I think I had a pair of Dura Ace sidepulls in 1973, the year I bought my LeJeune F-70 new. I switched out the Mafac CP's for Dura Ace, requiring a rear drop bolt. I believe I made the changeout at initial purchase, but I can't be certain this didn't happen a few months later, maybe even 1974, the year I also attended the Montreal world's that Eddy won. Note however, these were actually the SECOND generation Dura Ace brakes. The first generation were centerpulls, like came on the Japanese-made Schwinn World Voyageur. Not sure when those were introduced, but I think maybe those CP's were the first Shimano component to carry the name "Dura Ace". Anyone know for sure? By the way, where did they come up with "Dura Ace"? That's a pretty generic name, and one that could probably be applied to products other than bicycle components. Do you suppose the first "Dura Ace" could have been a fishing reel? That was/is another big business segement for Shimano.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Thomas Adams <tadams@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote: Hello All,
I was racing as a junior and I remember seeing my first set of Dura Ace brakes in 74. They were in the lust after glass case with a World Championchip wool jersey sent to our local bike shop from Baggio of Montreal. Baggio was the supplier of overseas gear and was an offical sponsor of the worlds in Montreal. "The Canibal", won that year. You can be sure he wasn't using Dura Ace.
Cheers,
Thomas Adams,
Blandford, Nova Scotia,
Canada.