Classic & Vintage - Fuji Opus III off of CL

Picked this guy up off of the local CL (thanks family_belly)

Someone requested pix so here they are:

http://picasaweb.google.com/roguedog8/FujiOpus3B4?authkey=VH4-s63tzW4#slideshow/5300495198023464194

I think I did ok for $50?

She needs to be clean up and massaged with some oil and polish and she'll be looking pretty good, I think. Not perfect but decent with personality.

I don't think she needs a full repaint.. does she? Any other insights to repairs or refurb would be appreciated.

Would anyone know the seatpost size? The one that came with is short and seems to be pretty tight. Not sure it's the orig since the stem wasn't.

Nice score roguedog! :thumb: It actually looks better than it appeared in the crappy CL pictures. Maybe I should have made the 45 min. drive to pick it up myself.:D

I'd clean it up first before considering a full restoration; nice color BTW. Give it an oxlic acid bath to take care of the rust, and as you say, a full massage, then built and ride.

This Fuji site may help with ID of year and component specs (looka like an 1985 model) : http://www.classicfuji.com/


stan

roguedog,

Welcome to the very small Opus Owners Group! (OOG). There's a few of us here on C&V, very few. Mine's an '84, yours looks like a very nice frame for $50. I'm pretty sure you'll find the seat post to be a 26.8. Did you post the serial number on the Fuji Serial Number Database?

Any ideas how you'll build it up?

Scott

I think I did ok for $50?


Absolutely, I'm consumed with envy.

Hey thanks guys.

I actually saw this guy's photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25373440@N00/526168638/in/photostream/) of the Opus and I fell in love. I just love the fork. Just gorgeous.

It looks light and fun to ride.

For now I think I want to make it my singlespeed ride but ideally get parts that when I want to build back up, I can re-use the parts. No fancy Deep Vs. Just a good old fashioned, classy ss ride.

This frame was perfect because it was gorgeous, fast, light, and a frameset waiting to be rescued from being butchered by a college kid. At least I didn't have to "break down" a working bike.

Anyway, I"ll be looking for wheels (rim and flip flop hub), crank, brakes and maybe seat post. Probably a nice nitto stem too. I'd like to keep the understated, elegance of the frame and not bling it all up like some old lady trying to look 30.

Hope that doesn't make you all hate me.

I hardly ever post, but any mention of an Opus III catches my attention.

I have an 84' repainted Opus (60cm). I haven't respaced the rear but rather run a 7 speed shimano with Campy Athena 8 speed shifters. Mavic GL 330 rims with Panaracer tubulars, Sugino mighty crank, Superbe Pro fr der, DiaCompe brakes.

Having a Cannondale CAAD 7, 2003 Raleigh Team edition, allows me to make a pretty fair comparison between vintage steel and modern alum/carbon. The Opus is just so darn comfortable to ride. My CAAD7 is definetly lighter by 3lbs, stiffer, faster in some situations, has 3 more cogs, and better brakes.

These Opus frames seem to be something really special. I can't imagine a new Waterford riding much better. Can anyone comment on how these old frames compare to new tubesets?

ggphysics,

I'd love to see some photos of your repainted Opus and how you handled any replacement decals.

Scott

Hey, what's the rear spacing you guys have? It's 120mm right?