. It was standard size of those days. There wasn't small size yet.
The bracket of the brake lever was bigger than Campagnolo. I liked this bracket because my palm was big.

Here were the head set, the wire lead, the wire, and the fork end. Head parts were so-called Campa-type. The eyelet on the fork end is nostalgic.

Here were the parts for track-racing bicycle.

These were frame end and head set for track-racing bicycle.
The genuine tools for the group-set were also introduced in this page.

The left page was explaining how to use genuine tools. The manual was shown from this page to last page. Those are basic knowledge for sports bicycle, not for only Dura-ace. It seemed to be written for a sports bicycle shop and a cycling fan.

Dura-ace was produced for the debut of Shimano in the world market as professional parts maker for sports bicycle. However, Sihmano suffered first because the quality and function of products were not enough for the European professional road racing.
The effort of those days led to following development of Shimano. I could feel the pride of Shimano because Shimano didn't use the company name for this group-set, but use Dura-ace simply.