hi ross,
your bike has traits very similar to my 3rensho-built specialized allez, which is from about 1982/1983:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
same crown, same lugs, same brake bridge, same chainstay bridge. my allez also only has a size mark on the BB. further, the over-BB cable guides also place it in the early 80s at the latest.
the super-ends came in around 1986, so it's certainly earlier than that. my 3rensho katana has those ends, and the BB is marked with a letter A indicating it was imported by andrew muzi at yellow jersey, followed by a 3-digit number, if my memory is correct, so apparently the numbering system changed over time.
randy dugan van nuys, ca usa
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Archive-URL: http://search.bikelist.org/
Hey CR list, I have a 3Rensho road frame that I believe is an early 80s Super Record. The lack of Super end-style dropouts and the incomplete group of 1st-gen Suntour Superbe stuff that was on it when I received it would seem to confirm this. However, there is no serial number stamped into the bottom bracket shell, just "58" for the frame size. From what I've read so far, I understand this is somewhat atypical. I did notice a three digit number etched into the steer tube when I had the fork out, I believe it was 206. Does anyone have any comment on the prevalence of numbering on 3Rensho's? Can anyone suggest a more definite date for this frame?
Some photos are available on my flickr account here:
http://www.flickr.com/
Thanks for any assistance,
Ross Young
Phoenix, Arizona, USA