Classic & Vintage - New addition to the stable, 72 (73) Fuji Newest

Here's the most recently completed stable addition. The bike came as a partial from eBay, beech333 tipped me off to it one night/early morning and I just happened to be on the computer to see his e-mail. Took about 20 minutes to decide but I decided it had to be mine.

The frame came as you see it here in the eBay auction pic:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/bfpost/auction1.jpg

Missing a lot of items, notably the wheels, seatpost saddle, pedals. It also had upgraded calipers, levers, and RD, Superbe Pro for both. Here's a better pic of the before (minus the RD and chain...and ugly workroom blurred out to save face!):

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/bfpost/fromebay.jpg

I decided that this bike was going back to stock as much as I possibly could. However the serial indicates this to be a 72 frame but some of the parts were from the 73 spec sheet. I decided to build it up as the 73, hence my calling it a 72 (73) :).

Scott needed the Superbe bits for which I traded him several of the stock parts I needed. Bought a couple, including an original wheelset and the stem. I found the pedals, seatpost, and original pump umbrella at a local used bike store where they had parted out a crashed 72-74 Finest! It's bits live on in my bike :) The headset from that bike also went to Scott for a project...which offset the cost of a few other parts. Found the Primus pump at another used bike shop. Scott graciously gifted me the original saddle but I have to agree with him, by all indications it's an ass hatchet and will be used for photos only....but who knows. :)

Decals came from JR at VeloCals. I decided to leave the "The Finest" and "ever onward" decals original which was Matt's suggestion to retain some of the originality in the bike.

Anyway, here's what the catalog says a 73 Newest should look like:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/bfpost/catalog.jpg

And, finally, here's my bike:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/bfpost/newestdone4.jpg

It's been around the block, yesterday, while streets were dry....and of course now we have several inches more snow. When spring comes all my bikes will get a new photo shoot but, for now, indoor will have to do. If anyone would like to see another view let me know and I'll post more pics.

As always, comments and criticism welcome.

very nice build. i'm pretty jealous.

-rob

That is just lovely Khatfull. Your bike looks like it was used in the catalog shoot ( but now I'm sure it's shinier! )

Where are the "ever onward" decals?

That is just lovely Khatfull. Your bike looks like it was used in the catalog shoot ( but now I'm sure it's shinier! )

Where are the "ever onward" decals?

Chainstays...

Thanks to you both!

Sweeeet. But where's the snazzy USCF water bottle? :)

Well, I watched this process from day one and I know the time and energy that went into it. Keith, you have an amazing ability to see right through what something looks like on the outside (those eBay photos were pretty bad) and transform it into pure beauty. I remember looking at it thinking..."really?" And now, it's just as beautiful as the others you've built. Fine work indeed and it's rather inspiring. Or, maybe you just have to have EVER Fuji you come across, I don't know. I think this may be my favorite bike of yours.

-Collin-

Sweeeet. But where's the snazzy USCF water bottle? :)

Working on a bottle cage plan that doesn't involve marring decals....and a search for a bottle continues.

Oooooh! That's a beaut! I suppose the rear brake housing angle could be a little smoother at the seatpost, but that's nitpicking (I see the catalog photo is like that, but I disagree with Fuji on that one). Clips and straps? If so, I'll donate some leather for you to sew on the clips. It's only 99% accurate to the catalog pic as of now, may as well go whole hog, right? Can't wait to see outdoor pics.

I can hear Burl Ives singing "Silver and chrome. Silver and chrome. Everyone wishes for silver and chrome."

Oooooh! That's a beaut! I suppose the rear brake housing angle could be a little smoother at the seatpost, but that's nitpicking (I see the catalog photo is like that, but I disagree with Fuji on that one). Clips and straps? If so, I'll donate some leather for you to sew on the clips. It's only 99% accurate to the catalog pic as of now, may as well go whole hog, right? Can't wait to see outdoor pics. I can hear Burl Ives singing "Silver and chrome. Silver and chrome. Everyone wishes for silver and chrome."

And that's why it's there....I could be convinced otherwise though :) Thanks!!

Awesome. They keep getting better and better.

Well, I watched this process from day one and I know the time and energy that went into it. Keith, you have an amazing ability to see right through what something looks like on the outside (those eBay photos were pretty bad) and transform it into pure beauty. I remember looking at it thinking..."really?" And now, it's just as beautiful as the others you've built. Fine work indeed and it's rather inspiring. Or, maybe you just have to have EVER Fuji you come across, I don't know. I think this may be my favorite bike of yours. -Collin-

Yeah dude....I never know how to respond to your posts about my bikes....you always know as much about them as I do and we DO tend to blow sunshine up each other's #@$%^& about our bikes right? :)

But seriously, thanks a ton. I hope one day you'll be able to visit and ride some of these things you're nearly as emotionally invested in as I am, haha! :)

That is an amazing looking bike!! Nice work!! May i ask, what size and type of stem is that and where did you get it?

thanks

~andy

Gotta watch those Ebay lots.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=180597769948&si=zTyESc8sFLgFtGlKOxcT7Behq6U%253D&viewitem=

http://i.ebayimg.com/01/!B+Zd(ygCWk~$(KGrHqN,!l0Ey+jC1BLCBM+i7G,lQ!~~_12.JPG

Nice job. Really nice.

That is an amazing looking bike!! Nice work!! May i ask, what size and type of stem is that and where did you get it?

thanks

~andy

Nitto Pearl G. They came in a black anodized version as well and are very hard to come across. I suspect Scott sent it to him.

Edit: Ah, here are the pics.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=167804&d=1283358703
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=167805&d=1283358765

Beautiful restoration. I always admire the care you take with your builds. :thumb:


If anyone would like to see another view let me know and I'll post more pics.

I do! I do!

Another beautiful rehab...

Silver and red look real nice together. Nice work Keith

Gotta watch those Ebay lots.[/IMG]

So, that begs the question...did you buy that lot? If so, want to trade an I Love My Fuji bag? :)


Nitto Pearl G. They came in a black anodized version as well and are very hard to come across. I suspect Scott sent it to him.

Scott sold it to me, yes.

That is an amazing looking bike!! Nice work!! May i ask, what size and type of stem is that and where did you get it? ~andy

Beech beat me to it but yes, Nitto Pearl G, and Scott.

Oddly, I picked up an SR Royal stem at the used store last Friday...pretty much the spittin' image of the Pearl G, just a little different finish.


Nice job. Really nice.

Much obliged!


Beautiful restoration. I always admire the care you take with your builds. :thumb: I do! I do!

I'll take a few more, but inside is just so horribly boring.


Another beautiful rehab... Silver and red look real nice together. Nice work Keith

Thanks Roger. I'll let Fuji take the credit for the aesthetics...it was them, not me. :)

Man - OH - MAN - What a great job - This is what its all about...

Man that's nice! Another fine Fuji you have there.
+1 for the bigger pics and close ups.

Great job-

Ok, more pics...no particular order...

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest3.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest4.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest5.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest6.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest7.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest8.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest9.jpg

That really is a nice build.

That's cool bike. I'm finishing up a '72 bike as well, but nowhere near this "to spec".

Geez, that is really nice. Stunning! Perfect! The ever onward decal is pretty neat... the font is a bit tragic... but it's still cool.

FWIW, I think the rear brake cable bit looks just fine.

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/detail/newest2.jpg



I like this one. Excellent attention to detail. It's been fun watching you build this impressive quiver.

Beautiful. Those red-lined, chromed lugs are stunning. Thanks for the added pics!

Decals came from JR at VeloCals. I decided to leave the "The Finest" and "ever onward" decals original which was Matt's suggestion to retain some of the originality in the bike.


Keith, great job, I'm glad I was able to play a part in it's build ... Now I admit, the Newest is one of your finest but aren't you getting you're collection mixed up? :D

Scott

Keith, great job, I'm glad I was able to play a part in it's build ... Now I admit, the Newest is one of your finest but aren't you getting you're collection mixed up? :D Scott

Duh, of course. Thanks for pointing that out! :twitchy:

Dang!, I'm so jealous of your collection. I lusted for a Fuji Newest just like yours that hung from the ceiling over the cash register in our local Fuji shop back in the early eighties. I'm not sure if it was ever for sale. Wish I would have made him an offer before it disappeared after a remodel or move. Can't remember which. The only thing different I can see is the crankbolt dust caps were anodized red on the bike hanging in the shop. I noticed your catalog shows them in silver. Makes me wonder if they were stock that way.

You never fail to impress!

Dang!, I'm so jealous of your collection. I lusted for a Fuji Newest just like yours that hung from the ceiling over the cash register in our local Fuji shop back in the early eighties. I'm not sure if it was ever for sale. Wish I would have made him an offer before it disappeared after a remodel or move. Can't remember which. The only thing different I can see is the crankbolt dust caps were anodized red on the bike hanging in the shop. I noticed your catalog shows them in silver. Makes me wonder if they were stock that way.

On the '71's they were stock red, in the following years they would have been either red or silver. I use silver on my '74:

http://vintagefuji.posterous.com/1974-fuji-newest

Scott

And to think just over a year ago, Keith was just sticking his toe in the water.


Greetings...usual poster over in Road...

I have an '09 CAAD9, great bike, I love it, wouldn't trade it for the world.

But I have the hankering for a steel bike, just to see the difference between the ride in AL and steel...and to see what all the hype's about :)

So, for a guy on a budget, what are some bikes one might look for? I'd want to look for something with brifters rather than downtube or bar end shifters...just because that's what I'm used to.

One bike I've come across that seems to fit the bill are the 1999-2000 Schwinn Peloton/Peloton Pro. How C&V that is is up to interpretation I suppose given a 10-11 year old age.

Given something like that as a starting point can you fine folks recommend something else I might be on the lookout for?

Thanks!

And almost to the day last year:


I hope so, I'm looking at this in the morning:

1988 Fuji Tivoli. The low end of the Fuji race line but still Tange Infinity. Hopefully it will be fairly clean as my first C&V project. I'm seeing white saddle, tape, and housings. Heck, the yellow is intriguing too.

Corrupted through and through :lol:

Tugrul, that's awesome!!!


Scott

I have an '09 CAAD9, great bike, I love it, wouldn't trade it for the world.

:lol: Officially, which bike would you consider this was this traded for?



Let's see...over the last year, you planned to keep:

CAAD 9 - gone?
Tivoli - gone
Club(1985) - gone
Club(1989) - gone
Tiara - soon to be gone???
Touring Series III
frame from out West(have you publicly mentioned this one yet?)
America
Newest
Finest

Are you still looking for that Tivoli? I'm just wondering if you still have a soft spot for them, much like Scott and I do for the S10-S & SRR.

And to think just over a year ago, Keith was just sticking his toe in the water.

Corrupted through and through :lol:

Yeah, corrupted by the likes of Ryder, Beecher, et. al. :) Crap, lately they're even dragging me away from my late 80's bikes.


:lol: Officially, which bike would you consider this was this traded for?

Pick one...it doesn't matter at this point :)


Let's see...over the last year, you planned to keep:

CAAD 9 - gone? (yep...)
Tivoli - gone (yes, was too small anyway)
Club(1985) - gone (yep, again, too small)
Club(1989) - gone (yes, a snap decision and would still be around if it wasn't for the "frame from out west")
Tiara - soon to be gone??? (we'll see...that boat hasn't sailed yet)
Touring Series III (keep as long as there's room at the inn)
frame from out West(have you publicly mentioned this one yet?) (not really, but soon when she comes back from the East)
America (not going anywhere in the foreseeable future...it would take a lot to knock it out of the stable....a lot)
Newest (just like the America, I see it pretty much as a permanent resident)
Finest (not built yet but I like what I see so far...)


Are you still looking for that Tivoli? I'm just wondering if you still have a soft spot for them, much like Scott and I do for the S10-S & SRR.

I loved that color of blue...was simply stunning out in the sunlight. If a 58-61 came along I might consider it for a single speed. I was going to do that with the green one I picked up to harvest the rims for the America from but I realized it was a 64 and not a 61....just too tall.

I would have considered a SRR in white if one showed up, but with the arrival of the Finest in white... :)

Yeah, you guys have thoroughly corrupted me...Matt you get to take some extra blame too. A Newest really wasn't being considered at this point but now that I have it I simply love it. I hope getting some miles on it will only reinforce that as well. The 0.4 miles around the block Sunday really doesn't count. Did get the spokes seated though... :) I'll probably chuck it up in the trainer to stress the rear wheel some more too.

Were you already in negotiations for the Finest when I mentioned the Newest? (very strange sentence to write/type)

Were you already in negotiations for the Finest when I mentioned the Newest? (very strange sentence to write/type)

No, but the opportunity presented shortly thereafter. When it rains...

I, for one, hope you keep the Tiara. It's so cool, and so you.

I, for one, hope you keep the Tiara. It's so cool, and so you.

Hmmmm...I'll have to ruminate on that one a bit :D

. . . . much like Scott and I do for the S10-S & SRR.

My LBS has a good looking S12-S LTD. I dig the color scheme. The rear brake cable is too long and I'm not sure why he didn't put replacement hoods on it.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yLjiECcyDIA/TUXedapc7kI/AAAAAAAAApI/kgmsJUMtY1k/s1600/FujiS12_fullside.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yLjiECcyDIA/TUXdv10IGYI/AAAAAAAAApA/NzkNlYk2nro/s1600/FujiS12_crank.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yLjiECcyDIA/TUXdvSAjJzI/AAAAAAAAAo4/nLjX2F8kO8o/s1600/FujiS12_derail.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yLjiECcyDIA/TUXdvOdAXgI/AAAAAAAAAow/jXNbAsQbxIE/s1600/Fuji_headbadge.jpg

I never fail to be impressed with efforts such as this, especially when I, like many of you here, have a real soft spot for vintage Fujis. It's something I will always remember when I used to look at a pair of them in Winnipeg where I grew up. It was specifically during 1972-74 that local bike shop was a Fuji dealer and a dark blue and silver pair were on display at one time, a Newest and a Finest. Looking at your example sure brings back the memories.

Hmmmm...I'll have to ruminate on that one a bit :D

I recommend keeping the Tiara over the TS III. Teasing you over that one has been too much fun and after enduring it so long, it deserves to stay.

How much true touring do you plan on doing?

I recommend keeping the Tiara over the TS III. How much true touring do you plan on doing?

Meh. It's good to diversify your portfolio, right? ;)

I recommend keeping the Tiara over the TS III. Teasing you over that one has been too much fun and after enduring it so long, it deserves to stay.

How much true touring do you plan on doing?

Well the "frame from the west" renders the Tiara totally redundant functionally. That's about the only reason. I'd still like to have the TSIII for messy weather.


Meh. It's good to diversify your portfolio, right? ;)

Of course....when you see what's in the pipeline, hopefully by the end of the month, you'll find my portfolio VERY diverse. :thumb:

Just a new pic after adding the bottle cage and changing my office lights to daylight balanced CFLs (no flash!!) :)

I lined the bottle cage clamps with rubber from a very thin Bontrager tube I had, using gel super glue to attach it. I also padded the cage itself where it would touch the frame. The rubber keeps it from marring and at the same time the clamps need to be tightened far less. I think it worked out great.

Yeah, the bottle cage is a TA cage, but it's what came with the bike and I'll leave it as a homage to the OO. Hopefully in a week or so I'll have something fun to put in it :innocent:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/beautifulness.jpg

Outstanding work, as usual.

Just for posterity, what are the dimensions?

Just for posterity, what are the dimensions?

I shall measure up tonight and post for you.