Classic & Vintage - Help ID My Fuji!

hi all,
i found this sweet little 12 speed ride on CL for $30! the tires spin true and it shifts nicely but could use a tuneup. the only markings are the Fuji badge on the steering head and fuji on the front forks. no model designation. i tried to ID it on classic fuji but the serial# doesn't match any info there. the serial# is F79A0131. TIA

Looks like a nice find for $30...

Drive side pictures are always preferred.

Date codes from components may be helpful in establishing an age. Many can be found at http://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm even for bikes that aren't Treks.

With stem shifters, it is probably a low end bike, but still a nice find at the price you paid.

Without seeing additional photos I'll take a stab at a mid '70's Sports 10. However, even there I'm seeing things that don't tally. The shape of the fork crown lug and what appears to be gold lug lining on the head tube.

Where was the serial number located, BB or on the side of the seat tube?

Scott

195016here's a drive side pic. what additional pics would be helpful? i looked at all the catalog pictures on classicfuji and i couldn't find this bike. the serial# was on the bottom of the crank housing. where are datecodes on the components? i'll come up with a component list. there is gold trim on all the frame edges.

Close up of the head tube lugs, the seat tube area and the bottom bracket cable routing would help. Nice crankset, there's your $30 right there.

Scott

Without seeing additional photos I'll take a stab at a mid '70's Sports 10. However, even there I'm seeing things that don't tally. The shape of the fork crown lug and what appears to be gold lug lining on the head tube.

Where was the serial number located, BB or on the side of the seat tube?

Scott

I'll go '79 Sports 10 in Ocean Blue based on the crankset, serial, and lug lining :)

EDIT: if you look at the full size pic of the 79 Sports 10L...it's in the blue color and the lugs are definitely gold-lined.

Hey Swamione

Any running road bike for $30 is a great buy. Are you planning on riding it as is? Looks like a decent lugged steel frame from the 70's to potentially put a few bucks into. Or ride as is and enjoy it.

I think the area you are referring to as crank housing is called the bottom bracket shell. Also, I believe what you are referring to as frame edges are painted trim on the outer section where the lugs meet the tubes.

I am no Fuji expert, but I've seen and ridden many older ones and it doesn't look like a Sports 10 to me (it's also 12sp). I believe that typically when a bike has Sport in the title, it's usually on the lower end of a production line. The stem mounted shifters (as previously mentioned) are typically on lower end bikes. Same with the clamp on derailleur mount. Also, your brakes are not the typical dia compes I see on better older Fujis.

If you are trying to find more info on the bike, figure out what the derailleurs are called. It should say right on them. Also, it looks like there might be a logo on the crank arm that I can't make out. Are there any stickers or decals of any kind you can share?

Are you sure you've got the serial # correct? Try rubbing some wax or a crayon in a contrasting color to blue on the lettering to see the numbers more clearly.

There's a Fuji expert whose username I can't recall. I bet he can ID it in seconds. Check C&V appraisals for it. Good luck!

Gran Tourer is the only one with that crank and stem shifters. No idea about the color.

^^ Khatfull would be that Fuji expert I spoke of.

Gran Tourer is the only one with that crank and stem shifters. No idea about the color.

http://classicfuji.com/Sports10_1979_PageB.htm

^^ Khatfull would be that Fuji expert I spoke of.

No, Scottryder is the real expert...he knows most of the stuff out of his head....I have to use the catalogs for most things...for now :)

http://classicfuji.com/Sports10_1979_PageB.htm

That crank isn't fluted (or whatever it is called) like the OP's crank.

Also the OP said it was a 12 speed, which the Gran Tourer is.

Keith, the Sports 10 specs say that a steel crank, the Op's doesn't look like one to me .. it looks like a Super Maxy.

Scott

Keith, the Sports 10 specs say that a steel crank, the Op's doesn't look like one to me .. it looks like a Super Maxy.

Scott

Maybe a crank change? That's definitely a Suntour Seven RD which was speced on the Sports 10. Does look like a Super Maxy now that we have the DS pic.

Obviously some modification has been done as there's no turkey levers either. They and stem shifters go together like bread and butter right?

An oddity...doesn't match any of the catalog specs in any case. Repaint of a Gran Tourer? :)

The catalogs are pretty accurate when it comes to what colors were available .. I mean, have you ever seen a black Professional?? :lol:

Scott

The catalogs are pretty accurate when it comes to what colors were available .. I mean, have you ever seen a black Professional?? :lol:

Scott

Had to go there... :)

Had to go there... :)

Somebody fill me in.

Just commenting on the risks of identifying a frame strictly based on it's color in the catalog. For example, black Professionals were never produced as far as catalog specs were concerned. However, this one did slip out:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1976%20Fuji%20Professional%20Black%20and%20Grey/IMG_1070.jpg

Scott

195104195103195100195099195098195097195096195095thanks for all the help guys. here's some more pics. the shifters are suntour. the bike weighs 21 ponds. i need to take a toothbrush and some polish to this when the weather gets better. i bought some continental ultrasports, a fuji velo ergo seat and new brake pads. what would be some other mod suggestions? TIA

Typicall low level Fuji. Hi-ten frame, low level components. Nice grab for $30.00, but has little to no value. I would check your scale again. It's probably more like 31 pounds.

Sugino Idol? Suntour Alpine Gear? Sakae Randnner?

Somebody built that from parts, doesn't match any catalog Fuji.

the bike weighs 21 pounds! i looked at almost every catalog by year looking for bikes with red tape and a blue frame but i couldn't find anything in that weight class. the serial# is very deeply stamped and easy to read.

Please take a picture of that serial number. When you do, please use your Macro Setting so that it comes out clear. For best results, take the bike outside while it is daylight, and do not use the camera's flash.

195188195187195186please find the serial# closeup pic. the derailleur is suntour AG. the guy i bought this from said he used to race BMX pro back in the day (he was about 40) and bought this bike to restore but had recently had back surgery and his doctor recommended that he give up two wheel pursuits. TIA

I'm going to say it's a late 79/early 80 Grand Tourer SE. It appears to have a mix of the 79 serial number with the plant stamped in front of it.

Still a nice catch for 30 bucks.

I owned a 1979 Fuji Gran Tourer that has the serial number of F79D5996. It was made in April 1979.

With the serial number of F79A0131, your bike was made in January 1979. Your bike can only be an Ocean Blue Sports 10 that has it's components changed out.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_FfM_jO4_Tm0/TY9CBeap0EI/AAAAAAAADQI/elYT04vYYVA/s1152/1979%252012%2520Sports%252010%2520and%2520Sports%252010L.jpg

i believe you're correct! i had a funny feeling it was an amalgamation. the alloy rims,crankset and handlebars sure make a difference in weight. i was just looking for a inexpensive cardio training bike to supplement my '09 Ninja ZX6R. thanks everybody for their help!
now anybody got any suggestions for additional mods?

i was just looking for a inexpensive cardio training bike to supplement my '09 Ninja ZX6R.

I've ridden a ZX-6R and thought that itself was enough of a cardio workout.

i wonder where i can get some cable keepers for the top tube and a fuji water bottle? TIA

Cable clips are available many places. Someone on Ebay has these. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Dia-Compe-Bicycle-Frame-Cable-Housing-Clips-lot-/190513647376?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c5b7f8f10

A decent vintage Fuji water bottle will be a bit tougher to find.