Ken- Where is Frank Berto when you need him? Let me do my best to answer this one for you. These hit the states ca.1970ish: (put the label "GT" behind these names to signify the long cage versions)
"Seven" Steel slant parallelogram at a whopping $7
"Honor" Steel slant parallelogram at a whopping $8, I don't know difference from "Seven"
71ish; Vx -Suntour's first "Pro" AL-alloy slant parallelogram at a whopping $12! IMHO, the standard by which all non-indexed derailluers can be judged.
78ish; Cyclone, very light weight AL-alloy slant parallelogram, predecessor to Superbe model. (expected to compete with Campy SR and Dura Ace). First of Japanese or Italian makes to come with ball bearings in pulley wheels.
81ish; Cyclone Mark II, AL-alloy slant parallelogram touring/interesting cable clamp model
80ish; Blue Line very similar, yet less expensive finish to Cyclone, AL-alloy slant parallelogram (expected to compete with Shimano 600, maybe victory/triomphe)
82ish; Superbe, very light weight AL-alloy slant parallelogram marketed as OEM for Pro bikes (expected to compete with Campy and Dura-Ace, but never captured significant market share)
84ish; Superbe Pro, light weight AL-alloy slant parallelogram Pro model, actually a few grams heavier than original Cyclone/Superbe models. Ran a VERY distant third to Campy and Dura-Ace.
I would only add that most anybody you talk to that had experience with the Vx, Cyclone, Superbe models, would say that these are well built, well designed models second to none of their contemporaries, Cheers- Dave Anderson Cut Bank MT
In a message dated 3/9/2004 5:45:08 PM PST, Huemax@aol.com writes: Hi, members, Is there any one who can help me identify model names and timelines for Suntour components, mainly derailluers? I know Cyclone was born in mid 70's, then Cyclone-II, Superbe, Superbe-Pro. But some model looks exactly same from Cyclone to Superbe. And what about "Blue lines" and Vx stuff? Thanks in advance! KEN TODA, High Point, NC, rain, cold, it might turn into snow again!