guidogad

This is a little bit exciting.
my Suntour Superbe cranks are marked C-7.
them early ones were apparently made by Sugino and had Sugino date codes.
over on vintage-Trek I leaned mine could be what they have under code format 5.
and I’d interpret that to be 1973.
i know, no Superbe around at that time, or was there?
the bike they are on dates to 1973, which could of corse be a coincidence.

Andy_K 

VeloBase says that’s a CW-1000 and that it’s a rebranded Sugino Mighty sold from 1976-1983.

VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour CW-1000, Superbe

Being made by Sugino would explain why it doesn’t follow the normal SunTour date code. Another source I found claims that C-N on a Sugino part means 1983, but I don’t know how reliable that is.

guidogad

I'm aware of all that which is why I posted this. I think the Sugino code you refer to would be with out the dash, i.e. C7, and in that format would stand for 1983.
Vintage-Trek has that info too: Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating
Check Code 5 under Sugino cranks.

clubman 

That's a gem of a crank.

Mr. 66

I like the cable guide on there, one I don't recall seeing.

Andy_K 

Ah, I see. Late night posting, I guess my attention span goes down. I see your point. It seems plausible.

suntour123

You are correct, Sugino made Superbe cranks and used Sugino date codes, not suntour codes. So G is 1977 H 78 I 79. Then to confuse things even more in 1981 they left this style and they started a new at A 1981 B 1982 and C is 1983. Your cranks are 1983 and 7 being 7th calender month (July). Hope this helps. D is the latest i have seen (1984) then superb pro cranks became available and these seem to have been discontinued.

To confuse things even more, suntour superb pro cranks use suntour date codes A being 1984 b 85 etc.

suntour123

And yes Superbe came out in late 1976, But was not readily available for market in larger numbers until 1977. So defiantly not original to the 73 frame. Would have been a very good upgrade.

masi61

The Gazelle crank bolt dust cap is a nice touch as well.

T-Mar

July 1983 sounds correct. I suspect the crankset may originally have been from a Nishiki. In the early1980s Nishiki had the crankarm flutes color filled, typically to match the frames or logo. I've seen red fluted Super Mighty and Superbe cranksets on Nishiki Comp variants and Nishiki Superbe.

Edit: Here's a Superbe with red fluted cranks.

Catnap 

As far as i know, Sugino always made cranks and bottom brackets for Suntour. Dia-Compe made the caliper brakes. Sugino and SR made seatposts for them, as well. Not sure if was Tange or Hatta that made the headsets.