In 1965 Shimano introduced its first parallelogram derailleur - a truly epoch making event in the august annals of derailleur history.

Frank Berto describes this design as an ‘inexpensive copy of the Campagnolo Gran Sport’. But if you take one look at it you immediately see that it was derived from the 1961 Campagnolo Sportman. Indeed, the very earliest adverts for Shimano's new baby show a derailleur clearly branded 'Sportsman' - although I believe that it was never sold under that name.

The largest difference between the 1965 Shimano and the 1961 Campagnolo is that the limit screws are mounted on the outer parallelogram plate. The Shimano's parallelogram plates are also white metal castings, rather than the steel pressing used by Campagnolo.

Were these great, ground-breaking, derailleurs like the, contemporary, SunTour Gran-Prix? No, their performance was rather average, the white metal parts tended to crack and, most tellingly, very little of this first design lived on into the 1967 Shimano Sky Lark. But there is only one first Shimano parallelogram design and this is it.

Shimano manufactured the same basic design for 4 years, but during that, rather brief, period it produced a formidable range of different models. I have, a mere, 20 different examples, and that probably only scratches the surface. Some of the more important variables are:

• Branding. The earliest versions (1965) were branded 'Shimano 333'. 1966 saw the addition of the 'Combi 12' (sold with a 3-speed hub) and the 'HiMatic 8' (sold with a 2-speed automatic hub) and possibly something called the 'HiDash'. 1966 also saw the standard 'Shimano 333' model renamed the 'Archery'. Finally, in 1966, a version was introduced that was operated by two cables with an unsprung parallelogram - called the 'Archery-W'. This is 6 different model names!
• Cable routing. The first versions had the cable simply pulling one corner of the parallelogram towards the opposite corner. A later, second, version has the cable running over a roller mounted on an extension of the b-knuckle to increase the leverage. In a third version the cable adjuster was moved inboard replacing the roller. Finally there is the 'Archery-W' with is twin cable design. So, at least 4 options here.
• Pulley cage and pulley wheels. In the beginning (early 1965) the pulley cage was pressed steel, had offset 9 toothed pulley wheels and charming points on its ends. By late 1965 the cage was cast white metal, still had offset 9 toothed pulley pulleys but looked more normal. For early 1966 the pulley cage was forged steel, the 9 toothed pulley wheels were not offset and, on the inner pulley cage plate, the angle between the struts at the guide pulley was about 90 degrees. Later in 1966 the inner pulley cage plate got an angle between the struts at the guide pulley of about 120 degrees. And finally, the cage was slightly redesigned to hold 10 toothed pulley wheels. Just 5 different pulley cages.
• Hanger plate. Early versions (1965) had a 30mm hanger plate that positioned the b-pivot ahead of the rear wheel axle. For early 1966 the shape of the hanger plate was changed to move the b-pivot behind the axle. Also in early 1966 a 35mm hanger plate appeared giving the option of increasing the maximum spriocket size from 24 teeth to 26 or 28 teeth. In late 1966 the option of a 40mm hanger plate was introduced to increase the maximum possible sprocket size to 30 teeth. So, at least 4 different hanger plates!
• Colour. The plastic parts of these derailleurs were, at various times, made in black, red, blue and white - 4 different colours. The logo on the outer parallelogram plate generally matched the colour of the plastic parts, although black and red logos and plastic parts were sometimes intermixed.

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This is a split-new example of a red, late 1966, Shimano HiMatic 8 derailleur with no cable roller and a 40mm 'wide' hanger. It has the following features:

• It is branded 'HiMatic 8'.
• The cable route runs from a cable adjuster at one parallelogram pivot, around an offset roller and then on to the opposite pivot.
• The pulley cage is steel, has the cage pivot on the centre line of the pulleys and is 46mm long. On the inner pulley cage plate, the angle between the struts at the guide pulley is about 90 degrees.
• The pulleys have 9 teeth and are labelled 'Shimano 333'.
• The silver hanger plate is a 'wide' version with a 40mm drop and a slight backward slant.
• It has red plastic parts and a red background on the logo on the outer parallelogram plate.

And also...

• The inner parallelogram plate has a reinforcement under the spring.
• The p-pivot spring tension is easily adjustable.
• The cable clamp nut has an 9mm head.
• The b-pivot bolt has no locknut on the inside.

I am not entirely sure, but I believe that the Shimano HiMatic 8 was marketed as a set, with the Shimano Automatic 2-speed hub gear and a four cog sprocket that fitted onto the hub. I am even less sure how this combination would work.

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• Derailleur brands: Shimano
• Categories: Shimano - early parallelogram models
• Themes: A riot of colour
• Country: Japan
• Date of introduction: 1966
• Date of this example: late 1966 (two letter code LU)
• Model no.: unknown
• Weight: 350g including hanger plate and the extravagant ‘protector’ nut
• Maximum cog: 30 teeth?
• Total capacity: 22 teeth?
• Pulley centre to centre: 46mm
• Index compatibility: friction
• Chain width: 3/32” and 1/8”?
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: unsprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: largely steel with white metal(?) parallelogram plates (they are chromed but not magnetic)