Classic & Vintage - Opinions on 1980 Fuji America

I'm wondering what peoples opinions are on a price for one of these. (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/ill_postino/fuji%20america/198007America.jpg)

Obviously, not the bike to be purchased, it is identical/stock except seat, handlebar tape, and tires, from what I can tell, even has original Fujita clip straps. Used very little, excellent condition. A lovely bike, w/half chrome stays/fork, and the fork bend is slightly remniscent of French bikes.

Beyond that, opinions on the value/quality of this model would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Pretty good bike. If it's your size, in excellent condition, and under $200, buy it.

That is a great bike worth a lot of money to many people. Especially those that like touring. Very good quality. The bike doesn't look to have the clearance for larger tires, but it is a really, really good bike. I would love to own one. Especially if it is in great condition. Lugged steel frame should give a great ride. I think if it fits you, you will love it.

My friend, you are in danger. Let me throw my body between you and this wicked bike before it owns your soul.

Depending on whether or not it is my size, of course. LOL.

Kidding aside, I'm envious of your opportunity. Others will know the technical details better than I but this is a GOOD one. Probably sold for $700-800 two+ decades ago.



I'm wondering what peoples opinions are on a price for one of these. (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w37/ill_postino/fuji%20america/198007America.jpg)

Obviously, not the bike to be purchased, it is identical/stock except seat, handlebar tape, and tires, from what I can tell, even has original Fujita clip straps. Used very little, excellent condition. A lovely bike, w/half chrome stays/fork, and the fork bend is slightly remniscent of French bikes.

Beyond that, opinions on the value/quality of this model would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I have the same bike in my possession and was wondering the same thing. How much did you end up appraising it for? Thanks.

the Fuji Ameria's were a bit before my time but beautiful bikes. I would not mind owning one. I think they were given a reputation of a 'touring' bike because of the barends and the triple, but IIRC my friends rode just like a similar road bike. can you get pics of the one you are looking at buying? or if your selling it can you post pics?

Hi Tombike1 welcome to the forum. you should post a thread in the appraisal forum and post some good pics. closeups of the drive train and BB area for the real fuji freaks.

for the real fuji freaks.

Hey, I resemble that remark! Here's mine:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1980%20Fuji%20America/DSC00321-1.jpg

Scott

Great bike!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2799959409_b45b483686_b.jpg

the Fuji Ameria's were a bit before my time but beautiful bikes. I would not mind owning one. I think they were given a reputation of a 'touring' bike because of the barends and the triple, but IIRC my friends rode just like a similar road bike. can you get pics of the one you are looking at buying? or if your selling it can you post pics?

Hi Tombike1 welcome to the forum. you should post a thread in the appraisal forum and post some good pics. closeups of the drive train and BB area for the real fuji freaks.

It was considered a "sport touring" bike.

The Touring Series V was a True touring bike.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3909639643_ff70fcfaa2_b.jpg

Super bike! Easily the equal (if not the better) of ANY production touring bike, including that other one that is
more frequently touted as "best".

Cheers.


It was considered a "sport touring" bike.

The Touring Series V was a True touring bike.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3909639643_ff70fcfaa2_b.jpg

In 1980 it was considered the "ultimate touring bike" by Bicycling Magazine .. interesting article.

http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=15469

And yes, the Touring Series V is the middle '80's ultimate. Here's mine that I bought from Afilado last year. My only complaint is that it's too beautiful to actually tour on, I have a slightly weathered Touring Series III that I use.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1984%20Fuji%20Touring%20Series%20V/IMG_3657.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1984%20Fuji%20Touring%20Series%20V/IMG_3666.jpg

I've since updated the bar wrap and put on a Fujita Pro saddle ...

Scott

Scott, that Touring V deserves a thread of its own. We both know it's probably the finest example in existence. Others would be interested.

J



In 1980 it was considered the "ultimate touring bike" by Bicycling Magazine .. interesting article.

http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=15469

And yes, the Touring Series V is the middle '80's ultimate. Here's mine that I bought from Afilado last year. My only complaint is that it's too beautiful to actually tour on, I have a slightly weathered Touring Series III that I use.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1984%20Fuji%20Touring%20Series%20V/IMG_3657.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1984%20Fuji%20Touring%20Series%20V/IMG_3666.jpg

I've since updated the bar wrap and put on a Fujita Pro saddle ...

Scott

In 1980 it was considered the "ultimate touring bike" by Bicycling Magazine .. interesting article.

http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=15469

And yes, the Touring Series V is the middle '80's ultimate. Here's mine that I bought from Afilado last year. My only complaint is that it's too beautiful to actually tour on, I have a slightly weathered Touring Series III that I use.




I've since updated the bar wrap and put on a Fujita Pro saddle ...

Scott

LoL

I have both of my "Americas" on disply hanging in my exercise room. I have a second Touring Series V in mint mechanical condition but not as pretty for riding.

Super bike! Easily the equal (if not the better) of ANY production touring bike, including that other one that is
more frequently touted as "best".

Cheers.

Thank you. I would tend to agree!

Julian, I Have a lot of catching up to do in the photography dept. This weather in the northeast doesn't lend itself to outside photo sessions. Plus, what I really want to show off is the '81 Professional that I'd be surprised isn't the finest example in existence, the only thing it was missing is the original box!

Scott

I am still riding a Fuji America! Although it is hardly recognizable as the original item. I have had a couple of extra braze-ons added, repainted it dark red, and upgraded or changed every single part except for the frame and handlebars. But as far as I am concerned, its soul is the same.

I am thinking about having some custom decals made and renaming it the Kluji Fuji -- spelling not yet finalized.

Here it is somewhere in the middle of Iowa during the 2001 RAGBRAI - the last ride of any note I have been on.

148610

Lewis, I hope we get to see more photographs of your America .. you could cobble some decals together from Velocals.com or if it's just the Kluji Fuji you want you can have this place do it:

http://www.bikenames.com/

Scott

My Velo-Cheapo entry was a Fuji America. The frame was a generous gift from Beech 333.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0da11b3127ccef9a8120ef7ef00000030O08UcN27Zs3B7efCA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

My Velo-Cheapo entry was a Fuji America. The frame was a generous gift from Beech 333.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0da11b3127ccef9a8120ef7ef00000030O08UcN27Zs3B7efCA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I'm glad to see it restored and ridden again. You did well Paul, but what do you think of riding it?

For those interested in seeing what it was before he got started, here are some pictures as I got it:

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/beech332/America%20for%20Paul/America.jpg

and after I the removed the cranks/brakes/BB.

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/beech332/America%20for%20Paul/104_0341.jpg
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/beech332/America%20for%20Paul/104_0344.jpg

Beech - I was surprised at how quick it handles. I've been riding older bikes with more relaxed angles, so that could be a reason i think its quick. Very comfortable over rough pavement as well. Its got a good balance of quick handling, shock absorbing, yet stiffness ibn the rear triangle. Reminds me a lot of a Motobecane Le Champion I raced on in the 70's.

...it's "kid brother" ... S-12-S ... 10-speed in 1973 & 12-speed in 1977 & 18-speed in 1981...

1981 18-speed Fuji S-12-S (frame & hubs on this one dated September 1980).
Fuji made great bikes back in the '70s and '80s.
Wouldn't mind stumbling across an America or Touring Series!!!

Lewis, I hope we get to see more photographs of your America .. you could cobble some decals together from Velocals.com or if it's just the Kluji Fuji you want you can have this place do it:

http://www.bikenames.com/

Scott


Awesome! Thank you Scott. I hope to get around to the decals in a few weeks and will take some more pictures of the bike before then. -Lewis

I'd like to add the third chainring to my '80 Fuji Grand Tourer SE. How many teeth on your small chainring and range on your freewheel? Mine has 52/42 on front and about a 14/30 on the rear.

My father bought a Fuji in 1972 that was his first "real" bike. I was always impressed by the quality. I truly missed it when he sold it several years later. I'd love to know where it is today!

I'd like to add the third chainring to my '80 Fuji Grand Tourer SE. How many teeth on your small chainring and range on your freewheel? Mine has 52/42 on front and about a 14/30 on the rear.

FarmallM51, that is a fun question for me!

Currently:
Chainrings: TA Stronglight 47-37-27
Freeewheel: 7-speed 12-28
Front derailleur: Simplex SLJ
Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT

The America originally came with a Sugino Triple, which is long gone. For a couple of years in the early 80's I worked at the Bike & Ski Touring Center in Middlebury, VT (having landed there after wandering through some portion of the the east coast for 3 months). Before heading out on the road again, I re-geared the drive-train. At the time I was riding the beautifully crafted Avocet cranks with 53-41-30 chainrings.

Avocet triple (saved for posterity)
150123

The shop had a Stronglight TA crankset with a damaged left crankarm but a functional right crank. Stronglight TA had chainring options no other manufacturer offered. I ended up with a 47-37-27 triple on the front. I don't recall the specifics of the freewheel, except that it was set-up with at least a 30-tooth cog.

Currently I ride the TA 47-37-27 on the front (still using the Avocet left crankarm) along with a 7-cog 12-28 freewheel on the back. Around year 2000 I switched to a Shimano Deore rear derailleur and pressed a Campy front derailleur into unsatisfying use on the front. Recently I switched to a Simplex SLJ front derailleur, which seems to be working fine. The TA chainrings are somewhat warped at this point, they were never particularly stiff.

The TA triple with the simplex derailleur
150121

Freewheel and rear derailleur
150122

Avocet left crank arm - still on active duty
150124

One more picture for fun. My wife and I spend last weekend on Ocracoke Island in NC. We camped at the national park service campground and biked around a bit. Waiting for the ferry to take us off of the island, we cruised around town and went to see the lighthouse, which has been around for hundreds of years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocracoke_Light).

http://www.cicada.com/lhd/cycling/2010.05.16_ocracoke.jpg