Originally Posted by
T-Mar
Steve, thxs for posting. Let's tackle the easiest matter first. Based on the serial number, your Newest frame was manufactured in January 1982 and should be a 1982 model. Any possibility that this is correct?
Your Finest definitely follows the serial number format for a 1975 model. It's from early in the year, so it should be a 1975 model. However, you are right in stating that models of this period did not have brazed on shifter bosses or brake tunnels. The model decals also did state "The Finest", as you suggest. Fuji does appear to have deleted "The" from the model designations, sometimes in the late 1970s. I do not know the exact date but it was after 1977. We also know that it is pre-1980 as the model was the Finest MKII that year.
The serial number format definitely fits the 1975-1978 period (and maybe 1979, but I still don't have any dtata for that year)) period. So, one possibility is that someone at the factory stamped the wrong number for the second character. The second is that it is actually a 1975 that had braze-ons added, was repainted and had new decals applied.
The one thing that you mentioned that has me leaning towards the latter is the mention of a fully chromed fork. We know that the Finest was fully chromed through at least 1976. Fuji made a point of stating it in their 1976 catalog. Yet it is not mentioned in the specs for the 1977 Finest. Given that they previously played up this fact could lead one to assume that the 1977 was not fully chromed.
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Thank you T-Mar for your analysis.
I could be wrong on the year of the Newest. The reason I'm remembering 1981 is because I have catalog #11 (which I will scan for you) and I remember debating over the specifications to decide on whether to buy the Newest or Finest MkII. The Newest I did buy looks and specs out to exactly what is shown in catalog #11. I think I still have the original bill of sale from the bike shop. I'll try to dig that up.
On my Finest, you think braze-ons were added later and the entire frame repainted? I guess that could be but it seems to be a lot of trouble for little gain. The funny thing about the serial number I forgot to mention earlier was that the "75" of the serial number is slightly larger and bolder than the other numbers.
I remember there was a time when many of the bike manufacturers were selling road bikes that had fully chromed forks with no paint while the remainder of the bike was painted. This seemed to be a styling trend that didn't last long. Do you happen to know the time period of when this trend was popular? Do you happen to know what the available color options were for the '78 and '79 Finests?
Thanks again for your help.