scale

My beloved Fuji "sports 10" is now dead. The frame snapped at the bottom bracket seat post lug. Probably from years of flex at the bb with hard sprints out of the saddle. I still made it over 10 miles home riding the frame teh whole way. There is something to be said for steel for sure. Ive been on this bike for thousands of miles over the years. I am kind of sad to see it go.

Now i guess i am on to finding another sports 10, sports 12 or S10-s in my size. Id like to find a 1 for 1 replacement. I beleive this one was a 1978. This time i really want the green one though I love that color although i loved the blue as well.

unterhausen

that's too bad. The seat tube/bb junction takes a lot of stress, it's one of the most common failure points.

Cougrrcj

What size do you ride?? Location??

AdventureManCO 

What size are you? I just got done taking the dog for a side ride with my '77 Fuji S10-S in iridescent jade size 58cm

CliffordK

We need some carnage pictures.

Ohhh... CARBON steel failures.

It seems like many old steel bikes have a finite wear life. Perhaps exacerbated by overheating or poor brazing (which you won't know until it is too late).

There are quite a few good used bikes and frames out there. You could simply transfer all your old parts to a new frame, or perhaps pick up a bike, and choose the best components between the two, and have a few spares.

scale

i ride a 52cm. I am near minneapolis, mn.

Cougrrcj

Fujis of that vintage were sold in inches and only odd inches -- so I'm guessing a 21"? My kid sister rode a 19", while I ride a 23". A 22"/56cm would probably fit me better but that was not an option for Fuji back then. I felt cramped on the 21, so I went for the 'too tall' 23. Never been a problem for the past 44 years!

scale

inches? That is weird.

Ill measure the ctc measurement on the seat tube today. It has to be 21 inches but i will check.

I beieve this one was 1976 - 78 model. Ill have to see if i can look up the serial. The thing is later model fujis from the early to mid 80s seem to be a bit different sizing. The later ones seem taller. The lugs and everything look the same.

I have tested this by using my fingers. This older model i have i can get 2 fingers (index and middle) to insert right at the the head tube. Both my figures just barely touch at the bottom dowuntube and the top tube. On the later models there is a bit more room where they dont touch....but it is just by a mm or two. I always thought that was strange. I wonder if that is when they switched from IN to CM? Who knows....just odd is all.

Cougrrcj

Classicfuji.com has the catalogs by year or model. T-mar's excellent post on Asian Serial numbers (see the sticky section at the top of the C&V subforum) will break yours down for you for year...

scale

THanks. I have been to both over the years. I need to check both again though.

I tell you what. TMAR is one of the kings. That guy is unreal with his knowledge of all things cycling. He is a very very valuable resource. I cant thank him enough for all the great info he is provided me via this site. My hat goes off to him.
I am starting to think we should have a TMAR appreciation thread here on this site

scale

yup.....1978. This is it right down to the color.

https://www.classicfuji.com/Sports10_1978_PageB.htm

AdventureManCO 

Well, good luck on finding a great replacement frame. I have loved riding my S10-S and have found what @noglider has said about them to be true...a bit heavy, but very comfortable!

scale

Thanks. I never found it to be heavy really. I guess it is all relative in my experience. I found it to be very nimble and comfortable for sure. Laugh and disagree if you must but i it truly was one of my favorites. One of 2 bikes that i rode regularly despite having many more over the years. This one has always gotten along with me the best out of just about everything ive ridden,

oddjob2

You might try these ou

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/w...724014726.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/r...727435012.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...722732815.html

scale

Thanks. Way ahead of you. These are all too big for me. I am looking at this one but i am almost certain it is too small. No response from the seller. It is a train wreck but all i need is the frame. Something tells me the owner is a bit attached to it given the description. Id only want to get a max of $40 for it given the drive distance and all the unknowns (size, rust, condition etc).

Love that color though

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...722353317.html

wrk101

Find a co-op. Minneapolis must have several? At the co-op I volunteer at, we will sell frames cheap, really cheap.

I have also found deals at various co-ops on bikes from their "Dog pile". Bikes that have not been worked on yet, and that can have some "issues". Many co-ops have quite a backup on projects to work on, so it can be a win-win to buy something they haven't worked on yet!

Even if the Minneapolis co-ops are not to your liking, I have learned to stop/shop at co-ops in other towns as well. Road trips/vacations become bicycle shopping trips. Again, do them a favor if possible and pick up something they haven't put time and precious consumables into yet. And donate parts you don't need from your own stash!

scale

Thanks. i have hit 3 already and frequent them regularly. Nothing so far but i will be continuing to watch over the winter months.

jetboy 

wow. yeah the color is the key with that bike. I think i like the blue more than the green!

scale

Agreed. The later models had this weird gold outline around the lettering in the name that looked horrible in my opinion. I guess none of that matters for the ride but these early ones had the look sorted if you ask me. Seperate letters and no weird bands around the lettering on the seat tube. I always thought the early ones looked better. I am sure the later ones were a cost cutting thing.

ryansu

Good luck in your quest OP! I once rehabbed a Motobecane Nomad II and when I test rode it fit so well that I took careful measurements and vowed to find a nicer Motobecane model in that size to keep. I looked, passively, for about 3 years and finally found a Motobecane Grand Touring which I have rebuilt and enjoy riding. Hope you find the Fuji you seek.

79pmooney

That was exactly how my '76 Fuji Professional broke. The crack started about a month before. mine broke it's first year while I was still working at the Fuji shop. I was assured that Fuji would give me a new frame when it broke and that nothing bad would happen when it did. (Mine broke in a race; no big deal except costing me a finish in the field of a 3,4 park criterium.)

I believe Fuji was specing its seat tubes a touch too short and that they were not extending through the BB shell so the shell itself wasn't supporting the tube end; just the lug sleeve. That would account for both our failures. Now, by 1978, Fuji was making Professionals that didn't break. I'm guessing the S-10-S had a much thicker BB shell and lugs and therefore the failures, while still happening, were happening decades later.

Ben

greg3rd48 

@scale This is very close to where I live. If you wanted I would happily pick it up and ship it to you. Us C&V enthusiasts have to help one another! Let me know if you are interested.




https://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/b...725974404.html

3speedslow

scale

wow....Thanks.

I am betting it will be cost prohibitive to purchase and ship. Looks to be about 30 bucks using bike flights from that area to MN. I shot out an offer on it for $20. I guess i will see if he takes it but even at $50 that is pushing it sight unseen. I really appreciate the offer though and will keep this in mind.

scale

i do have another Fuji Gran Touring frameset that is the exact same geometery. The problem with it is it must have passed through "quality control" by mistake. The front downtube lug has a space in it between the frametube and the lug like it isnt fully brazed. I am sure this is common on lowend frames. I dont know how safe it is which is why i never finished it.