Finally got back to some final steps on this one and realized I had never really shot a good set of pictures of it. So I did that this morning.

So, found this one locally a couple of years ago for a really cheap price. It's nothing special but I knew if would be a good candidate to dip my toe into 650b territory. Originally I was going to replace the components for a modern triple setup but like the Fuji pantographed look and have left them. So the conversion was mainly just getting a set of Velocity wheels made up and then adding on the Velo Orange fenders and Dia Compe brakes. Tires are nice, soft Compass 650 x 42b tires.

Obviously, this is one of those times I put way more into a bike than it is worth. Still, fun exercise in learning. Had to make some compromises but I think it turned out OK. This turned out OK using one of the major "Bike Boom" bikes.

A few more:









Taking these pictures made me notice I still have some cleaning to do on this. Still a fair around of old grime on a lot of the original components.

That's a damn fine conversion. I know of several people who have used the S12-S as a base for 650b conversion. It's a "natural" low trail frame with plenty of room for 42's and fenders. If you ever want to add a front rack and handelbar bag, it'll handle quite nicely even with the added front load.

As much money as you think you put into it, it looks like you used a lot of the original kit, and only added essential bits.

Chapeau!

Beautiful!

42s fit without any drama? Or did you have to do any crimping?

looks sharp.

Easily with plenty of room in my book. I have at least 4 mm on both sides at the tightest point which is the rear chainstays.

No crimping or otherwise adjusting of the stock frame.

I don't think you overdid anything. It's a fine frame to begin with, and it's in such good shape.

I think I'm going to taste the 650b kool-aid.

How much does the bike weigh?

That's a Cambium saddle, right? I have one and like it a lot.

As in the pictures from today it weighs in at 27 lbs and 4 ozs.

It is Cambium saddle but to be honest I'm not a big fan. It's OK but I find all my Brooks and Gyes leather saddles more comfortable. So this keeps getting moved around to different bikes.

It is a nice old bike. A local teacher was trying to commute on it when I got it and it was a bit of a mess. Dragging brakes and other issues.

First class conversion!

That looks fantastic. Clean as a whistle and a real head-turner.

I was a little worried about the front brake cabling. Sorta of a tight mess to make it work. But seems to be functioning fine without any binding so I guess it's ok.

My first reaction was if you could have shorten the front brake cable. But a second look reveals that the stem bolt was kind of "in the way" of the cable path. If not binding then full steam ahead! I guess the cantilever stop was designed with non-aero brake cabling in mind. I can't get over how clean your bike is. Great job!

Edit: What type of camera did you use for the shots? They look like they could go into a catalog.

It's old gear. The camera is a Canon 5D and the lens is a very sweet Leica R 60/2.8 macro lens that I converted to work on the Canon camera.

Normally my camera's are used more for stuff like this:

Very nice! That certainly makes things easier.

The one conversion I had only gave me maybe 1mm each side of the rear tire at the chainstays. Getting things to aligned and to stay put took a bit of patience!

Oh that is classy! Well done.

Very nicely done

Great job [MENTION=203117]jamesdak[/MENTION], both on the conversion and the photos! The bike just feels right. I do have a soft spot for these blue Fujis.

What rims/hubs are you using there?

On a side note, I always thought S12S frames were made with the Fuji 441 tubing and the S12S LTDs were made with 331 (same as the Americas) but I guess there were 331 S12Ss made as well? Very cool.

They are Velocity touring wheels built up with strong Atlas rims.

You are right about the tubing thing. Using the catalogs at Classic Fuji I cannot find a direct match for this one. By rights it should be the 441 tubing and a 18 speed. This is going off the color matches in the catalog for the year. Maybe wrong decal, maybe early year 1981, maybe....

I keep coming back to this thread to look at the pictures again.

Guess I need to reshoot my pretty Fuji then. I think the Opus III is so much nicer looking.

That's great! I like that you preserved the stuff you did, and changed the stuff you wanted to suit you a bit better. The frame also has some nice features, like integrated RD hanger and cable stops, in addition to the classy looks and paint job. I have some serious appreciation for these 'middle end' frames.

Normally I find something that gives me some minor irritation when I look at bikes that are close to perfect. I can't find anything here!

Both oft the S-12-Ss that I rebuilt had a front fork spacing of about 92 mm, rather than the more standard 100mm. A little disconcerting to me, though not a major issue. Was that the case with yours as well?

Nice gear. I have thought about mount conversion for Leica R lenses for Pentax K in the past (I still have an old K10D). But the price of the old Leica R lenses make that a little out of reach last I checked. Well, most macro lenses are not cheap for the reasons your images illustrate above. They usually have the least amount of distortion in the entire lens range. I used to shoot some B&W with Rolliecord V, Vb, Nikon FE2, Hasselblad 501, and a Mamiya 7. The 80mm standard on the Mamiya was one of my favorite lenses of the bunch. Sorry for the OT, but I like your photos!