satbuilder 

All,

I'm working on obtaining all the period correct parts for a bike built circa 1974/1975. I purchased the frame only and the seller has elected to keep most of the drivetrain. He did share date codes with me and everything on has a 1974 date code.

Now my question: One thing I have noticed on Nuovo Record rear derailleurs in 1974, the date code stamping varies.

I have seen both PATENT 74 and PAT 74 on some of the derailleurs I've seen on the auction block.

Is this variation something normal, or did this change actually start in 1974?

Thanks,

Kurt

rootboy 

That's an interesting question. And exactly the kind of meaningless Campy minutiae I find mildly intriguing.
Caused me to go down at look at my stash. My '72, 73 and 74 models all say "Patent" on them. Then the date.
I only have one later derailleur, a "Pat 11" version. Will be interesting to hear what others say. They seemed to have made the stamping a larger "font" at some point, and shortened the word. But I don't know when it happened.

satbuilder 

At first I thought maybe this change happened in 1974, and later dates just had the PAT stamp as a cost saving measure. But that theory doesn't seem to hold water as I just saw a PATENT 78 derailleur on ebay.

repechage

Anyone ever consider that there may have been two stamping stations?

Conspiracy theory…

The Better quality parts got stamped with Patent?

SJX426 

Or the better parts are stamped PAT to avoid increase in stress risers!

Prowler 

Burt Monroe: "Invercargill, I-N-V-E-R-C-A-R-G-I-L-L. Sometimes I spell it with one L to save ink." (Worlds Fastest Indian)

Edit: My NR RD says "Patent 76" so they used the full word that year.

repechage

If you wrote to Campagnolo, (even in Italian) I bet they would think… Huh? Why do these people CARE?
And they do kind of get the "Cult".

If they really did, they would resume making replacement parts.

3alarmer 

...Jade Helm. If I said any more, they would have me whacked.

SJX426 

@repechage - Given the dominance of Shimano in so many markets, including TDF, you would think that they would capitalize on the their history more than in words. They don't benefit financially in the used or NOS market, why not back fill for even small items like hoods, jockey wheels, caliper adjusters, etc. Heck maybe even Cobalto jewels!

How many Delta brakes do you think might be sold? Could even offer "upgraded" versions such as SR with longer cage.

repechage

Probably a bigger problem than just deciding on what and how to make consumables.
Way back, Campagnolo had a lifetime warranty.
How long is a lifetime?
My guess few folk send a broken crank arm, pedal or ? back today and expect a replacement with a fitting part.
Todays production does have a "service life" and time limited warranty.

Might be best to create a subsidiary to provide those consumable parts.
The "units in operation" I am sure is there total numbers wise.
Don't forget clamp bolts, pedal dust caps…

Maybe I, strike that, a bunch of us should write Valentino.

repechage

Contacting Campagnolo

SJX426 

Not a bad Idea! Maybe we should make a list together and then send the same list from each of us as suggestions of what the market really needs. We could even suggest a reasonable price we would be willing to pay that was under what the bay typically retails.

I know that NAPA life time Warranty on parts is 4 years. They figure you will not keep your car longer than that. I have taken parts older than that back for free replacement, however, with success.

If it were me, I would ask for the broken parts before sending a replacement, maybe even at a discount with a small margin and then apply the current policy for the replacements. TI parts would be exempt for replacement, maybe. I hate to say no. I would rather provide a reason for the customer to say no, like price.

lotek 

The issue is cost, not ours but Campagnolo's.
My understanding is that Campy sold/destroyed/trashed (whatever) all the tooling for the
old lines. It wouldn't be cost effective for them to tool up for the C&V crowd.
That said I'd really like to see them let up on the copyright/patent restrictions on reproduction items (think hoods) maybe
license the manufacturing....

repechage

I thought about that, brake block tooling may still exist, same with the hoods, who is making those current reproductions out of Italy now? The tooling for the brake cable adjusters is essentially there, a revised CNC program and done.
For some stuff like cables, housing and jockey wheels... I bet those were contract made anyway. Bigger question would be is the means of production gone.
Pedal dust caps... A problem. A new injection molding tool is not free. The steel versions probably even more costly.
I think worth an request. Might kind of reinforce the notion that Campagnolo is forever, the S companies are disposable.

SJX426 

Granted, castings and forging tools would be expensive, but there are a lot of screw machine parts that could be made and some stampings would not be that expensive. If the demand were appropriate, soft tooling might work for market demand exploration.

Secondary operations could be farmed out and is typically code too.

lotek 

maybe if we (the classic community) were to flood Campagnolo with either requests or petitions?
wonder how they would respond to a request for 2000 + cable adjusters or brake hoods?

as they say, money talks.

fietsbob

A Patent date does not say when it was Made.. just when the Patent was registered.

Drillium Dude 

Oh, joy! Another Campagnolo variation! I will have to go take a look at all my bikes now because I don't believe I've ever seen this. I've always seen either "Patent" by itself of "Pat. 74", etc, etc. Never seen Patent merged with a two-digit number.

You learn something new every day

DD

repechage

I think as there was "one" patent, at least till the redesign moving the mech spring, the date code is just that the basic mech. Date code.