Jeff Wills

I might have a Dura Ace AX rear hub and cassette in my pile o' stuff. I'll dig through tomorrow after I get some sleep.

Highmass

Whoa. What a score, congrats. This is as desirable as any red Italian bike with Campy, in my opinion. If it was my size, I´d be envious. And at that price!. While you could either try to match the original spec, or try to color match the decals, I would do neither. If the current configuration is how it was raced, I´d try to keep as close to that as possible. I mean, how many of us have bikes that have belonged to former plympic contestants, and that have actually won races. If the former owner can confirm that the current configuration (Minus rear rim of course), is how he raced it, then I think it should be kept this way, to preserve it´s history.

T-Mar

Oh, that's arguable. While it may have Dura-Ace EX as opposed to AX, it does at least have the Dyna-Drive crankset and pedals, and appears to completely OEM. While the tubing isn't aero, it is an almost equally rare Japanese manufactured frame with Columbus SL/SP. On top of that, it does have chromed head lugs and a great colour. IMO, it's a tie.

KonAaron Snake 

The 3rensho currently in the for sale section is the only other aero bike I've seen with close to some of the same features. Frankly, I think the Lotus executed it better.

Not really a bike I'd call a rider...especially with the ADBX bars and original cranks/pedals...but it's definitely a cool piece. If OP wants to make it original (and I do think you should at least have the correct parts), shnibob has the stem and bars available. Original saddle was a kashimax, it gets the cool plastic bit over the headset, and the DA bottle/cage.

I have one restored almost perfectly correct if you're interested. I paid far more.

merziac

This was a formative time, a lot going on with several companies dragging their feet, not Shimano.

They tapped Merz to build them a showcase for what they were up to.

Needless to say, he delivered.

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...76&oe=5E2FEF2C

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...9e&oe=5E61D035

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...c1&oe=5E5F668D

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...ac&oe=5E21DD4C

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...33&oe=5E295E00

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...19&oe=5E63D333

KonAaron Snake 

Link no workie...maybe just post photos?

I don't know Merz's custom stuff well, and am more familiar with his work at Specialized.

merziac

Links to pics working now.

He built custom frames and bikes of all kinds in PDX for 10 years, "Specializing" in touring bikes

His work at Big S was preceded by being friends with Synyard who slept on his couch well before it took off which he was instrumental in as he consulted, tested and helped develop the touring tires that launched them.

KonAaron Snake 

While I’m sure it has nice workmanship, I don’t think it comes close to executing the concept in the way that the Lotus does. It’s a traditional frame with different shifter mounts and that incorporates the ax rd. It’s not on par with the Lotus in terms of design integration. Of the bikes I’ve seen with AX, that’s actually among the most ordinary.

It doesn't even include one of the most fun parts...the AX wedged aero post.

merziac

Agreed, pretty sure this was well before the Lotus's were. Shimano tapped him for the introduction of AX, this bike was built for the NY International show and I believe went to Milan as well. Pretty big deal to have them ask you to build for them, they could have had anyone do it. He laid a lot of ground work for what was to come.

I would encourage you to seek out an example to inspect, "nice workmanship" is quite an understatement IMO.

If you ever make it to PDX, I would be happy to show you mine.

KonAaron Snake 

Frankly, I’m this case, nice workmanship was kind. I understand your point about - if - it came before the designs that followed (I don’t know that to be accurate), but the geometry of the bike is totally wrong for that concept/group. If the intent was only to build a tool to hang some parts from, ok. If it was to build a bike for use with ax, Blech.

I also think you might be romanticizing how suppliers are chosen; that’s typically a function of price, relationships, and location.

None of which is to try and take away from a very important designer; I’m sure he’s made many impressive bikes. This one isn’t among them to me.

It could be that I don’t like what Shimano ordered rather than what he built.

pastorbobnlnh 

Aaron, thanks for jumping on this thread and sharing your thoughts. I'm taking the liberty of posting a picture of your Super Pro Aero here as a comparison of what is spec for this bike (let me know if you want me to take this down).

Is your bike 100% spec as best you can tell? 6 or 7 speed? Can you post a pictures which shows the bars from above? Do they have a unique shape? It looks as if you have original hoods on the levers. Is my best bet just to keep looking on ebay? Do you know if the 600AX hoods are a close match to the DA AX hoods?

I'm leaning more to what @Highmass (welcome to BF and C&V!) suggests, keeping it close to how the original owner raced the bike. It does need at least new brake shoes and cable housings. I just realized last night there is no derailleur cable housing. The single stretch of cable from the BB shell to the RD along the right chain stay is a sight to behold. I'll try to take and post better pictures of this setup.

I have stayed in touch with him and he has invited me to come by after the end of the year when he is settled into is new home and his wife's cancer treatments are complete, to learn more about the bike and his career. He has located additional cassettes and chainrings which he wants to pass along to me.
@jjhabbs thanks for posting your Pink Supreme. What a beauty! Lotus offered the Super Pro Aero in Pink or Gold in 1983. That's a great color. I'll take a look at the 3rensho in the classified.

@merziac, thanks for your insights as well. Very helpful since I've never paid any attention to these types of bikes.

merziac

Well I get it and do agree, he admits it was somewhat of a kludge, supposedly built in a day right before the show. I do understand the relationships, he was on board with them from early on when Campy didn't want to listen about what was coming and Shimano did, this is fairly well documented most recently in a BQ article last year I think.

You're right about the romanticizing that most of us are guilty of but this was a bona fide relationship based on Shimano's need to tap into someone with real world hands on experience and vision, Jim was it for them, especially after Campy blew him off.

Here's Peter Kohlers excerpt, turns out it was 1980 so the year before Lotus went there.

Sidney Star embraced the aero concept for Lotus and was the first to introduce it to the United States market on a commercial basis after a one-off frame was made (in one day!) for the New York Bike Show in January 1980 by Jim Merz for display at the Shimano stand. Three prototypes were built in 1981 for Lotus’ sponsored attempt to break the transcontinental record from Santa Monica, California to New York by Jim Black in June, and painted in a striking pink livery. One of these still exists in a private collection.

KonAaron Snake 

It’s 100% fine. I didn’t post because I didn’t want to intrude on your show.

I’m not sure on the 600 question...I know I went through this, and I - think - they did not fit, and I had to buy new levers. I’m not sure what AX goes for these days, but I spent money on mine because I do think it’s one of the most interesting bikes around. I do have mine stock, other than the tires, and the color of tape. I liked how the yellow popped with the blue of the gruppo.

I think mine was 6...but it’s in storage right now. I can check the next time I’m over there.

KonAaron Snake 

That makes a lot of sense...and as a rush job, it does put things into perspective. I’m really not trying to run down Merz here...I’ve had quite a few specialized bikes over the years, and have a lot of respect for much of what they did.

I missed out on a pink aero many years back...I kicked myself for a long tine before finally sourcing mine. I have a particular fondness for Lotus, and I think the super aero pro really is the pinnacle of what they did.

merziac

No worries, I do get it, love having this kind of exchange, expands the playbook and horizons all at the same time, all good.

Again, I would encourage you to research him before his tenure at Big S, he was a force before, during and after, had a far bigger hand in many things than he is well known for. His and DiNucci's time in Japan at Synyards behest was a game changer for all of cycling despite it caving in with the crash of the yen, they had already left their mark that is still evident in the 100's of 1000's of well made reasonably priced middle to upper end steel frames that came from every reputable maker from then on. They get very little credit for this but had a very large hand in much of it.

merziac

You're welcome, glad you got something out of it despite my going on and on, sorry for the derail.

jiangshi

I am fairly certain all DA AX rear hubs were 7s. First gen DA 7400 were 6s, even though they were later. Same UG cogs, though.

Lascauxcaveman 

@pastorbobnlnh: You have confessed to the sin of N+1. One Hail Mary and one Our Father and you're good. I mean that bike at that price? I think The Lord meant you to have it. Some say he works in mysterious ways, but IME, sometimes he also tosses us an occasional no-brainer. So be it.

Now go forth and sin no more. At least not for a little while.

madpogue 

^^^^^ Preaching to the choir, man....

Jeff Wills

Dura-Ace AX was 7-speed. Dura-Ace EX from the same era was 6-speed. I don't know if I ever saw a 5-speed but the hub was in the 1982 catalog:

pastorbobnlnh 

I made a slightly disappointing discovery yesterday: The rear wheel is a clincher and not a tubular. I had suspected this when I went to see the bike and asked "if both wheels were tubular?" The original owner assured me they were and since he was emotional I decided not to let air out of the tire to check.

This does change the direction I was leaning to leave it as bought because it was raced this way. Based on the condition of the Mavic clincher rim (absolutely no brake wear), he never raced on this wheel. Being a fan of tubulars, I'll be leaning strongly in that direction. So do I find a Faimme Ergal yellow label rim to relace and to match the front? Or do I go on a hunt to find a set of original spec DA-AX wheels?

cudak888 

Bob - just to clarify, the front is still a tubular, but the rear a clincher?

If Scott doesn't have what you need, just let me know and I'll check the next time I'm there.

-Kurt

pastorbobnlnh 

Kurt, you are correct. The front is a tubular (Clement) on a Fiamme Ergal and the rear is a clincher on a Mavic Open Pro. I've emailed Scott and waiting to hear back. I'll keep you posted about whether I'll need you to hunt down Ergal or not.

Highmass

According to the Lotus homepage mentioned in the first post, the bike would originally have been mounted with Araya aero rims. Also the pictures shows it with what does indeed look like Araya aero. I have a set of Araya aero clinchers that I love dearly. Actually I think they are the most beautiful rims I have (Closely followed by the early Campagnolo aero rims). Also my Arayas are suprisingly tough rims. I´m kinda´fat, and I´ve given the rims more than their fair share of abuse, and yet they are still in surprisingly good condition. I doubt that there is much if any aerodynamic advantage to them, as they are fairly low profile, but they are SO pretty.
I´d say either keep the bike just as it is, or hunt down some of the correct Araya rims. If you´re convinced that the bike has not been raced with the Mavic, I´d hunt down the Arayas if it was my bike.
I think I saw some of the correct rims on ebay recently, while looking for Araya 27 (Non aero) tubular rims for my latest project (More on that when I reach 10 posts AND figure out how to post photos).

ScottRyder 

The 1984 Aero Super Pro from my book "Japanese Steel: Classic Bicycle Design from Japan". This one is all original. Good section on Lotus in the book as well.

Cheers,

Scott