Vintage Fuji touring bike -- please help identify
02-16-05, 07:12 AM
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Vintage Fuji touring bike -- please help identify
I bought this used, and I'd like to get a guess of how old it is. (I'm thinking late '80s). It rides wonderfully, and is fabulously light. The only words on the frame are "Fuji America," which I always thought was the full name of Fuji's US operations and not the name of a bike, but apparently this is one of their old "America" touring bikes. It has Raleigh derailleurs (something tells me they weren't standard), and bar-end shifters.
Full bike:
The only name on the bike:
The tubing sticker:
So how old might this be?
Full bike:
The only name on the bike:
The tubing sticker:
So how old might this be?
02-16-05, 11:08 AM
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On the basis on the tubing decal, the bicycle would appear to be from about 1976-1982. Based on the components, I would probably narrow it down to the latter half of that range.
Despite the derailleurs, you should be able to get enough date codes off the other components to get a reasonable idea which ones are original and what the model year was. Typically, Fuji used SunTour, Sugino and Dia-Compe for the major components during this era. A great resource for date coding is https://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm
Despite the derailleurs, you should be able to get enough date codes off the other components to get a reasonable idea which ones are original and what the model year was. Typically, Fuji used SunTour, Sugino and Dia-Compe for the major components during this era. A great resource for date coding is https://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm
02-16-05, 11:41 AM
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It should say what model it is. I have an early 80's Fuji. It says "Touring Series 4" on the long tube.Is the writing on the long tube completely gone? Mine doesn't say 531 tubing, it says quad butted chromoly.
Btw, I hate those old style brake levers. You can get nice ones that are much more comfortable for a reasaonable amount of dough. Keep an eye out for a Suntour rear derailleur in good shape, if you're not happy with the Raleigh. I have a Mountech.
Btw, I hate those old style brake levers. You can get nice ones that are much more comfortable for a reasaonable amount of dough. Keep an eye out for a Suntour rear derailleur in good shape, if you're not happy with the Raleigh. I have a Mountech.
02-16-05, 01:53 PM
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The brakes and brake levers are dia-compte. The bar-end shifters say SunTour, though the rear derailleur, as noted, says Raleigh. I'll try to see if I can find any date codes.
I've searched in vain for any indication of model. Other than the tubing decal, the only words on the frame are "Fuji," "Fuji America," and "Made in Japan."
Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions so far.
I've searched in vain for any indication of model. Other than the tubing decal, the only words on the frame are "Fuji," "Fuji America," and "Made in Japan."
Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions so far.
02-16-05, 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by late
Keep an eye out for a Suntour rear derailleur in good shape, if you're not happy with the Raleigh. I have a Mountech.
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09-25-06, 02:20 PM
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Looks like a 1980 Fuji America. The Fuji American Touring Series did not start until 1984 or maybe 1983.
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09-25-06, 11:35 PM
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Look closely at the Raleigh derailleur. SunTour made many of them for Raleigh through the years. If it says SunTour or Maeda Industries on it - it is a SunTour (although the Raleigh naming is out of place on this bicycle).
09-26-06, 07:49 AM
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Very Nice! I love those Fuji's too, and double butted Chrome Moly puts it up there in the lineup.
09-30-06, 07:15 PM
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Fuji made some great touring bikes. I believe that the America was one of their first 15 speed touring bikes. In the early 80's they made the Touring Series 3, 4 and 5. All were very well made products.
03-19-08, 02:26 PM
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I just picked up the same bike. Have you found any more information on it?
Mine is in excellent condition, but it could use some new tires.
Mine is in excellent condition, but it could use some new tires.
