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VINTAGE DERAILLEURS: Campagnolo 50s-80s
#1
Finally getting some time off; was too tired to be riding or building, but now jumping back into gear.

I am getting ready to build-up a couple older frames (50s-70s), and was going through my parts supplies trying to determine what I had and what I might use. In doing so I am finding I have more than I thought or completely forgot about, and what I have varies a bit between like models so I figured I would start to document a few of them here for reference purposes before they get mounted, traded, or sold. Parts range from never mounted, to well used but perfectly functional; to "for parts only", or for the sake of curiosity (either given to me, or salvaged).
I will start with some Campagnolo stuff since I plan on knocking out a couple bikes with these items; right now just deciding on which particular units to fit the need in no particular order of year or quality. I am not a historian on this stuff just providing what bit of info I can; with Campy stuff I have found that official documentation is not always accurate relating both to dates of introduction and cessation, and also relating to specific details (incorrect diagrams and photos). Someone always seems to have something before it was officially introduced, and somebody always has a variant that was not documented in any company catalog so take everything I put forth with a grain of salt except the actual photos which are of units I have. Furthermore, if you can add anything to the mix it would be welcome by myself, and I am sure by others; be it anecdotal or firsthand knowledge, as well as more photographic documentation (please try to use only your own photos, or credit photos to their proper origin).

NUOVO GRAN SPORT REAR DERAILLEUR (1973?-1984?)
Starting with the "NUOVO GRAN SPORT" which was probably entry to mid level below "NUOVO RECORD" (1968?-1987?, approx. 195g) and "SUPER RECORD" (1973?-1987?, approx. 185g) equipment, and I would assume it was meant to replace the old "GRAN SPORT" (1951?-1973?; 290g) and "RECORD" (1963-early 70s?; 325g) units. It certainly was better than the VALENTINO and VELOX units which were still made around the same time frame, and it is much lighter than previous models aside from the top end "NUOVO RECORD" from the late 60s which even then only weighed about 15g lighter. I should modify one with alloy cage plates in place of the steel ones just to see the weight difference; I believe it may be lighter than the "NUOVO" unit at that point.
I believe "NUOVO GRAN SPORT" came into use in the early to mid 70s and stopped being manufactured in the mid 80s. I know have 2 specific versions (1st and 2nd gen.) and I have seen a third variant (later 1st gen. variant?) which may have been due to a replacement lower pivot bolt (upper bolt was missing on example). The main changes were made in the very early 80s from what I can tell from having stripped a few off of bikes as original equipment.

The early 1st generation version with "PATENT CAMPAGNOLO" on flathead pivot bolts weighs approx. 217g complete (with limit screw "knobs"); the later 2nd generation version weighs approx. 220g (unit w/o limit screw "knobs") (Edit: I have a note on Velobase stating the weight of a "NOS" 2nd gen. unit I have is 240g. I am not sure why the later version weighs more with less parts ("knobs") on it other than differences in milling and slightly different knuckle castings, but I use an old balance scale which has about a +/-1g tolerance. I have a couple examples of both the early and later variants and they are identical (per variant) except as noted, and those having had replacement pulleys installed.

The early version differs from the later variant in the following details: "B" & "P" pivot bolts as well as the cable clamp bolt have flat heads with "PATENT CAMPAGNOLO" (later 1st gen. variant has no script on flathead bolts, 2nd gen. unit has concave headed bolts w/o any lettering); both limit adjustment screws have plastic "knobs" (which to me serve no real purpose except to add weight and prevent dirt and debris intrusion) (l have 2 later variants; one has these, the other has none) (these knobs may have been an option; as they are also found on various year "NUOVO RECORD" units I have); the pulley cage outer plate has 4 holes for cage tension setting and is slightly different in looks in that it has a somewhat sharper edge to the "lip" on the outer and inner cut-out edges (later variant has only 2 tension holes, and flatter "lip" edges); "P" knuckle casting is slightly different at the groove between pivot pins (one later variant looks the same, it also has "knobs; the other one looks different); the "B" knuckle casting at the cable stop is about 1mm shorter than the later variant; the milling for the pivot bolt head at the "B" knuckle ends with rather distinctly sharp edges (one later variant, again the one with the knobs, is similar; whereas the other one has a rounded concave edged milling); the milling for the pivot bolt head at the "P" knuckle extends further out from the bolt head approximately 4mm (the later variant is milled just beyond the edges of the bolt head approximately 1.5mm).
All units have the same pulley cage inner plate design.
There is a variant of the first generation (see post #12) that has no markings on the upper and lower pivot bolts; year of introduction unknown, but estimate mid to late '70s.

Identical features of early and later variant: aluminum parallelogram plates, knuckles and pivot pins (solid); steel pulley cage plates, springs, spring housing, and hardware; high limit screw anti-rotation spring is longer than that for low limit screw (screws are the same length); original pulleys are plastic 10T without any markings. Plastic "knobs" removed from limit screws reduce weight about 1.5g.

Opinion: this is a decent and reliable unit with similar performance to Campagnolo's higher level models less the weight difference. It can readily be upgraded with aluminum pulley cage plates, drilled plates, and/or alloy "B" pivot bolt (reduce weight), and some nice sealed bearing pulleys (colored to match frame is a nice touch too). Perfect for 70s and 80s era vintage bikes, or a very good upgrade for earlier bikes using lesser equipment. Aesthetically it is a nice looking unit; not real fancy, but it has the looks of a well made quality unit.

Value: as of 2021 this unit, in good to excellent condition, will sell around $40-$60; maybe $75-$100 if a "new-old-stock" unit. If you need one just wait, they are regularly on sale somewhere at a reasonable price. I have seen folks asking well over $100 for a used unit, and it wasn't gold plated!

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
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#2
Glad you are doing well!

I had one of those RDs on a 79/80 Raleigh "Gran Sport" (go figure!). The whole bike was a Campy Nouvo Gran Sport gruppo. I really like the NGS shifters with the thumb wheel tension nuts.
Ride Fast, Be Safe!
Howard
  Reply
#3
(10-09-2021, 04:35 PM)Criminal Wrote:  I had one of those RDs on a 79/80 Raleigh "Gran Sport" (go figure!). The whole bike was a Campy Nouvo Gran Sport gruppo. I really like the NGS shifters with the thumb wheel tension nuts.

GRAN SPORT/VELOX Shifters (1971?-1984?)
Since you brought it up, here are a set of GRAN SPORT (aka VELOX) shifters in clamp-on form. These were shown in a Campagnolo 1974 catalog as part of the "GRAN SPORT GROUP 2240"; specified as GRAN SPORT model part # 1014/1A. They are also found earlier in the 1971 #16 supplement catalog (Nov. 1971) listed in the parts descripition specifically as VELOX model shifters (same part #). They again show up in the 1975 supplemental catalog in the GRAN SPORT groupset, but without any specific model designation for part #1014/1a description; but that description is anotated with "(V, NGS)" which implies they are part of the VALENTINO and NUOVO GRAN SPORT groupsets. This turns out to be a common Campagnolo trick of changing model names while utilizing older components in newer groupsets; something they have done at least up to the early to mid 90s. A fairly simple design with the only non-fixed hardware from the clamp assembly being the shift lever, pressure plate, thrust washer, and adjustment nut (or "thumbwheel"). The adjustment nut is quite attractive and well made having a somewhat of a UFO saucer shape. Unlike the RECORD series of shifters, this unit employs a threaded stud protruding from the clamp band instead of a threaded boss. In the same 1974 catalog, the braze-on shift levers for the GRAN SPORT groupset use a simple slotted screw to attach to the frame bosses; there is no specific model name given in the part # listing. I consider them an ugly alternative to the clamp-on version, and also requiring a tool to adjust friction feel; who needs that while riding! I am not sure if the record "D"ring adjuster screws will function as viable substitutes since I have never tried them.

Opinion: I find that these shifters tend to hold the friction adjustment quite well (but can easily be improved with light duty thread lock fluid, or teflon tape wrap on the stud). They would pair well with any RECORD (SUPER or NUOVO) components giving a bike a nice vintage look while also having a distinctly unique look.

Value: as of 2021 this shifter set can be obtained for about $35-$50 in good to excellent condition. Again, you can buy them at up to $100 for the same thing you can get at half of that price.

   
   
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
  Reply
#4
Wow, these look ... beautiful. I don't know much about vintage bicycles but these shapes and looks are aesthetically pleasing Smile
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#5
(10-13-2021, 04:47 PM)Lemon Wrote:  Wow, these look ... beautiful. I don't know much about vintage bicycles but these shapes and looks are aesthetically pleasing Smile

They didn't call it bike jewelry for nothing; and that was before the gold plating!
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
  Reply
#6
(10-15-2021, 12:52 AM)Jesper Wrote:  
(10-13-2021, 04:47 PM)Lemon Wrote:  Wow, these look ... beautiful. I don't know much about vintage bicycles but these shapes and looks are aesthetically pleasing Smile

They didn't call it bike jewelry for nothing; and that was before the gold plating!

+1

What other 'bike jewelry' comes to your mind in terms of derailleurs?
Merida Scultura 5000 (2015)
Merida Big Nine 400 (2019)
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#7
@Zviedrs hope you are well, and your "new" government serves you well.

In reference to your query it is an interesting thought. Early shifting systems (1910s-1930s) were very utilitarian and were focused on function over aesthetics. In the 1940s (primarily post-War) with Campagnolo introducing the "Cambio Corsa" system is when artistic design really started to be incorporated into the aethetics of derailleurs even though that particular system was outdated functionally before it even came into being, but Campagnolo's "Gran Sport" derailleurs and shifters successfully combined aesthetics and function to a degree where they essentially didn't change much for decades except to include weight reducing materials into their make up; from bronze, to steel, to aluminum, and to titanium subcomponents. No one really went to the degree of designing highly aesthetic components other than Campagnolo (with the exception of a few unabashed imitators; e.g. Triplex, etc.).
I really like Shimano's 600EX "Arabesque", and earlier "Golden Arrow" groups. Amazingly, Campagnolo never really made non-drivetrain components with fancy designs. Early chainwheels from the 30s and earlier had some really cool designs which disappeared throughout the decades except on steel chainwheels found on roadsters. Most "jewelry" on bikes other than components were the fancy cut lugs used and modified by builders (chromed or not).

1930s chainwheel:
   
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
  Reply
#8
(10-18-2021, 02:37 AM)Jesper Wrote:  1930s chainwheel:

Looks like "Devil chainring"!
"Uphill, downhill, I like that"
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#9
(10-20-2021, 04:07 PM)Sagan97 Wrote:  
(10-18-2021, 02:37 AM)Jesper Wrote:  1930s chainwheel:

Looks like "Devil chainring"!

The only diabolical issue is determining the manufacturer. No one has yet to be able to definitively identify the make; possibly: Fonlupt, August Sutter, Mercier, Solida, Andrelys, Nervar, or Derwis. I have yet to see another example with that design.
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
  Reply
#10
@Lemon @Zviedrs Just thought I'd show the Shimano 600 series rear mech (600EX "arabesque", circa '74-'85) as a comparative example of another company's effort in artistry, form, and function. This unit is far superior in performance to any Campagnolo derailleur (excepting offset Rally model) made until the circa '87 Athena slant design (which was already 15 years or more behind in the design area). It was most likely made to compete against Campagnolo's Nuovo Record and similar designs regarding aesthetics and Sun Tour units regarding function. Many other parts in the 600EX "arabesque" group incorporated decorative designs on their surfaces.
Also, the decorative Automoto chainwheel incorporates their cloverleaf logo and "A" in its design. That type of detail eventually evolved into chainrings (and other parts) being pantographed/milled/drilled with company names and logos. Of course, all that extra detail cost more; most engraving nowadays costs $100 or more for anything of a significant nature.

1985 Shimano 600EX
       
Note: Shimano incorporates a 2 letter date code. This mech is odd in that it has two different date codes (both indicate the same year, but two different months); February ("JB") and July ("JG") 1985.

Circa 1930s-40s Automoto threaded hub chainwheel
   
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
  Reply
#11
Classic beauty right there!
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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#12
Nuovo Gran Sport 1st Gen. Variant circa mid to late '70s (see 1st post for details)

This unit is essentially the same as the original except that upper and lower pivot bolt heads have no lettering on them. I do not know how many years each variant existed, but it is a possibility that plain bolts were needed to fill orders during the bike boom since these derailleurs were used as stock components on many bikes made by large volume producers. Another reason, which may go hand in hand with the previous one is simply to cut costs.

   
Take care,
Jesper

"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
  Reply
#13
This is a great thread to enjoy over my morning coffee!
  Reply
#14
(12-12-2023, 05:47 AM)Jesper Wrote:  Circa 1930s-40s Automoto threaded hub chainwheel

This would be a nice fit with Colnago Smile
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