This was a sweet score. A local dude was selling a partial Dura-Ace 7403 group. Having just bought that 7-Eleven Merckx, I was looking to upgrade from the Shimano 600 group to DA7403, which was the catalog spec for that frame. Granted, I'll be using the STi in lieu of the downtube shifters.
One more shot below.
Now comes the painstaking process of stripping the bike, Framesavering it, cleaning the surface rust, examining for cracks and retouching various chips. Hopefully in a month, the bike will be complete.
Comments
Damn,are you doin all that work yourself?How do you find the time?
Posted by: pedrocks | February 10, 2010 12:07 AM
I can appreciate vintage groups. But if you're gonna post it, make sure its campy or suntour. Shimano gets better for a reason nowadays...to match SRAM
Posted by: jbensonfong | February 10, 2010 12:10 AM
Oh yeah because vintage Ergopower was so divine.
Posted by: prolly | February 10, 2010 12:30 AM
I have an 8-speed Ergopower group and will say that the action is still fresh and the ergonomic feel is better than the early Shimano stuff. If this group is in unused condition, great, otherwise, there's often something fishy going on in unrebuildable early STI shift levers.
Posted by: Morgan Taylor | February 10, 2010 2:47 AM
I had early 8spd Ergo power shifters on my Hollands and they gave me nothing but problems. I've never had any issues with 7403 STi...
Posted by: prolly | February 10, 2010 3:07 AM
nice find and good choice on the shifters. that head on shot of your other em with the sti shifters is off the chain.
Posted by: j | February 10, 2010 5:56 AM
Double check me, but I think there are compatibility issues with Dura Ace shifters and Ultegra derailleurs.
And early STI was definitely better than early Ergo. In the early 90s, Campy got better because Shimano started innovating.
Posted by: Luke S | February 10, 2010 9:45 AM
we have a full group at the shop, i'll part it so you can make yours complete. it has practically no miles, came off a serotta.
Posted by: ctjustin | February 10, 2010 10:29 AM
jbensonfong, don't be a dick. Prolly is nerding out over his new toy, let him have it.
Posted by: Fuzzy | February 10, 2010 10:44 AM
Luke S., That's all Dura-Ace, no Ultegra.
CTJustin, oh yeah? Emailing you...
Fuzzy, XOXOX
Posted by: prolly | February 10, 2010 11:28 AM
That's sweet I've been hunting for that group for a while now!
Any plans on selling the ultegra?
Posted by: Colin | February 10, 2010 1:21 PM
The group that's on the bike now is Shimano 600 (with Ultegra brake calipers) - it's going to a friend of mine...
Posted by: prolly | February 10, 2010 1:24 PM
Im also watching for 7400 parts for a project, that jbensonfong comment makes me irrationally angry. 7700 is my group of choice for a d2d road bike... boo.
Posted by: J | February 10, 2010 5:06 PM
Daaaamn! Someone's having a good week
Posted by: Brian | February 11, 2010 2:21 PM