I believe that the Crane was the first rear derailleur in the DuraAce group; It just doesn't say "DuraAce" on it. For 1973, the Crane seems like the correct component.
Charlie Young
Honeybrook, PA
> I recently acquired a Condor which I believe might be a '73 with similar
> sounding DuraAce cranks, twin band-on downtube shifters and front
> derailleur, all of which I believe to be original to the bike because of the
> special chainrings with letter cutouts to match the bike (Condor seemed to
> like doing that -- they did the same on a Campagnolo NR equipped Barracchi
> that I have from the same era).
>
> I assume there was also a rear derailleur to go with the group that expired
> before being replaced by the current Crane. The brakes are Universal Super
> 68 (anyone know where I can get lever hoods?), so maybe there were no
> DuraAce brakes at that time. The seat post is a twin bolt Campy knock-off
> that I haven't yet found any ID on. I doubt if it is Shimano, but it might
> be.
>
> Hugh Thornton
> Sunny N.W. England
>
>
> >From: Paul Williams <8pbw@qsilver.queensu.ca>
> >To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> >Subject: [CR]Chronology of Dura-Ace?
> >Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 11:53:57 -0400
> >
> >Hey Folks,
> >
> >I know how some of you feel about Shimano but I thought that I would throw
> >out this query. What is the chronology of Shimano Dura Ace? As mentioned
> >last week, I have this c1976-7 crankset (170 mm) and was curious about it.
> >Again as noted, it is the NR(?) look alike but with black alloy chain-rings
> >and black detailing in the fluting on the cranks - Shimano Dura Ace appears
> >in script in the flutes. I picked this up for C$135 in 1977. Were there
> >other parts with the set? I don't remember seeing them. Is this one of the
> >very early Dura Ace pieces to make it to these shores?
> >
> >By the way I am still thinking about parting with these cranks when I get
> >my new Campy set. Any interest?
> >
> >Paul "curious and procrastinating in a rainy Kingston" Williams
> >Kingston, Ontario