jamesdak 

Where are my hoods??!! I want to finish this up and get it on the road, LOL!!

Today I put on some yellow bottle cages that are a pretty good match to the yellow paint. And I took off the Suntour pedals and threw on a set of my usual Look Keo pedals.

Still considering whether to stick to a blue bar tape or go with the yellow. And of course today I wondering if I should swap out those grey cable housings....hmmmm.....

Anyway, one more shot of as it sits as of today. Now 23 lbs and 2 ozs.

rocks in head 

Wow, just wow. So much just perfect. Mine are going to be beater grade and restomod, neither as desirable as a ride like this.

ahmluthfi

Really like to have this frameset

thirdgen

Super nice bike. I like the color too.

exmechanic89

Outstanding. I like the yellow bar tape idea much better, too.

jamesdak 

Yeah, I think that is the correct choice. I've got too new sets of hoods in and neither seem correct. This is the only thing holding up finishing this one.

tmh657

Great looking frame and nice photography with a REAL camera!! Suntour Sprint bits are nice. Pretty hubs. Have fun with it.

MDR629

Wow the paint is in good shape, great buy.

I'd really like one of these soon, preferably the flamingo though. Also if you're looking to ditch weight, the dork disc and front reflector weigh a few pounds haha.

I wouldn't be thrilled with that brake cable routing, but if it works I guess it's okay. I'd redo the cables/housing when you put new bar tape on it.

Sceptic

I have an 86 Team Fuji in Flamingo. Absolutely love it.

It's comfortable and fast. But that's true of many bikes and that does not explain why I enjoy it so much. It's hard to be specific, but the bike has a certain aesthetic quality that I think adds to the overall appeal. Is it that they just don't make 'em like that anymore?

jamesdak 

Alright, this is ready for a test ride tomorrow....I think. I'll do my normal ride after work and then take this out for another 5 or so to sort things out, dial in the bar height, angle, etc.

The replacement hoods fit OK. Hopefully with some use they'll settle more into place and over the point of the brake lever. I rerouted the cable housing a bit but stayed with the original. I have been going back and forth over what color to change it to but realized the most of the time the grey just sort of blends into the background when you look at it. So I left it for now. I did yank that front reflector. The dork disc will got next time I yank the freewheel or if I swap the wheels. 22 lbs 14 ozs now. That front reflector was a whole, speed robbing, 4 ounces, LOL! I think with decently light wheels this will easily be under 22 lbs.

Anyway, dark when I finished but I grabbed a couple of snaps with the cellphone for now. I'll post real pictures when I get a chance.




Played around with the finishing tape, first yellow and then the contrasting blue on top. I like it.



I also like to sometimes use a contrasting but complimenting color at the end of the bars. Just gives it an added touch in my opinion.

Wileyone 

Better be careful Fuji's can be highly addictive.

jamesdak 

I don't know what you are talking about...




I love this classic bike



My first 650b conversion.

noglider 

Much better brake cable routing now.

rocks in head 

I've not ridden either of the twins ('85 Team pair) yet. Looking forward to it. Meanwhile I can dream of how nice mine may be able to become someday.

jamesdak 

So, I got this out tonight after putting 21 miles in on the Serotta CSI. A tough act to follow for sure. It was in the 90s and windy but the bike really moved out the first several miles. Not as smooth on the rough chipseal as the CSI but it felt plenty quick. I haven't replaced the chain that came with this bike but the drivetrain ran really quiet. The rear DT shifter's throws are very short and precise. Usually I have to get a feel for each new DT system but this one just worked on the first shift. It it running a Shimano Hyperglide on the rear though so that may be part of it. The front shifts good to but the trim is a bit weird to me. It ratchets like other Suntours I have but in one direction only. Need to research and see if this is normal. I need to tilt the handlebars just a tad but otherwise it felt good on this short ride. I'll get a longer one in soon to see how it really is.

When I got done I snapped some new pics of the finished bike. Hope they're ok, I was sweating like crazy after all the miles in the heat.




Oop, left the pump on.



The finished bars



I need to tilt them just a tad and I think they'll be perfect



Dang it, I have to quit wrapping bars late at night. The one finishing tape is crooked.....



View from the cockpit.

exmechanic89

Bike looks great, definitely better with the yellow tape. I'd put some major miles on that bike if it was mine.

I've been riding in the same heat lately. Boy I'tired of being completely soaked through with sweat 10 mins into the ride.

jamesdak 

It'll get the full 25 mile ride today. Good thing about Utah is you don't really sweat that much in the heat. I'm a VA native and don't miss that humidity at all!!

I'm curious to see how I like the Fabric Line saddle after that many miles first time trying one of these.

MDR629

I had Suntour Powershifters on a later '70s Raleigh and have fully taken them apart. I assume yours are similar. They ratchet only in one direction because you pull against the derailleur return spring in one direction and you go with the spring in the other direction. So they should ratchet when you pull against the spring, that way it skips the friction discs in the shifter itself.

But I could be wrong on these particular shifters.

jamesdak 

Hey thanks! Sounds exactly like how they are operating.

Glenzilla

jamesdak 

Well, my normal process is to use Lysol wipes to go over the whole body. They seem to cut the grease pretty well and don't scratch. So I'll use those all over to get it as clean as possible. They work well to get in all the nooks and crannies, like the arms of the caliper, the derailleurs, etc. Also, no fumes like there is with most citrus degreasers which is good since I'm usually cleaning inside. If there are stubborn areas of grease buildup I do attack those with citrus degreaser. Once all the dirt, grease and marks are gone I'll use an automotive paint polish to restore any faded paint. I'll follow this up with a quality wax paste.

If the wheel spoke are heavily tarnished I'll go over them with some fine steel wool. I'll also use either aluminum or chrome polish on the shiny bits when needed. You just have to be careful with anything sorta aggressive.

since6

Beautiful bike and build +1 on the yellow bar tape.

noglider 

You can use spray soap like Fantastik and then maybe water. Use a rag or a strong paper towel. Oddly enough, I've been using furniture polish in a can for just about all my bike cleaning. I may be overspending, but probably not by much. Furniture polish is a solution of wax and water.

tsmorr

That's a stunning bike. Would've gone with black bar tape myself, but the yellow does look nice.

Classtime