Classic & Vintage - 80s Fuji

I recently got a Fuji Berkeley from a thrift store by my school, and I've been riding it and caring for it. So far I'm pretty sure it's mid-80s (there's a Hampden-Sydney College registration sticker from '86). It's got some rusty Sugino cranks, Suntour derailers/shifters/dropouts(?), old-style Dia-Compe caliper brakes and levers, and Nitto stem and handlebars, and 27" rims. The decal on the side says it's made from "Fuji VALite Tubing." So far I really enjoy riding it; it's not heavy and it feels pretty good. Does anyone know anything about this bike?

NO! But the from the sounds of the components it seems to be a mid level bike. A lot of Japanese bike companies mixed Sugino with Dia Comp with either Suntour or Shimano and Nitto stems and bars in their mid range bikes. The Suntour setup is better than the Shimano would have been for that time period. If the Suntour is the VG series (if you give me the series I can tell you more about it) that is a good clue it's mid-end. The frame I don't know anything about, but probably mid-end. The only thing throwing me off is the Sugino crank that's rusty, this means it's made of steel which is very low end, so the bike could be lower than I think but then the frame would be heavier then what your describing-around 30 pounds equipped. If the frame is not that heavy then you probably have a decent and very reliable bike you paid very little for. It's possible the original crank was damaged and someone replaced it with a cheap steel one just to get it running...maybe at the thrift store?

(there's a Hampden-Sydney College registration sticker from '86). Does anyone know anything about this bike?

I know I wouldn't be caught dead riding a bike with an HSC sticker on it. But hey, knowing the money those boys throw around Farmville, somebody probably paid some coin for that bike back in the day.

I have this bike too. I got it last year from a friend. I am curious to know how much it cost back whenever the person bought it. I have been looking for information on this bike too.

yeah, it's a mystery... recently i saw some kind of dirty-looking guy riding one with some messed up-looking handlebars and some plastic bags or something. it's the only other one i've seen in person. i'm guessing it was kind of lower end, but the frame feels pretty good, and i really do like riding it. it's gradually getting stripped down. i've gotten a lot of compliments too. nice find, and welcome.

I like it pretty well, too. I am in the process of overhauling mine. It was in great shape when I got it, but I thought it could use some modern parts. I put a new saddle on it and plan on putting crank and chainring set on it. Its light and fun to ride.

Found this forum only today while looking for info on Fuji Berkely, that my son got from his relative who knows nothing about the bike (given to them by neighbor for a garage sale). Has a 1984 UofOklahoma bike permit on it so is either that year model or older, has Suntour parts (don't know what series), and the crank as well of the entire frame is not rusty, just a little dirty and faded in the paint. Has matching fenders, front and rear lights powered by a generator that still works. Just wanted to know if you have any idea of its replacement value and whether they still have parts for it. Appears to be a classic.

Fuji VALite tubing was their propietary vanadium steel alloy and made pretty decent frames. I have a trashpile find Fuji Espree that I built up as a hybrid and use for a comuter/townie/backroad bomber, flat bars and cyclocross tires, quite comfy. Save it from the crusher!

I have a 20 year old Fuji UltraLite Touring 4. It cost about $600 new.
They work in different shops now, but I know both the guy that sold it, and the guy that assembled it. Your bike prob cost something close to that, a little more, a little less, it's not important. I'd replace those cranks with new Sugino aluminum cranks. I did that, it didn't cost much. Make sure the wheels are not steel, steel is bad news. I could tell you a dozen other things I did with the bike. But I spent WAY too much money. The Brooks
B17 Champion Special in British Racing Green was a classy touch tho, if I say so. And I greatly prefer the bar end shifters to down tube shifters. And the new Salsa Poco handlebar, Nitto Technomic stem, Conti TT 2000 tires, and dual 5 watt Vistalite halogens. Oooops, guess I told you anyway :eek:

Sounds like a great bike. Definitely change the cranks though.

I had a nice riding Fuji in the 80's. I can't recall the model, it was a low to mid level bike, but it rode nice.

I bought a Fuji Royale from a garage sale about a month ago. it needs a a few new parts and has a frozen chain linkbut, the frame is in great shape and the bike is very light. I believe it is from the 80's also.

Can anybody give me some info on this model?

Thanks

I have a fuji s-12 converted to fix gear, its got all japanese parts and ride really nice for as old as it is.

Taz Fuji Royale was a solid early/mid 80's "sports tourer" with cro-moly tubing,lugged frame with most other components as described above for the Berkeley .I have owned one since the early/mid 80's and put many thousands of miles on it (most of it lately touring or hauling groceries or other loads) and it continues to be a reliable workhorse.Fuji actually had a better reputation for quality back then as the bikes were produced in Japan and well made and due to a favorable exchange rate they were still able to flood the US market with sports tourers at a reasonable price.I believe the bike new was in the $500-600 range probably mid-level on a quality range.I also believe they still make a Royale as a hybrid which most of the sports tourers of that day have now basically evolved into.Here is an interesting article from Sheldon Brown on the early/mid 80's Japanese sports tourer invasion http://www.sheldonbrown.com/japan.html#invasion

Personally I would get it running and enjoy riding it but not sink alot of money into restoring it(but then that is me lol) .I recently replaced the drivetrain on mine fairly cheaply but other than that it is basically all the original components.It is not really a light speedy racer but has more of a stable touring geometry good for long distances in the saddle with decent load carrying capability with dropout attachments for a rear rack though no seatstay or other frame brazeons.

Thanks for the info. No I wasn't going to put alot of money into it. I am going to just fix the chain, a new rear brake cable and a new front chain guide.
It is a large frame and fits me perfectly.
I bought it for $20 at a garage sale.

That's a good deal particularly seeing that you like to repair older bikes .I've grown really attached to mine.I doubt I would part with it at any price.I did manage to buy it 20 years ago though for $25 from a friend.He never rode it while I borrowed and rode it nearly every day so when he needed some quick cash selling the bike to me was probably a good deal on his part lol.

I am thinking of changing my Fuji Royale to a Fixed Gear/SS.

The bike right now has a frozen chain link and a broken front derailer.

Any comments and ideas would help.

I just aquired a Fuji Royale from a friend for free, It's got Ukai rims, suntour hubs Sugino crank, Dia-compe brakes... The Lugged steel frame is actually a little too big for me. I have a long torso so the top tube length is about right but, the standover hieght is too tall... I can flatfoot it but the Toptube is touching my boys. Is this bike worth putting any money into as far as new components go? Are they even compatable? Shifters mainly...I hate the Downtube design shifters!

Hi,
fit when you're riding is what counts. Standover is nice, but not absolutely neccesary. I had bar end shifters put on my Fuji.
I am not famililar with the Royale, so I can't tell you anything there.

I just aquired a Fuji Royale from a friend for free, It's got Ukai rims, suntour hubs Sugino crank, Dia-compe brakes... The Lugged steel frame is actually a little too big for me. I have a long torso so the top tube length is about right but, the standover hieght is too tall... I can flatfoot it but the Toptube is touching my boys. Is this bike worth putting any money into as far as new components go? Are they even compatable? Shifters mainly...I hate the Downtube design shifters!

Sounds like the frame size would fit me. I am 6'2" and I don't need to raise the seat.

Mine has a broken rear brake cable and a broken front derailer and a frozen link in the chain. So, I am going to convert it to a cheap single speed for now and later into a Fixie/SS.

I have riden mine a few blocks and for a big bike it rides very nice.

I found a fixed gear website and saw other Fuji bikes on the site and figured miy Royale is from 1979 based on the style and decals on the bike.