Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1984 Fuji Professional Super Record

Hi, I bought this fixed gear bike off a kid for about 200 bucks and after i did some research I found out that I cam across probably the rarest fuji frame ever made. Unfortunately it was painted over and the only original parts are the bottom bracket, stem, cranks, headset, and seat post. Fortunately I can buy the Super Record Campy set online. How much is this frame worth? I can barely find ANY information about this bike.

Hi, can you post photos?

http://i56.tinypic.com/2uhl0te.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/6hq2cw.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/av4x3q.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/11twqo7.jpg

Heres the BB with Serial
http://i54.tinypic.com/2uz9tfq.jpg

Ow, my eyes!

I'll let some fuji experts tell you what they think.

I'm begging to realize now that this bike isnt the sr

I'm unfortunately limited to dial-up at the moment, so I cannot see the photos, but I would list myself as one of the few who know a fair amount about them. (I have one.) What are the dropouts on your frameset? Is anything written on the fork crown?

beech332 at hotmail, if you want to email me some smaller pictures to compare.

Dial up still exists? Ouch. Haha.

Also, shame on the idiot that painted that bike. I hate seeing "hey guys, just got done stripping and painting my new fixie" more than anything else.

The fork says fuji on it real small and curved. the serial number says 78 in it so im convinced that this isnt an 84 super record. And big shame on whoever decided to strip it. Oh well. I think its a Fuji Professional. There are no brake cable holders on the frame, meaning that there were clamps that held down the cables. The Super record has three cable holders on the top tube. I got too excited :/

Looks like a 1979 model year Professional (http://classicfuji.com/Models_for_Display/1979%2002%20Professional.jpg), still pretty awesome.

If i repaint it its original color and try to find decals, and put all its original parts back on it, how much do you think it would be worth? I'm in love with vintage road bikes and I would love to have this bike in my collection. But if its not worth it I can leave it as its hipster form.

http://i55.tinypic.com/33v1b1z.jpg

http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1984/LightWeight/FULL/1984Ltwt07.JPG

I also have this (so I think) 1984 Schwinn Tempo in great condition, I was wondering how much this bike is worth too. It has all its original parts, the decals are starting to peel off but I'm sure I can replace those if the bike is worth anything.

The Tempo is very nice, although it appears to need quite a tuneup judging by the slack chain. All cleaned up I'd say you could get maybe $200 for it. More if you're in a good market.


There are no brake cable holders on the frame, meaning that there were clamps that held down the cables. The Super record has three cable holders on the top tube.

Some people get really stupid when they make their conversions and file those off before they paint the frame. It's possible yours once had the braze-ons.

Just to keep things simple:

The money you put into the Fuji to make it original again will far exceed how much you'll get by selling it later. Not worth it.
The Schwinn is an okay bike. Nothing special. ~$230 if clean and if you're in a good market. ~$150 or lower for not so great markets.

+1 As a collectors bike, the Fuji is basically ruined. Cost to restore will exceed value when you are done, unless you have a line on a professional paint job for super cheap.

Tempo is a project right now, maybe $100, to $125. In spotless, ready to ride condition, maybe $225. Later year Tempos had nicer parts.

I'm unfortunately limited to dial-up at the moment, so I cannot see the photos, but I would list myself as one of the few who know a fair amount about them. (I have one.) What are the dropouts on your frameset? Is anything written on the fork crown?

beech332 at hotmail, if you want to email me some smaller pictures to compare.

you should be happy you can't see this bike :)

I am with the rest if that was a Super Record it is ruined. I am certain the person who painted had no clue nor did he really care about the quality or any value the frame had. I am not sure just how rare they are but a few years ago I listed one here in the for sale section sans wheels and original bar/stem. I was aghast at the amount of responses I got wanting to buy it. someone here has it now and did a fabulous job of making her a thing of beauty. here is my version of a Pro Super Record. I tried to post a pic of how it looks now but the file is too big

So, the tempo is actually not much of a project at all. The bike is in perfect condition all tuned up, brand new brake pads, shifts like charm, its so solid. The only downside is that the decals are pealing. The chain has slack because its not on any of the chainrings when I took that picture. If I am capable of doing a professional paint job on a bike (knowing I'm not trying to sell any of these) I wouldn't mind painting it and creating the original Fuji for myself. AND ALSO ALSO, I can tell the fuji never had cable holders that were filed down, Top tube was clean to begin with.

What do you guys think of the tempo tho. I think its an amazing bike for a schwinn. I cant believe how solid it feels.

I found the shcwinn on the side of the road with a free sign on it. Score.....

I'd retore it, it's worth the repaint (if done correctly) and new decals. JR at Velocals made the decals for Khatful's '75 Pro and he's in the process of restoring it.

Here's mine:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1978%20Fuji%20Professional/DSC00085.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1978%20Fuji%20Professional/DSC00094.jpg

Fui Professionals are rare as hen's teeth, it's worth the time and effort, again, if done right.

Scott

At least the "fixie" guy did not hack off the braze-ons. That is probably why he got rid of it, no street cred for that crowd.

Anyway, I would tun this into a DIY project, the bike should be fun to ride, do some web referencing and take a stab at it, you might be able to sell the parts on it that will not be used in a recreation to knock your cost basis down a chunk.
Chemically strip this, "aircraft stripper" and be safe doing it, I suspect that the finish is powdercoat, small chance the chrome is intact underneath.

Looks like a 1979 model year Professional (http://classicfuji.com/Models_for_Display/1979%2002%20Professional.jpg), still pretty awesome.

I am not sure about that, the black beauty's lugs are "nervex pro style" the cat image shows a simpler lug, but specifications are subject to change w/o notice...

Does anyone know the original group set for this Fuji Pro, It currently has a campy strada crank on it, campy seat post, unknown stem, and a suntour headset. I know I can paint this bike well but i dont know how much the group set is or what was on it. Let me know and I'm definitely going to pursue restoring this thing.

The original drivetrain would have been Superbe, if it was released in '78 the cranks would have been Sugino Super Mighty, if a '79 then the cranks would have been Superbe also.

The lugs say it's a '78. the fork crown says a '79. Not uncommon at all for that to happen I'm sure.

You said the stem is original but I'm not sure of that. It would have been a Nitto Pearl G or a Crystem, depending on the year. The photo doesn't appear to be either. If it turned out to be a short Crystem, well, you hit the jackpot.

Looking over the photographs, I'm not bothered too much with the paint or PC job other than the fork crown chrome is covered up. It's more how it's build up that disturbs me. How about leaving the finish as is, trying to recover the fork crown with some careful stripping, buy some "Professional" decals from JR @ Velocals and then build it up with Superbe?

Scott

Hey, thanks for the advice. I do have paint stripper that will take the paint off and leave the chrome untouched - it has not been sanded, just painted over. and stripped a bunch of times. I can strip the whole bike again and mask off the chrome on the crowns and then repaint the bike a metallic silver with a shiny gloss over it to give it a fresh original bike look. What do you guys think? I've painted about 6 bikes in the past 3 months and every time I do it I learn something new and improve my skill. I'm pretty confident in repainting the fuji myself. I know it takes patience and hard work but I would be so proud if I restored it.

My main concern is being able to find all the pieces that were originally on this bike.

Stem may not be stock ( i think your right scottyder )

My main concern is being able to find all the pieces that were originally on this bike.

At least you'll know who your competition will be on eBay ..... Me! I have my hands full this winter .. :)

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/3%20Fuji%20Professionals/file.jpg

More photos on my blog:

http://vintagefuji.posterous.com/three-fuji-professionals-1977-1981-a-dream-pr

Scott

Scott! This is your blog? I've been reading and following this for a while now, ever since I got into vintage bikes actually. Well maybe if you find a plentiful source of parts for this bike let me know? I don't want to interfere with your professional work if there are very very few parts floating around out there for this bike.

Scott! This is your blog? I've been reading and following this for a while now, ever since I got into vintage bikes actually. Well maybe if you find a plentiful source of parts for this bike let me know? I don't want to interfere with your professional work if there are very very few parts floating around out there for this bike.

Yes, my blog, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

There's plenty of parts for the Professionals floating around, budget and patience come in handy. That will be a fun build for you, the end result I'm sure will be stunning!

Scott

but just remember if you spend $1000 to repaint and collect parts to build it, there is no gaurentee oyu would make a profit if you wanted to resell it

Yes, my blog, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

There's plenty of parts for the Professionals floating around, budget and patience come in handy. That will be a fun build for you, the end result I'm sure will be stunning!

Scott

You are killing me! :)

but just remember if you spend $1000 to repaint and collect parts to build it, there is no gaurentee oyu would make a profit if you wanted to resell it

$1000 paint job? I think you need to find another frame painter BG!

Scott

$1000 paint job? I think you need to find another frame painter BG!

Scott


$1000 to repaint and collect parts to build it

sounds about right for the really good guys. Not everyone has a good, local, cheap painter to avoid shipping costs too.

sounds about right for the really good guys. Not everyone has a good, local, AFFORDABLE painter to avoid shipping costs too.


Most likely because they have in their minds that it takes $1,000 to do a good job, it doesn't. Search and you will find Mr. Beecher, that goes for everyone.

Scott

Most likely because they have in their minds that it takes $1,000 to do a good job, it doesn't. Search and you will find Mr. Beecher, that goes for everyone.

Scott

I agree.

Matt, I found a local painter here who I gave my Pro frame to for the repaint. I just got an e-mail a couple hours ago. It's done. Total charge: $240. And that's DuPont ChromaBase paint and includes full media blast, full chase and face of BB and headtube, and a lot of hand fill work on the really bad places on the BB shell and chainstays to clean them up as much as reasonably possible. My decal set was $55 so I'm < $300 for wet paint and decals, custom decals even as I gave JR a Pantone color code for the orange FUJI letters on the seat tube. I bet if the OP lives in any sort of major metro area be might find someone to do it at a reasonable cost.

OP...

Given that the original paint is gone and the "collectiblity" or whatever you want to call it of the frameset is basically gone I would go so far as to say that if you can't find a local painter who's work you could afford I personally would support a powdercoat in a color to match the original as closely as possible. Heck, most powdercoats go for $100-$150 with a media blast, if yours is slightly later and had the two color scheme heck you'd still get out for < $200. A media blast and powdercoat would ensure the longevity of the frame...you don't know what's going on under that paint job. To me that's a good enough reason alone to do something with it. And if you powdercoat it you'd likely ride it more because you wouldn't be worried about your shiny new wet paint job.

Also, I would chemically strip the fork and the chromed areas of the dropouts. My painter then masked these off before sending to be blasted and masked them before painting. I had him powdercoat a Team Fuji frame which came out wonderfully, and all the appropriate chrome was masked off on it as well prior to blast and powder.

It's a Fuji Professional, a wonderful frameset. It deserves to be ridden and in IMHO to look like it did when it sat at the dealer. Had I not been able to get mine wet painted at a reasonable cost I would have gone the powdercoat route myself. My frame absolutely needed the media blast (and fill) due to rust issues:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/pro/scott/DSC00668.jpeg
http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/pro/scott/DSC00661.jpeg
http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/pro/scott/DSC00663.jpeg
http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/pro/scott/DSC00664.jpeg

Heck, even powdercoat is removable if you win the lottery and want to send it to CyclArt.

bummer about the repaint.

for what its worth, i think it looks pretty good :)

Sold a first year Fuji Pro to a collector a few years ago for $350. This one even had the leather covered Mikashima toeclips.
The only non-original were the rims, switched from the Ukai (sewups) to Mavic (clinchers).
It is now in his bicycle museum in Bisbee, AZ.

Ouch! Whoever built that up with the rattle can paint and those purple hoops should be tarred and feathered. I say give that frame CPR and resurrect it into what it was meant to be.

Ouch! Whoever built that up with the rattle can paint and those purple hoops should be tarred and feathered. I say give that frame CPR and resurrect it into what it was meant to be.

Khatful just got his repainted Pro back from his painter, he'll hopefully post some photos soon, it look gorgeous!

Scott

CchewW:

what have you decided to do with this frame? I have been looking for just such a frame and fork to do a full restoration. If by chance you still have it or know of who does, I am very interested in purchasing just frame and fork.

john

CchewW:

what have you decided to do with this frame? I have been looking for just such a frame and fork to do a full restoration. If by chance you still have it or know of who does, I am very interested in purchasing just frame and fork.

john


It appears he has not posted at all in just over a year, perhaps a PM would be in order.

Hi. I'm Linda and I have a 1984 14 speed fuji that I purchased new back in 1984 and have owned it since. It was stolen, stripped and painted over but got it back. Long story but funny. The rear wheel was stolen in Germany and returned since it won't fit any other bike. We are in Wisconsin now and I would like to replace some of the original parts. The front derailer is frozen and the brake cables need to be replaced but everything else is still working. It has been my first and will be my last bike. I love this bike and want to restore it. Where can I get parts for this bike?

Hi. I'm Linda and I have a 1984 14 speed fuji that I purchased new back in 1984 and have owned it since. It was stolen, stripped and painted over but got it back. Long story but funny. The rear wheel was stolen in Germany and returned since it won't fit any other bike. We are in Wisconsin now and I would like to replace some of the original parts. The front derailer is frozen and the brake cables need to be replaced but everything else is still working. It has been my first and will be my last bike. I love this bike and want to restore it. Where can I get parts for this bike?

Hi Linda, We'd all love to see some photographs of what you have, can you post some? I'd love to know what model it is as well.

Fuji's are easily restored, the Japanese (most likely) components are easily found on eBay or perhaps other C&V members can help you with items in their part bins. If I remember correctly the only '84 model with 7 speeds is the Professional. Now that would be pretty sweet ... I still have my first Fuji too!

Scott

Hi. I'm Linda and I have a 1984 14 speed fuji that I purchased new back in 1984 and have owned it since. It was stolen, stripped and painted over but got it back. Long story but funny. The rear wheel was stolen in Germany and returned since it won't fit any other bike. We are in Wisconsin now and I would like to replace some of the original parts. The front derailer is frozen and the brake cables need to be replaced but everything else is still working. It has been my first and will be my last bike. I love this bike and want to restore it. Where can I get parts for this bike?

+1 Ebay or forum members here on the site. The parts were not Fuji specific. Fuji bought from the same few suppliers that everyone else bought from. This is good news, as it means parts are available, but of course, have been out of production for 25 years. So its buying them used. Price will depend on your patience. Some people are hung up on finding NOS (new old stock). NOS parts tend to go for 5 to 10X what used parts bring. Personally, I avoid NOS parts due to the cost, and since I am putting them on a used bike anyway, I see no need to spend a lot more. And of course, once mounted on your bike, the part is no longer NOS. Talk about instant hit on value.

Bike shops in general do not have parts for vintage bikes. You can on occasion find a shop with a bucket of old parts, but most of them are focused on new bikes. I have scouted out all the shops in my area, know which ones have old parts laying around, and fish through their bins. Bought four bucket loads from one shop that was tossing the old stuff.

Fuji made a lot of different models, so the parts were different for different models (lower end got lower end parts, high end got high end parts, etc.).

Hi Bianchigirll:

i have sent a PM but thought I would cover all bases by posting here too. So far, no response. The search continues for a Fuji Pro.

john

Hey Scott!

:thumb:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7123605023_3a9a5f028d_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7123605027_4613f80262_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/7123605029_8e8dfb2576_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7123605051_607e8d35bb_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7123605055_3fe3f964fb_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7123606653_94980a57c7_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7123606659_168e149825_z.jpg

geeeez, Mark you built a nice bike! Any chance you can send over the hi res files for me to post?

Scott

geeeez, Mark you built a nice bike! Any chance you can send over the hi res files for me to post?

Scott

Could not have done it without you....and....

Will send photos soon!