New-Old-Stock 600 EX (W-Cut) Chainring...49T / 130mm BCD (Early Generation)

Description

New-Old-Stock Shimano 600 EX (W-Cut) Chainring...49T / 130mm BCD (Early Generation)
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Product Description:
This offering is for a new-old-stock Shimano 600 EX chainring. It's an older 49T aluminum alloy (w-cut) model with chamfered (grooved) bolt-holes on the label-side of the chainring and a bolt-circle diameter (BCD) of 130 mm. There is also a chain peg to help prevent chain overshifts that might otherwise wedge a chain between the front side of this chainring and the back side of a right crankarm (a design feature that is not always included on these older chainrings, but still not a surprise that Shimano included this feature on their higher end model chainrings from this era). One final comment related to the functionality the chain peg...if you look at the close-up picture that includes this peg, you will see two of the beveled teeth are machined to a shorter/flatter profile...presumably to facilitate the return of an overshifted chain back onto this chainring without having to dismount the bike. As I continue to inspect the individual beveled teeth in other areas, I see two more of these shorter/flatter teeth on the other side of the chainring (opposite the chain peg). So this is a tell-tale that our varied tooth profile is also intended to help with chain upshifts to this larger chainring. This is a subtle design feature (and I suppose a precursor to the SuperGlide technology of later years), but still probably worthy of mention here.
For those not familiar with the w-cut design, it's a uniform (beveled) tooth design with flat bottoms/valleys between the teeth and it generally pre-dates Shimano's SuperGlide design features (i.e., rounded bottoms, variable tooth profile, shift ramps and pins). This is not to say that all SuperGlide chainrings are necessarily better, because these precision (machine) cut rings are very good quality, but the SuperGlide chainrings will have more technology built into them that may make for slightly more efficient and quieter shifts. Although, for overall wear and durability, I have to believe these older model 600 EX chainrings will hold their own with many newer model chainrings.
In reference to our comment that this is an "older" model, our small lot of these chainrings have "C" and "D" date codes for the model year...which translates to a late 70's vintage.  This coding is consistent with the design of the chainring, along with the retail packaging. As a result, this chainring is a very early (and possibly first) generation Shimano 600 EX offering...so a 6100 series component.  I've also been told that during these earlier stages of the Shimano company, they would outsource some production to a select few (and neighboring) Japanese companies.  In the case of their chainrings...the Takagi company was being subcontracted by Shimano (to produce some chainrings) during the production window for these chainrings.  I don't know that it makes a huge difference whether this particular chainring was coming out of a Shimano plant in Japan or a Takagi plant in Japan, but I still wanted to mention both production possibilities.
We have also noted the width of these older rings is slightly thicker at the mounting points relative to some later model chainrings. Our best guess is the slightly thicker design was intentional and allowed for a wide enough gap between the rings (when mounted) to accommodate the thicker chains typically used on 5/6-speed drivetrains from this era. Please understand, this observation is focused primarily on the entire ring design and not necessarily the teeth...as the teeth on these chainrings are compatible with the relatively standard 1/2" x 3/32" chain. We also believe this chainring may be used on any number of drivetrains (5, 6, 7 and 8-speed) with a compatible chain...meaning a chain with an appropriate external width for the intended drivetrain. If we had to make a recommendation, we would probably lean towards a 5 or 6-speed drivetrain, but there is some flexibility here...as alluded to above.
With respect to condition, they are new and unused...and still packed in original retail packaging.  Although, this packaging is not necessarily significant...a plastic bag and cardboard cut-out is the extent of the retail packaging from this era (but it's still worth noting the packaging is intact...albeit somewhat shopworn).  To this end, we do see some light shopwear-type scuffs and scratches...likely from the 30+ years of storage time...but the overall condition is still fairly nice.
Listing Update...We have very few left in this model/size/finish.
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