Mountain Biking - Old Fuji MTB Assistance Needed

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olliesdad01
11-20-09, 10:56 PM
Vintage Fuji Suncrest? Any Fuji experts willing to lend a hand in identifying the Fuji frame I took delivery on today?

It's an interesting challenge. The basic information is:
Fuji Suncrest, 22 inches, Tourquoise
Frame is CroMo, Tig Brazed. Top, Head and downubes are 1.25" in diameter
Seat Tube is 1.125
FD & RD are Shimano Deore
Crank is Sakae SX with ramps and guides to facilitate the indexing
Bar mounted Thumb shifters are indexed, and are seperate from grips/levers
Grips and Brake levers are Shimano unit
Front Brakes are Shimano Cantilevers, but much smaller than the Altus
Rear Brakes are Shimano Cantilevers also, and may be U brake type and mount under the BB
The Stem appears to have a vinyl coating in a contrasting color, though it may just be painted

Normally I would attribute the bar shifters to the early 80s, but the fact that they are indexed would seem to pull it forward a bit. The TIG welding of Cro Mo, in my understanding, would bring it serveral years forward. Fuji was an innovative manufacturer, but these incongruities create a mystery for me in any case.

The issues I need assistance with are 1) Approximate date of manufacture; and 2) The number of freewheel cogs it came with. Or, you may be able to share sources to this information.

Dannihilator
11-20-09, 11:10 PM
You have a mutt on your hands.

Nothing that I have found on bikepedia had a spec that matched what you posted.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1994&Brand=Fuji&Model=Suncrest&Type=bike
JonnyV
11-21-09, 04:14 PM
pull the serial number from the bb housing. I'll call my Fuji rep monday and get you all the information you want.
Jon

olliesdad01
11-21-09, 10:01 PM
Thanks to all for the assistance in tracking down info on my Fuji Suncrest.

I have learned that the Fuji was made in June of 1985, but does not show up until the 1987 Catalog. This confirms Sheldon Brown's description of the hard times that fell upon Fuji, and the Japanese bike manufactures in general during this period.

Developing this kind of information is not an easy task. So to assist others, here are some links I have used.

Bike Pedia http://www.bikepedia.com
Provides specifications, msrp and other information for bicycles marketed from 1993 forward. With the Fuji, the first date of manufacture listed was 1994. I knew better, the frame was in my livingroom! Next stop for info was Sheldon's.

Sheldon Brown http://www.sheldonbrown.com
Wide ranging information from technical to vintage bikes. The links he provided for included one to my next stop...

Classic Rendezvous, http://www.classicrendezvous.com
World wide assemblage of vintage racing bikes sorted by country. Information on my Fuji came from this location primarily. The serial number encoding was explained unravelling a number of questions. Scans of catalogs prior to 1993 unravelled the rest.

Thanks again, and good hunting!
Svr
11-22-09, 06:29 PM
Everything points to a 1987 model-- The indexed six speed uniglide Deore group, and the under the chainstay U-brake. None of those parts were available in 1985, so I doubt Fuji would build a frame that required a two year wait for the proper components.