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Off to a decent Dura Ace start...

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Off to a decent Dura Ace start...

Old 05-25-22, 05:48 PM
  #1  
67tony 
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Off to a decent Dura Ace start...

In addition to what's pictured, I've got a front DA hub and wheel on the wall, and a crank set on the way.
I'm closing in on a 7403 rear hub, but am totally stalled on new hoods and a seat post.

What's kind of funny is that I don't even have a frame to put it all on.
So...what early 90's frame might I seek that had a Dura Ace groupset on it as standard equipment?

PS: These brakes have to be one of the sweetest components I've ever seen!


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Old 05-25-22, 05:57 PM
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What's kind of funny is that I don't even have a frame to put it all on.
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Old 05-25-22, 06:31 PM
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Nice assemblage of DA parts. When capping off a DA 740X build, the post and stem are usually the most elusive bits to find since they are size-specific. Hopefully the frame you settle on will need a clamp-on FD, too.

Hard to go wrong with any top-end frame from that era. Even Euro frames from that era often had a Dura-Ace spec option. What frame is the right choice? Depends on your own fancy. I've never owned an Eddy Merckx and I recall seeing a lot of them equipped with DA back in the day, not only in the Motorola livery (which I would avoid on principle). That's one option, but any top-tier early 90s frame would wear that group well.

When I scored my grail '90 Merlin frame (something I always wanted when I couldn't afford it) a D-A group seemed a natural choice to adorn it.


Last edited by gaucho777; 05-25-22 at 08:53 PM. Reason: silly typo
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Old 05-25-22, 06:48 PM
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Usually lots of posts, not as many stems, on eBay. Pricey but definitely worth it.
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Old 05-25-22, 06:49 PM
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Hard to go wrong with a Klein! This one is mostly "catalog spec" as it came stock with Dura Ace - although most bikes from that era at that level seemed to be sold as a frameset only - and either the importer put together parts-kit packages, or maybe even it trickled down to the local dealer for final parts selection



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Old 05-25-22, 06:52 PM
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Schwinn Paramounts also ran Dura Ace.

If you want original, you can still get the proper cable adjusters for the brakes (those appear to be mountain bike-inspired 7700s), and the rubber tips for the center bolts.
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Old 05-25-22, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by smd4
Schwinn Paramounts also ran Dura Ace.

If you want original, you can still get the proper cable adjusters for the brakes (those appear to be mountain bike-inspired 7700s), and the rubber tips for the center bolts.

I'll be darned -- Sharp eyes !
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Old 05-25-22, 07:43 PM
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Yes, sharp eyes indeed.
It also looks like I have a cracked lock washer, if that's the correct term.


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Old 05-25-22, 07:46 PM
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gaucho & DMC, those are really nice bikes, thanks for posting the pics.

Right now I can only dream of this level of quality, but, at least I have a goal in mind!
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Old 05-25-22, 07:55 PM
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The 74** series had both single pivot and dual pivot brakes. I would go for the duals.
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Old 05-25-22, 08:15 PM
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Looks like tou’ve put some effort into obtaining and cleaning/polishing DA bits. Well done!
Yes, the correct brakes for an STI equipped DA bike would be 7403 dual pivots. Much better brakes.
Best way to get decent hoods is to buy a pair of blown up shifters with good hoods. Cheaper.
The scrape on your RD can be polished out carefully with 1000 grit paper or a small Dremel polishing wheel.
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Old 05-25-22, 08:21 PM
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The 7400 calipers were my dream brakes. The best I’d ever seen. But their performance compared to 600EX was marginal. I sold my DA Paramount in 1991. Got my Cinelli shortly thereafter. Then I got dual pivot Dura Ace brakes (7700). I finally got the braking experience I was expecting in 1986.

That being said...for some reason I still troll the Bay looking for 7400 brakes. Not sure why. The 7403 will be exceedingly nice.

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Old 05-25-22, 08:23 PM
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Team Miyata's from that era came with Dura Ace, at least they did in the late 80's. Great collect you have there.
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Old 05-25-22, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by gaucho777
I've never owned an Eddy Merckx and I recall seeing a lot of them equipped with DA back in the day, not only in the Motorola livery (which I would avoid on principal).
What principle drives you to avoid Motorola livery? Not trying to troll, I'm curious. I'm unaware of any controversy about it.
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Old 05-25-22, 09:01 PM
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@romperrr, I didn't mean to derail this thread and would prefer not to get into any charged LA discussions here. I actually like the colorway of the Motorola livery quite a bit, but that team and its leadership still leave a bad taste in my mouth. As someone once said, "It's not about the bike."
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Old 05-25-22, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by romperrr
What principle drives you to avoid Motorola livery? Not trying to troll, I'm curious. I'm unaware of any controversy about it.
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Old 05-25-22, 11:19 PM
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Colnago Master Olympics came spec'd with Dura Ace. Here's mine. Still in near-mint condition.

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Old 05-25-22, 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by rccardr
Best way to get decent hoods is to buy a pair of blown up shifters with good hoods. Cheaper.
Meh. I've been at it for awhile, asking on C&V (and other vintage boards/lists), alerts on eBay and I've yet to find these destroyed shifters others keep suggesting that happen to have nice hoods. From what I've seen is that trashed shifters also have hoods that reflect the rest of the shifter. But, maybe after a few months some will come up. But, you better be quick because you and I aren't the only ones looking for these.

Bottom line is that the hoods you want, and that your bike deserves with such a clean group, are roughly $100 new on eBay.
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Old 05-26-22, 07:08 AM
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They seem to come up in tranches....none for a long time and then a bunch in a row. You may also be right about pricing. There's pair of new hoods on eBay now at $109.
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Old 05-26-22, 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by 67tony
Yes, sharp eyes indeed.
It also looks like I have a cracked lock washer, if that's the correct term.


"Star washer." Various non-exact replacements are available from e.g. hardware store or Tektro.



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Old 05-26-22, 07:55 AM
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The washer he has will still work...
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Old 05-26-22, 08:08 AM
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That group would look good on my 92 series 5 Paramount that I just got back from repaint, never did like the purple slime. However, I found a nos 1055 group that should work quite nicely, as that was what was what the bike came with originally.
Best of luck finding the hoods, but I think a Nitto S65 seatpost would look great with that group.
Tim



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Old 05-26-22, 08:23 AM
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Except for the unicrown fork, that Para is a gorgeous bike. Exquisite workmanship.
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Old 05-26-22, 08:27 AM
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Actually, rereading your post, if it were me, I would try and find a early 90s Waterford Paramount frame for that Dura Ace group. Thats what I did for an early DA 7400 group, gave up on the seatpost, and went with some Campy dual pivot calipers I had, over the single pivot DA ones.
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Old 05-26-22, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 67tony
I'm closing in on a 7403 rear hub, but am totally stalled on new hoods and a seat post.
The seat posts are pretty easy to find, some new in box. I'd go for the aero version myself, through the pillar style is nice too. Forget the STI! Get some 7402 brake levers and some down-tube shifters!

Also...don't forget to try for the Dura Ace quill stem--probably the nicest quill stem ever produced.

I don't think even Campy can make this claim, but it's possible to have Dura Ace for nearly every single component--from seat post to stem to chain.
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