DISRAELI GEARS
This is a mid 1970’s version of the Shimano Lark-W. The W designation indicates that the derailleur has no spring in the parallelogram and is controlled by two cables, pulling in opposite directions, worked by a twist-grip. In the case of this gear, the cable nipples (like a modern brake cable pear nipple) are at the derailleur end, and the clamp bolts are in the twist-grip control.
The Lark and Skylark series began as premium products, but by the mid 1970’s had become budget items. This one lacks the ‘character’ of some of the earlier versions.
I have an indelible memory of trying to set one of these up on a strange orange coloured Puch ladies bike in about 1977 - and giving up and using a SunTour Honor and SunTour Mighty Shift thumbshifter. This was the only brush with Shimano’s W system that I can remember - and it was not a pleasurable experience.
Ref. 342
Browse associated documents.
Shimano Bicycle Parts - ’72 page 3 - scan 5 of 24
Shimano Bicycle Parts - ’72 page 3 - scan 5 of 24
JBM - Japan’s Top Bicycle Parts Makers page 19, scan 20 of 24
JBM - Japan’s Top Bicycle Parts Makers page 19, scan 20 of 24
A Complete Line of Shimano (1975) page 16 - scan 17 of 36
A Complete Line of Shimano (1975) page 16 - scan 17 of 36
Japan's Bicycle Guide 1975 page 128 - scan 3 of 4
Japan's Bicycle Guide 1975 page 128 - scan 3 of 4
Japan's Bicycle Guide 1976 page 151 - scan 3 of 3
Japan's Bicycle Guide 1976 page 151 - scan 3 of 3
Shimano Bicycle Parts - 1978 scan 20 of 27
Shimano Bicycle Parts - 1978 scan 20 of 27
New Cycling 05/1981 - '81 Derailleur Collection
New Cycling 05/1981 - '81 Derailleur Collection