For those who are interested, I put a 1st generation black Dura-Ace group on my Roberson. You can see it here:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
I agree with Tom that there never were black brake levers. Tom -- if you look at my Roberson you'll see the second black long cage Crane you've seen. (I may have a third one in my parts stash -- not sure, vaguely think I have another -- but I agree they are very rare!).
To my eye, this group is among the most beautiful ever made.
Best,
David
David G. White Burlington, VT USA
Thomas Adams wrote:
> Dear List:
>
> The black Dura Ace Group had black paint filled crank arms, but not full bl
> ack. The levers are silver, even when the calipers are black, to the bes
> t of my fuzzy recollection. If you really want to make it hard, try t
> o find black 175mm arms. I was lucky to get a pair of 172.5 arms for the
> black group on the MKM, which has the only black long cage Crane I've ever
> seen. I will say that the black 1st Gen Dura Ace rings are spectacula
> r looking. The only look I like better is a 42 tooth NR ring inside a Su
> per Record ring.
>
> Tom Adams
> Manhattan, KS
>
> --- On Wed, 3/18/09, Harvey Sachs <hmsachs@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
> From: Harvey Sachs <hmsachs@verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [CR] WTB: Early Dura Ace Black Gruppo
> To: cwstudio@aol.com, "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 7:10 PM
>
>
> Chris Wimpey wrote:
> I am in the midst of building a bike with first generation Dura Ace black g
> roupset, and need to find few pieces. I need 52t and 39t chainrings and bra
> ke levers, preferably in very good condition. NOS may be a bit much to hope
> for...
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> I have an Austro-Daimler Vent Noir with the first gen D/A gruppo, but it ha
> s silver crank arms. Didn't know they made black ones.
> thanks
> harvey sachs
> mcLean va.