I can’t contain myself anymore, my ’88 Fuji Opus IV
 

Well, this is a little premature as the bike isn’t yet complete but the story is classic C&V and I want to share!

The Opus series of bikes are arguably one of Fuji’s finest efforts. Looking at Scottryder’s examples and examples of other members tell me they are just stunning bikes. It has always been a goal to have one.

Most of what you see is the Opus III models, made from 83-86. These were more classicly styled bikes with Suntour drivetrains, non-aero levers, friction shifting. Fuji skipped a year in 87 and introduced a one year model called the Ecco which featured oversize tubing and “lugless” construction.

Skip now to 88, and the Opus returned for a single year as the Opus IV. The Opus’ last hurrah would be the Opus V in 89. Here is the Opus IV as pictured in the 88 catalog:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/im...puscatalog.jpg

Personally I think this is a stunning bike. Most of you know how I feel about white components and there we are, white frame, Sante’ group, yum.

Back in late September an unassuming CL ad in Portland popped up with a single picture attached:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/im...usivasoncl.jpg

Yep, the Opus IV has been single speeded with flat bars. BY THE GRACE OF GOD NOTHING HAD BEEN CUT OFF!! Scott suggested contacting the seller and asking if he’d consider just selling the frameset. He was looking for $250 for the bike as it sat. I wanted to offer enough to incent him to sell without thinking about it so I offered $200 and he accepted. Fourtunately PDXAero stepped up for the facilitation, he met the seller, made the purchase, and shipped me the frameset. Here’s what I got when I got it out of the box (minus some ugly stickers which came off immediately):

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/im.../opusframe.jpg

The paint and decals were in ok shape. Several paint touch ups had been done and time hadn’t been good to the factory white pearl paint. Areas of grease contact (headset and BB) has yellowed a lot and the paint did not fade with age evenly. I decided that a repaint would be in the frame’s future.

I decided pretty quickly that it would NOT get Sante’ components. Finding Sante’ in nice condition is hard enough, and when you do it’s quite pricey. About the time I was languishing over what components I might want to put on it my good friend Collin2424 was selling a frame on which was hanging a MINT condition DA7700 9-speed group. It seemed like a match made in heaven and I procured the group back in mid-October. I’ve waffled on a wheelset but eventually decided on Ultegra 6500 hubs (over the FAR costlier DA7700 hubs) and I have a 32H hubset in hand but am still waffling on rims. And by the way, no brifters on this bike, this will be 9-speed downtube shifting baby!

Now, fast forward to mid-November. I missed a Fuji Design Series that was advertised here on local CL. So distraught was I that I posted an ad the day later asking if the new owner would be willing to sell the bike. Three weeks later I get a response. I arrange to go see the Design Series which ended up having issues but talked to the seller, who was an ex-LBS owner and Fuji dealer. I was describing my bikes and the fact that I have this Opus IV frameset that I was going to get repainted as soon as I could get VeloCals to produce the decals for me. He says, “Opus IV decals? Be right back.” Guy comes down with decal sets for several models, Club and Team Fujis….and 5 whole decal sets for the Opus IV!! Real, actual factory decal sets, 20 miles from my house. Obviously I buy one from him. So although I didn’t get what I went for which was quite disappointing I got something, in the end, much more valuable to me:

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/im...aloverview.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/im...ntubedecal.jpg

Scottryder hooked me up with a frame painter by him and on January 21 I sent the frame. As of today it’s been blasted, prepped, painted, and the pearl coat is on. I hope to have a couple of pics of the frame in this state before the decals and final clear coat go on.

Thanks for reading. As soon as I get the frame back I’ll post pics and certainly as soon as the bike is complete, which shouldn’t be long if I can decide on a pair of rims.

This is going to be a fun thread.

am i glad I stayed up and read this

....can't wait to see it complete.

That is pretty crazy, finding original decals that close to home. It was destiny!

That is a great story. I too love Fuji's and wish for a Fuji Opus. They are beautiful bikes and yours is going to be incredible. What a story, and the deal with the decals is something else. Go buy a lottery ticket!

I hope the new paint has as good of a lustre as the old paint, even while faded and yellowed in places, the pearl looked like nicer than any paint you would see on brand new cars.

Also is this the thread I should post an image of the elevation profile from my ride out to pick up this frame?

Edit:
Love the fork crown
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_e...001_135118.jpg
Don't forget to mention the headbadge and brake ferrule grommets.

Great score on the bike AND the decals. Congrats!!

andy

I'm sure it will be outstanding, but every time I hear "Opus," I think of a fat penguin or Richard Dreyfuss .

I figured you'd chime in...absolutely, post that profile! The painter has described the pearl as "subtle" which is how I would have described it as well.

And you're right, headbadge and ferrules.

The frame was missing the headbadge of all things...maybe previous owner(s) didn't like Fuji, who knows. From his seemingly endless store of Fuji "stuff" Scott pops up with a headbadge. Amazing.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hCtXNDGAhx...nWarehouse.jpg

The frame also has internal routing for the rear brake housing, you can see the exit in my pic of the frame above. But, the little plastic ferrules on each side are missing and I think they'll be impossible to find. Nope, ftwelder pops up with a "How many do you need? Amazing.

:)



... or Saturday night at the Ordway for an opera.

Keith, I'll be checking out the recently painted frame tomorrow a.m. prior to the decals and clear coat being applied. I'll take some photos for you and you can post them if you wish.

Scott

Can't wait to see the finished product. Man I'd like to find an Opus, so nice.

Mutt

By all means sir! And I'm loving that avatar! :)

Are you putting a Rolls on it? If not, what? Silver chainrings? Dark anodized rims?

"how many do you need?"

When I was putting my Univega together I got a DA7400 crankarm cap and a 3ttt rubber stem cap from folks on the forum here. I hope to be able to repay the favor to someone else here someday.

Cool story with your bike, I can't wait to see it done.

I do think you should spring for Sante, but I understand why you don't.

You disgust me.[/it's not fair]

Rolls in hand :)

Yes, silver chainrings, standard DA FC-7700 crankset:

http://www.bikepartsplace.com/images/med/31815013.jpg

I'd add too....DA7700 is the newest I would have considered at all for it. Once up to 7800 the Jetson's style cranks come in and...well, ick. The above is a nice, classic looking crankset and I don't think it will detract from the nature of the bike. Especially with the nifty 9-speed downtube...a modern classic? Getting close :)

Rims are still in flux. This build was the impetus for my thread about late 90's tubular rims. My approach here is this: I bought the bike in '88, raced the heck out of it :), wore out the Sante but still loved the frame and replaced the Sante in 1999 with the DA7700. Decided to replace the wheelset as well so I'm looking for a period correct late 90's early 00's tubular rimset. Mavic Reflex are up there since the can be had with machined sidewalls.

I'd also consider a set of dark anodized Arayas if they popped up.

Hmm, a bit off topic, but the only reference I can find to this bike is one poster here on BF. Anyone sitting on a 61 or 64cm example? :D

Great stuff. I know this is going to be an awesome build, whatever you choose.

It would be fun to find one, if anything, just for the novelty...look at those pics...doesn't appear to be TIG welded does it?

Khatfull - I think the DA Crankset will really complement the bike. Great choice IMO.
In your hands I am sure it will become yet another example of Fuji perfection.

Does that frame have oversized tubing? That really is a stunning frameset.

Beyond jealous!!

Not a 61 or 64 but here's a link to better pics showing the frame construction:

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/vie...st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I'd ride one :)