Classic & Vintage - 1976? 78? fuji bike. . .

I'm wondering whether or not I should invest a good amount of time on this bike and make it like new or if I should look for another one to work on. I'm mostly new to vintage bikes and restoration. I found this one in my mother's garage and it's about my size.

I figured I might turn it into a commuter as it is pretty heavy. Maybe put some fenders and a rack on the back. I don't know.

Do you think it would be a good single or fixed gear candidate. I've never had one before?

Anyway, what I'm asking here is should I keep this as sort of a first bike that I've ever worked on project or get another used off ebay or craigslist or something? Is this a complete piece of junk? I haven't seen any fuji's posted on this board before.

I couldn't find anyplace to store some pictures online so I created a blog. I had been meaning to anyway. The pics are the first post. Sorry you have to follow a link.

Fuji Gran Tourer (http://thebiccristalpen.blogspot.com/)

A lot of people might tell you not to bother, Ill tell you to fix it up and ride it either as is or as a fixie, youll get used to the weight, and should you ever in the future get a more light weight bike itll feel that much lighter! Go for it! :D

Anyway, what I'm asking here is should I keep this as sort of a first bike that I've ever worked on project or get another used off ebay or craigslist or something? Is this a complete piece of junk? I haven't seen any fuji's posted on this board before.

It's a GREAT first project bike! Build something fun and functional! Don't worry about making it "like new." Just build something that will do what you want it to do!

- FBB

Definitely worth the effort. Fujis are good, solid bikes. I have an S-10S from 1977 that I ride every day, and I'm gradually restoring and customizing it. And you can't beat the price!

That is a good solid bike you have. I've owned several similar to it, and while not top of the line, completely functional and a joy to ride. This is the perfect bike for someone who is just getting into this. Enjoy it!

It looks like it's in great shape. I doubt you'd have to spend much to make it ride just fine.

There's two kinds of "fixing up" -- fixing it up nice to ride where people remark on how nice it looks, and then there's making it showroom fresh with hang tags and everything. This bike is a lower end Fuji with a mild steel frame. Better Fuji's have lighter frames made out of VaLite or Crome-Moly tubing. That said, Fuji didn't really make any bad bikes in that era and the components are decent ones. The only down-side to that bike over high end models is a few pounds and maybe cheaper wheels.

I think you can clean this bike up, freshen up the bearings, tires, brake pads, bar tape, etc. and have a bike that rides nice and looks good. It will never be worth a ton of money. Only the high end bikes like a Paramount or a Raleigh Professional have that going for them. But if you look around the board, you'll find that alot of us (if not most of us) are riding mid-range bikes from the 70's and 80's.

I wouldn't start buying NOS (new old stock) derailleurs, having parts chromed, or sourcing decals and paint for this bike. I'd clean it up, take care not to damage the decals, and ride it. And then I'd post some pictures of it here so we can appreciate it!