jj1091

I picked this one up at a local flea market for $45. All original '85 Fuji Sagres. Except for the tires and pedals, it's original down to the seat. 56cm seat tube, VALite 178 triple-butted tubing. Paint and graphics fair. No frame rust, but a good bit elsewhere, looks like most of it will come off with a good soak. Crank's pitted beyond repair, sort of.

Wondering if the value is worth restoration, or should I put replacement tires, chain, freewheel, and crankset on it (have spares on hand), and flip it for a minor gain?

oddjob2

Bought for $40 in May 2013, reconditioned and sold for $225.

howsteepisit

Even refurbished it's a 150 bike, you may break even, maybe

jj1091

We'll see. The only cost I'll have in it is the $45 purchase price, plus bartape for $7, new cables for $7 (and it doesn't really need these), and tires for $15. The rest is just clean-and-polish labor. I may decide to make it a project bike and fully restore it, just for the fun of it, then I'll be into a bit of labor to scrape, sand, and polish the crankset. Everything else is my normal spit-shine.

howsteepisit

Also looks like a new chain and freewheel are needed to make it work properly, but hey, how would I know? I only based it on the posted pics. Also there is a lot of oxidation that needs to be cleaned up - Also depends on how much your time is worth to you. Any buyer should be able to tell things like 7.50 tires, and will adjust offers to the quality of components on the bike.

PatTheSlat 

I think you're giving people way too much credit.

cb400bill

Clean it, overhaul bearings, replace the plastic pedals, cables, bar tape, tubes, tires, and chain.

In my area, it'd be worth $200.

oddjob2

+1

Low cost Kenda tires are OEM on a lot of bikes these days, even LBS bikes. You'll also need ball bearings for hubs, BB, and steering, along with brake pads. Maybe get rid of the mountain bike pedals as well. Usually for me about $50-$55 in parts.

jj1091

I agree with you, there. Most folks who buy the low-end bikes like I sell have no clue, they just mostly go for the looks. "Wow, that looks good." No questions, don't want to hear my tale of the tuneup, etc, just cash and go.

jj1091

I get tires fairly cheap, a couple guys at the flea market come in with 30-40 tires occasionally and I can pick up 2 or 3 matched-set Chang Yao or the sort for $10 a pair, as long as I'm buying a few other bits. The last set I got was $15 which included an almost new Mongoose seat and two excellent condition alloy clip pedals with good straps.

I'm usually in it for the $10-15 for tires, $7 for bar tape, $7 for cables, and worst-case $10 for a chain. If I've got to get some hard parts, I find a junker with components for $25-30 and it'll take me through 2 or 3 bikes needing parts, so yeah, about $47 average plus the normal add-in for the lube, nuts, bolts, vinegar, WD-40, etc that's already on-hand. It's weird, but most of the junker bikes I get have good tires and the keepers usually don't. Unless the tires on a bike I get are almost new, I put new ones on them, then hold the good old ones for my riding bikes.

pwebb

Hi guys,

Instead of starting my own thread I'm going to jump in on this on. I'm trying to figure out what year this Fuji Sagras is and what kind of quality you folks think the frame is. It'd be for my girlfriend who currently has a heavy, over-sized univega sport with cheap suntour components which she rides maybe once a week. I'm hoping getting her something a little lighter (hopefully) and better fitting will increase her bike enjoyment. (also it should up the amount of bike stuff I can have, hurray)

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/4308820761.html

From what I can find so far the shimano 600 derailers were added later, which is a big plus because I think indexed shifting will be a major + for her. I can always change the seat to something else if she doesn't like it but as for the rest of the components I am unsure on if they are original or of their quality. I'm just hoping it's a solid frame because I'm thinking that the indexed shipping with a nice frame will accomplish my goal of getting her on a bike more and thus be worth the $250.

Thank you in advance for the help, I'm a BFSSFG member and you all come highly recommended for your vast knowledge of all things bike.

TugaDude

1987 based upon Vintage Fuji website.

Nothing high end, but based upon my experience with Fuji's from the era, it would be a nice rider. Hope that helps.

TugaDude

Forgot to comment on the price. For the Bay Area, from what I understand that would be typical pricing. Around my town, $150 or less.

pwebb

Well, I just learned something new.

Thanks a ton for the replies & the info, ya'll just saved me from driving 45 minutes only to figure that out myself. The search will continue.

oddjob2

You need to get your GF involved in the process. Fit and aesthetics are generally more important for women then lightweight and a flashy, racy look. That saddle, NFW!

pwebb

Don't worry, she's involved. I wasn't worried about the saddle because she likes her saddle on her current bike and was just planning on switching them out. She's the one who wants the new bike in the first place because her current bike is a tad too big, heavy, and has stem-mounted shifters. (It's a Nishiki Sport i think) She wants steel, downtube shifters, and something that fits. I'm just trying to help her get a quality frame + components for her money while learning a bunch more about bikes. Also maybe find myself a nice new grocery-getter/potential touring bike while I'm at it.

Ideally I'm hoping to find her a nice late 80's mid-level Panasonic/Schwinn/Univega/Fuji/Centurion for $350 or less. Seems to be the look & fit she likes with solid components and a quality frame. She had a 88 or 89 Schwinn Premis which got stolen a couple years back which she loved, so the goal is to find that.

Thank you for the input though, I hope you guys realize what a huge service you've done for me and who knows how many other people. This forum is a treasure trove of bike knowledge.

oddjob2

Sounds like a great GF!
For her
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/4310958312.html

Miyata 914
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/4305456030.html

Centurion Super Lemans
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/4305992228.html

For you
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/4295072378.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/4310492684.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/4282676776.html

oddjob2

Fortunately, in East Bay, there are several bicycle coops they can work at to learn to turn a wrench.

rekmeyata

In my area it's worth about $75 in that condition. Area is everything.

Seizedpost

I'm bumping this thread because I just got a 1985 Fuji Sagres for $5. It's dirty, a little corroded, and doesn't have wheels, but it's original and not missing anything but the wheels. And it was $5.
I think I'm going to build it up for myself as a keeper, with a few minor upgrades (downtube shifters, possibly modern rims, etc.) and of course I'll lose the turkey levers.
One question: the crank seems to have originally had some kind of chrome look to match the steel chrome plated chain rings. I'll probably upgrade to aluminum alloy chain rings anyway, but I'd like to try to re-use the crank. The finish has badly deteriorated, there are little chrome plating flakes over a dull oxidized aluminum.
There are threads on polishing alloy crank arms but not usually ones that were chrome plated. I don't want them to be super shiny, just the uniformly dull appearance of a typical alloy crank arm. What's the best way to do this?