Dura Ace 7401 DT Shifters: Is this an anomaly?
09-03-20, 03:39 PM
#1
lurking nightrider
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Dura Ace 7401 DT Shifters: Is this an anomaly?
I've been brushing up my knowledge of 1980's Shimano components and came across a variation of Dura Ace 7401 DT shifters I've not seen before.
It's my understanding that Dura Ace 7400 is 6-speed, 7401 is 7-speed, and 7402 is 8-speed. Yet, this? :
It's my understanding that Dura Ace 7400 is 6-speed, 7401 is 7-speed, and 7402 is 8-speed. Yet, this? :
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09-03-20, 05:13 PM
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I have a set of those Dura Ace SL-7401 downtube shifters. I used them for awhile last year with both 7-speed Deore LX long cage and Shimano 600 Tricolor (early Ultegra) 8-speed rear derailleurs. But I was running 7-speed only at the time.
Velobase has some details about the differences between the various Dura Ace 7400 series shifters. They indicate the SL-7401 might be compatible with 8-speed. I need to remount them on a bike with a DA 8-speed RD and cassette to be sure. I do recall that the SL-7401 shifter had one more full click stop beyond my 7-speed setup, indicating it might cover 8-speed.
Velobase has some details about the differences between the various Dura Ace 7400 series shifters. They indicate the SL-7401 might be compatible with 8-speed. I need to remount them on a bike with a DA 8-speed RD and cassette to be sure. I do recall that the SL-7401 shifter had one more full click stop beyond my 7-speed setup, indicating it might cover 8-speed.
09-03-20, 05:23 PM
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The 7400 series Dura-Ace group saw several interations including the introduction of 6 then 7 and finally 8 speed SIS shifting. Eventually upgraded with 7410 parts before finally being completely replaced with 7700 (Velobase)...Internet, ain't it bloody marvellous 
Last edited by Bob the Mech; 09-03-20 at 05:27 PM.
09-03-20, 05:30 PM
#4
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The pods are interchangeable to a certain degree, so that could be a pod from a 7400 shifter mated to a 7401 lever.
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09-03-20, 05:40 PM
#5
lurking nightrider
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09-03-20, 05:55 PM
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Do they take that little shim (adapter) to switch from 6-7 speed like the Ultegra SL6400?
09-03-20, 06:16 PM
#7
lurking nightrider
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Hmm, not that I can tell.
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09-03-20, 07:24 PM
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6,7,8,9,10 speed indexing pods all interchange with 7400 7401,7402, 7850 and 7700 levers. And Shimano 6208.
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09-03-20, 08:45 PM
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Ah, interesting. I just checked the Shimano archives and a PDF of an old instruction sheet confirms the levers were very modular and some could be upgraded with different pods. Good to know.
I'll inspect my set more carefully when I re-install them. I think it came off a 1993 Trek 5900 (can't find a spec sheet with complete details), which was originally equipped with Dura Ace 8-speed, including downtube shifters rather than brifters. Presumably Trek intended the 5900 to be a minimalist climbing bike so they fitted that model with the lightest available components regardless of brand. It was a hodgepodge of Dura Ace front and rear derailleurs and downtube shifters, Dia Compe brakes, titanium Chris King headset, White Industries BB, Ibis threadless stem, etc.
I have a couple of 8-speed Dura Ace RDs and was just about to swap out some components on my Ironman, mostly for giggles to try some of the stuff I've been collecting but haven't used yet. Maybe I'll put 'em back on the Trek 5900.
I'll inspect my set more carefully when I re-install them. I think it came off a 1993 Trek 5900 (can't find a spec sheet with complete details), which was originally equipped with Dura Ace 8-speed, including downtube shifters rather than brifters. Presumably Trek intended the 5900 to be a minimalist climbing bike so they fitted that model with the lightest available components regardless of brand. It was a hodgepodge of Dura Ace front and rear derailleurs and downtube shifters, Dia Compe brakes, titanium Chris King headset, White Industries BB, Ibis threadless stem, etc.
I have a couple of 8-speed Dura Ace RDs and was just about to swap out some components on my Ironman, mostly for giggles to try some of the stuff I've been collecting but haven't used yet. Maybe I'll put 'em back on the Trek 5900.
