The Eagle was Shimano’s attempt to wrest control of their brand back from Schwinn - at the time the most powerful bicycle manufacturer in the world. The Eagle met all Schwinn’s requirements, particularly the bashguard and the ‘cable saver’ sprung cable clamp, but it was Shimano’s own model.

This, 1971, style is branded more prominently than the earlier styles, with the word Shimano on the outer parallelogram plate. This example is a GS version with a long pulley cage.

Despite its horrendous weight (the bashguard is a serious piece of steel) the Shimano Eagle sold in vast quantities.

• Derailleur brands: Shimano
• Categories: Shimano - from Skylark to world domination
• Country: Japan
• Date of introduction: 1971
• Date of this example: unknown (no two letter date code, and has ‘333’ marking on pulleys)
• Model no.: D330 or 52507001
• Weight: 402g including hanger plate
• Maximum cog: 34 teeth (Sutherland’s 4th edition)
• Total capacity: 38 teeth (Sutherland’s 4th edition)
• Pulley centre to centre: 75mm
• Index compatibility: friction
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: sprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: steel (and plenty of it)