DISRAELI GEARS

Shimano Lark gold (1st style)

Shimano Lark gold derailleur (1st style) main image

The Shimano Lark is a Skylark with the cable clamp bolt mounted on a sprung ‘cable saver’ arm. I have always liked this feature as it gives a pleasant supple feel to the gear change.

I think this example is the first version with the aluminium(?) nameplate and screw pulley cage stop.

I have catalogued this derailleur as being ‘gold’, but I suspect that the name plate would, at one time, have had a painted background. However, only Grissom from CSI could tell us if this is true by analysing microscopic traces of tell-tale blah blah blah etc. etc. etc.. In the mean time we can appreciate it as a possible piece of 1960s bling - a suitable subject for a wager between Sir Bernard Docker and Auric Goldfinger.


  • Derailleur brands: Shimano
  • Categories: Shimano - from Skylark to world domination
  • Themes: A riot of colour
  • Country: Japan
  • Date of introduction: 1967?
  • Date of this example: 1967? (date code is 4M, ‘333’ marking on pulleys)
  • Model no.: unknown
  • Weight: 356g including hanger plate
  • Maximum cog: 28 teeth
  • Total capacity: 28 teeth
  • Pulley centre to centre: 54mm
  • Index compatibility: friction
  • Chain width: 3/32”
  • Logic: top normal
  • B pivot: sprung
  • P pivot: sprung
  • Materials: steel