At 10:48 3/2/2001 -0600, Christopher Cleveland wrote:
>Dear Listmembers,
>
>Can anyone give an approximate production span for the following
>items?
>
><snip>
>
>Weinmann Vainqueur 999 centerpull calipers. Note: These have a
>curved, red label in the center, like the later models, but the label
>says only "Weinmann Vainqueur 999". It does not give the reach (e.g.
>610, 750), but they are 750s. Also important: There are no red plastic
>bits or red colored metal bits whatsoever. The washers are thin
>stainless steel, as are the springs. The brake arms are not linked by a
>pin and slot, as on the later models. The fulcrums are riveted to the
>back plate, rather than fixed with recessed nuts.
My guess would be mid-60s, but could be off a few years. I like the ones you have, since they are (I beleive) the last model with brass/bronze bushings instead of plastic. The earliest of these that I know don't have the indent on the "horizontal" arm with Weinmann 999 in red stick-on, but have Weinmann engraved on the arm (and red-paint-filled, if memory serves). Then came your model, and then (I think) the transition to recessed nuts and linked arms.
>Normandy high flange hubs with round holes and skewers marked M.M.
>Atom. I believe the oval holes began to appear around 1964, but there
>may have been overlapping production of the two styles.
If it measures 120 mm or so, then I know only two versions. My first Sears Ted Williams Sport Special (ca 1960) w. Normandy HF and Campgy Gran Sport derailleur had the LEFT flange out near the left edge of the bearing bulge. Awesomely dished, and routinely ate right side spokes. My second TWSS (some folks don't learn quickly...but cut me some slack, Puch/Austro-Daimler seems to have made it) had the round holes, but with the flange moved to the inboard side of the left bulge. That one probably dated to 1964, and was much happier with spokes. BTW, we always assumed that the Schwinn-approved hubs with the triangular holes were also Normandy/Atom -- the innards all swapped right out. BTW2: Am I the only one who remembers a variety of different cone diameters, with corresponding variability in the dust shield inner diameters? The only one who remembers how quickly those cones pitted and failed?
>Very truly yours,
>
>Chris Cleveland