Classic & Vintage - Fuji Sagres

Hello all. Glad to be a new member on such a great forum.

I would like some info on the early eighties Fuji Sagres. The model I have is sky blue, full Suntour drive train, original wheel set, and the frame is steel "Varlite" quadbutting tubing.
Anyone have one of these?
What is the average opinion of this bike?
Is it worth restoring with full paint and original decals?

The bike is in great condition as I am bringing it back to life with a little TLC, cables, and a strip - lube - rebuild. There is some rust but not much to be concerned about right now.

Eventually, I would like to find some nice Italian or French Frame set someday, like the kind that others don't realize what they had and threw out, (this Fuji was a like story). But if that doesn't happen, I will save and have Ted Wojcik build me a custom, (absolutely amazing steel bikes!)

Cheers all.

PS. I also have a FUJI Monteray(?sp) with Suntour/Sugino original parts from the same time period as well if you would like to comment on this bike....

:)

Hello all. Glad to be a new member on such a great forum.

I would like some info on the early eighties Fuji Sagres. The model I have is sky blue, full Suntour drive train, original wheel set, and the frame is steel "Varlite" quadbutting tubing.
Anyone have one of these?
What is the average opinion of this bike?
Is it worth restoring with full paint and original decals?

The bike is in great condition as I am bringing it back to life with a little TLC, cables, and a strip - lube - rebuild. There is some rust but not much to be concerned about right now.

Eventually, I would like to find some nice Italian or French Frame set someday, like the kind that others don't realize what they had and threw out, (this Fuji was a like story). But if that doesn't happen, I will save and have Ted Wojcik build me a custom, (absolutely amazing steel bikes!)

Cheers all.

PS. I also have a FUJI Monteray(?sp) with Suntour/Sugino original parts from the same time period as well if you would like to comment on this bike....

:) Full Suntour means nothing as they made everything from bottom of the barrel to DA quality.I would not waste money on any paint other than from a rattle can. Fujis are just Fujis., nothing special.There were worse.

In about 1980, Fuji moved thier manufacturing to Tiawan, and for a while, thier quality did suffer. Today, they have recovered nicely, and make some very fine bikes. I owned a mid-70's Sagres, and later a '79 Roubaix, and those old bikes rocked!! They were good servicable bikes, and never failed me in any way. Today, my son rides the Roubaix, as I have moved on to Paramounts. Personally, if I found an old Fuji that I liked, I'd fool with it, just because I love to do that!! Nothing like riding on a bike you totally overhauled!!

Is there any way of knowing from the frame where it was built? Also, I made a mistake in the tubing - VALite is the correct title on this bike.
I just finished cleaning it up last night, with new cables and taped the bars this morning - put it on the trainer and was shocked at how smooth the drive train was. Snappy shifts, good feeling brake, solid. Not bad considering I only invested on cables and tape!

I will try to post a photo tomorrow if I can figure out how.

cheers

Is there any way of knowing from the frame where it was built? Also, I made a mistake in the tubing - VALite is the correct title on this bike.
I just finished cleaning it up last night, with new cables and taped the bars this morning - put it on the trainer and was shocked at how smooth the drive train was. Snappy shifts, good feeling brake, solid. Not bad considering I only invested on cables and tape!

I will try to post a photo tomorrow if I can figure out how.

cheers
If it does not say Tiawan on it , it's Japaneese.

The Fuji you are talking about are average in quality. They certainly are not in the level of prestige as 531 Reynolds or Tange 2 or Tange Prestige Ishiwata 022/019 etc etc. BUT I have had the opportunity to own the FUJI Monteray and I have to say they make good solid riders. They are the bluecollar bikes of the bike world. Workhorses. Ride it with pride knowing that they will perform almost just as well as a high end bike for a fraction of the cost.

Happy Miles

OK, I am going to try to post a photo of the bike. I never did this before so please be kind if it doesn't work.
Cheers.

Heck it looks like a fine rider. I've often thought some of the seventies Japanese bikes are severely undervalued, esp. when compared to the prices classic Euro stuff can bring. I've seen some very nice older Fujis and the upper end panasonics from the mid-to-late eighties are beautiful. "Val-lite" is a proprietary Fuji tubing; I've seen it as single, double, and quad butted. My rule of thumb with older bikes is if it's lugged steel, double butted, it's usually worth taking a look at.

Fine lookin' old bike!! I bet that bike will work out just fine for you!! I did my first RAGBRAI on my trusty Roubaix. I remember stopping for a bowl of ice cream and sitting in the shade of a building watching other riders, and I saw a fellow just stopping on his brand new Fuji Finest, and I said "Fuji's rock!" and he smiled...and a fellow seated nearby then pointed out his 25 year old Roubaix. He told me he got gotten that bike for his very first RAGBRAI, and had ridden it every year since then!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to trade in my Waterford-built Paramount, but my first Fujis are the bikes that lit the cycling fire in me, and that is why they were both passed on to others to see if they can work thier magic again!! Looks like you have a fine little bike there, just get out and enjoy it!!

I have a Fuji Del Rey that I bought new in '83. It has quad butted Valite tubing with decent looking lugs and 126mm rear spacing. I still ride it more than any other bike in my "fleet". The only original parts left are the stem, handlebar, and brake calipers. Obviously I've gone through many components since '83. I'm guessing it has about 50k miles on it by now, and the frame still is in great shape and rides well. I have no plan to retire it anytime soon.

The Del Rey was Fuji's top of the line sport tourer at that time and Bicycling Magazine ran a very good piece about it. This was back when Bicycling mag still had credibility. Oh, and by the way, it says "made in Japan" on the headbadge.

I agree with most of the above posters, Fuji's line of sport tourers were fine bikes - workmanlike as they may be.

Yo,
Proceed carefully! Old decals are not easy to find. Rust is another matter.
I use fingernail polish to touch-up nicks in paint.
Yes, the Fuji Sagres is worth restoring, but, tell me: is "Ishiwata" stamped on the steering tube?
I have refurbished a 67.5cm c-c Fuji and I love it:
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/fmeca/Wamsley.html (excuse the ads)