Classic & Vintage - Fuji "The Ace"

Time capsule 1976 Fuji "The Ace". The story goes it was hanging in a shop 35 years.

Behold!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/5768192882_f8041f07e7_b.jpg

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Wow.. Beautiful

http://classicfuji.com/1976_04_AceB.htm

Welcome to the brotherhood!!! :) Many of us Fuji folks were eyeing it. Had it been the first year model you would have been competing with me :)

It's stunning...better than I imagined from the pics. Congrats and enjoy!

Welcome to the brotherhood!!! :) Many of us Fuji folks were eyeing it. Had it been the first year model you would have been competing with me :)

It's stunning...better than I imagined from the pics. Congrats and enjoy!

Thank you! I figured one of you guys were going to strike! : ) I could not believe how clean it was when I picked it up.

I have been lucky to find three "as new" Fuji's.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/4625099575_300c3e7b42_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2799959409_b45b483686_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/5768192722_c30b4e80e9_b.jpg

Drop dead gorgeous bicycle. I was lucky enough to find a Fuji The Ace (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Japan/Fuji_The_Ace/FUJI_THE_ACE_1_Start.htm) a couple of years ago. I loved the bike but it was too big for me. I sold it to a fellow in the US who loves the bike...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Japanese_Bicycles/Fuji_Bicycles/Fiji_TheAce/FugiTheAceFullTQFront.jpg

beautiful Fuji.

beautiful Fuji.

Thank you. My collecting strategy has been to buy Fuji's that strike a cord.

Drop dead gorgeous bicycle. I was lucky enough to find a Fuji The Ace (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Japan/Fuji_The_Ace/FUJI_THE_ACE_1_Start.htm) a couple of years ago. I loved the bike but it was too big for me. I sold it to a fellow in the US who loves the bike...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Japanese_Bicycles/Fuji_Bicycles/Fiji_TheAce/FugiTheAceFullTQFront.jpg

Nice, too bad it was too big.

cool. interesting they put the water bottle mounts on the seat tube and not the downtube. i think i like this setup better.

So is that the one that was hanging at BikeTech in Detroit? If not there is another one out there.. :D

So is that the one that was hanging at BikeTech in Detroit? If not there is another one out there.. :D

The 22.5" Ace I saw hanging at BikeTech was in about 80% condition. My bike is almost NOS. When I picked it up it looked "brand new". The BikeTech bike, not so much.

The story goes it was hanging in a shop 35 years.

My god how does that even happen? Stunning. Have you made any changes at all or is this how you bought it?

Dear lord that stem!

My god how does that even happen? Stunning. Have you made any changes at all or is this how you bought it?

The original owner gave me brown tape to replace the Grab-on foam grips and I changed the hoods and tires. Just a wipe-down and TLC!

Dear lord that stem!


LoL I know! I said the same thing when I first saw it!

Ok, now you need to discover that almost new "Newest"! An affordable one ....

That is undoubtably the most perfect specimen of an Ace I've seen, well done!

Scott

The 22.5" Ace I saw hanging at BikeTech was in about 80% condition. My bike is almost NOS. When I picked it up it looked "brand new". The BikeTech bike, not so much.

That's what I thought. Sad scratch in the top tube. He has some real potential bikes in there though. He picked up a Rochet track bike the other day. Beautiful bike. (yours and the Rochet.. :D )

I'll bet you didn't get yours for a dollar:lol:!!! I have not taken after pics of the $1 Ace yet. I finished it yesterday morning, and it is drop dead beautiful. I wish I had that saddle, and the frame pump. Hell of a find! Lemme check my battery, and take a few pics, hehe.,,,,BD

Ok, now you need to discover that almost new "Newest"! An affordable one ....

That is undoubtably the most perfect specimen of an Ace I've seen, well done!

Scott

LoL! Yes...definitely! Affordable is the key!

Thank you.

I'll bet you didn't get yours for a dollar:lol:!!! I have not taken after pics of the $1 Ace yet. I finished it yesterday morning, and it is drop dead beautiful. I wish I had that saddle, and the frame pump. Hell of a find! Lemme check my battery, and take a few pics, hehe.,,,,BD


I would love to see it!

That's what I thought. Sad scratch in the top tube. He has some real potential bikes in there though. He picked up a Rochet track bike the other day. Beautiful bike. (yours and the Rochet.. :D )

He does have some real gems. He has some stuff that is worth the price of a small car!

Yep, it was a dollar. Frame, fork, half a headset, right side crank, brakes/bars/levers, and some useless wheels(need rebuilding) I got some old logo Campy low flange hubs, and a dura ace freewheel on the wheels though. The most amazing part. I HAD the exact derailleur set this bike came with in my stash. Just had to throw them on:D.,,,,BD

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/5772598058_1c42d52a63.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5772598062_daeb194fff.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/5772598070_a9e5468374.jpg

Yep, it was a dollar. Frame, fork, half a headset, right side crank, brakes/bars/levers, and some useless wheels(need rebuilding) I got some old logo Campy low flange hubs, and a dura ace freewheel on the wheels though. The most amazing part. I HAD the exact derailleur set this bike came with in my stash. Just had to throw them on:D.,,,,BD

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/5772598058_1c42d52a63.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5772598062_daeb194fff.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/5772598070_a9e5468374.jpg


"I'd buy that for a dollar!" It turned out real nice!

Thanks, but it's not done yet. I have some tan cork wrap on the way, which may or may not get shellac:D.,,,,BD

BD, I've got a spare saddle from a '76 Ace. It's not as dark as Vette's but I think they tended to fade in sun light. The one on my '74 is the same.

PM me if you'd like to take a look see ..

Vette and Bikedued, congratulations for both of you, you both found a very interesting bit of Fuji history.

Scott

Thanks:D Yes I'd love to check it out! Send some pics via PM if you can. I was pretty pumped the day I picked it up at the garage sale, and even then I had no idea it would clean up so well. If I could fudge a bit and lose the 47 little ring I'd be happier, but I love the looks and component mix they used. Pretty choice for 1975.,,,,BD

The Ace looks too small for you compared to your other Fujis. I'll PM you my address so we can fix this issue. :D

BD, I'll get some photos out to you early this week. In the meantime, it's the exact color of the one on my '74:

http://vintagefuji.posterous.com/1974-fuji-the-ace-part-two

Scott

The Ace looks too small for you compared to your other Fujis. I'll PM you my address so we can fix this issue. :D

: )

all your ace belong to me.

terrific.

then scott whips out his ace in the hole with beautiful orange.

congrats to all of you.

Oh but my Ace has nothing on those other two, those are immaculate! Jealous is a good word here.

Scott

all your ace belong to me.
terrific. then scott whips out his ace in the hole with beautiful orange.
congrats to all of you.

I see what you did there.

Awesome bike. Question: Does this have clincher or tubular rim wheels with sew-up tires?

Thanks

They originally came with tubulars. Finding a 70's bike with it's original tubular rims intact or even usable, is next to impossible IMHO.,,,,BD

BD, did that Fujita saddle ever get put on your Ace? We need pics!

Scott