Shimano date codes - M900 XTR

[Once A Hero]

I have a box containing a complete M900 XTR groupset, and for the hell of it I thought I’d see what the build date codes on each part were, to see how many years it covers, and it looks like I have parts from ‘91 through to ‘94.

But there’s a couple of parts that I can’t quite figure out;

ST-M900 STI units - where is the date code?
RD-M900 rear mech, I checked two, one with a stamped code and one with a sticker - the sticker says ‘ks’ which doesn’t match Shimano’s coding. Is it the build date or something else?
CS-M900 cassette - says Type Q Q3 on the spider which again doesn’t match Shimano coding. What is the Q3 ref?

 

[TOMAS]

I could be wrong but I thought XTR M900 only came into play in 1993 from the catalogues etc and all the timelines I've read?

 

[Magpiegifts]

End of 91, beginning of 92

 

[Once A Hero]

Yep XTR first appeared in ‘92 Shimano catalogues, so it seems feasible that production commenced in ‘91.
I have a rear mech that looks to be stamped with an O as it’s first letter which would mean it was made in 1990, but I expect if I look more closely that’ll be a Q and mean it’s ‘92.

I’ll do a detailed list of the parts and build dates.

 

[Matttymm]

Date codes for the shifters are at the top of the brake lever. You have to pull them as it’s by where the cable attaches.

Rear Derailleurs are usually on the inside of the jockey cage by the guide wheel.

Type Q cassette is 32t. The date code should be on the cogs themselves.

 

[Matttymm]

To give you a better idea Pete

 

[Matttymm]

PS - The KS sticker is a quality sticker I believe as in who checked it and when.

 

[Once A Hero]

Cheers Matt, I’ll go and take an even closer look

 

[Matttymm]

 

[Matttymm]

Ill take those dust covers off your shifters Pete.

Date coded for the brakes is where the straddles attach in the recess. Should be early P or Q as the chainset is the 1st generation