Do old campy dropouts from the 70's use a different shape for the derailleur hanger than is used now? if so, is there a way to put modern Shimano derailleurs on the derailleur hangers used on old Campy Dropouts? If not, what will fit?

Shouldn't be a problem. As far as I know, the threads on derailleurs haven't changed.

Do old campy dropouts from the 70's use a different shape for the derailleur hanger than is used now? if so, is there a way to put modern Shimano derailleurs on the derailleur hangers used on old Campy Dropouts? If not, what will fit?

in the past 2 months, we've installed modern Shimano fishing reels, oops, I mean derailleurs, ;-) on two 1970's bikes, a Raleigh Cometition GS, whose owner replaced a Huret Jubilee with a 105 (the horror...), and a Bertin, this one was a plastic Simplex for 105 long cage, (good move...). Both dreailleurs went on fine. I know the Raliegh had Campy 1010 dropouts, I'm not sure about the Bertin. Maybe Simplex?

Of course, it goes without saying, although I'm going to say it anyway, that no threaded part on a bicycle should require force to install, so if it doesn't go in easily, stop and reconsider.

--Shannon, who has had to relearn this lesson more time than he cares to count, in
San Diego, CA

Perfect. I just purchased a NOS Raleigh competition GS frame. I'm glad to hear that there's options for the drivetrain.

Perfect. I just purchased a NOS Raleigh competition GS frame. I'm glad to hear that there's options for the drivetrain.

Spread the frame, and you can put 9-speed Shimano on it, if that's what floats your boat. For period correctness, look at the catalogs on the Retro Raleighs website. Early 70's Comp GS's had a mix of french parts, the late 70's ones had Campy Gran Sport, with the funky 144 bcd 3-arm crank. You can still get rings for those, from Euro-Asia, but shop cost is about $80 each.

Our Comp GS customer did exactly the conversion you're thinking about, and it worked well. I couldn't persuade him to give me that useless old Huret Jubilee, though. Bummer.

Regardless of what you do with it, it'll be a great riding bike.

--Shannon, a vintage Raleigh fan from
San Diego, CA