Fuji Opus Iii Is This As Good A Find As I Think?
 

I found this Fuji Opus III its about 30 miles from me. I emailed him within an hour after he posted it I hope I'm not to late. Could this be as good a find as I'm thinking it might be? From what I've read here on BF this was a top of the line bike in its day.

Theres the link: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/720120992.html

What can you all tell me about this bike.

4th from the top (or second from the bottom) in the Fuji racing line: Fuji Hierarchy.

It's quad-butted Chromoly, so a very nice frame. I'll take a guess and say that i don't think $250 is a screaming deal for this bike, but it's not an unfair price, either. With that frame and that gruppo, I'd say it's easily worth $250.

EDIT: GAHHH! I got that wrong! The Opus III is second from the top of the racing line (not counting their track bikes). I don't know how that affects price, but that is a very high-end bike. I wouldn't be surprised if it's worth somewhere in the $300 to $400 range.

Tom,

Any news on the Opus III? If I saw another Opus in good condition on my local CL I'd jump on it. I bought my '84 a few years ago and it was almost new out of the box. Here's the link to mine:

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/f...nd_Glassy/1984 Fuji Opus III/?albumview=slideshow

It's a sweet ride, very elegant and understated. There's few of us on C&V that own them and maybe they'll chime in. Good luck! Keep us posted.

Scott

Well, somebody bought it. Was it you, OP?

I know this is an old post but a guy by me is selling one for $390 obo, an '84 (just no pedals). From the pics it looks like it's in good shape. He just posted it a few hours ago. I already emailed him, this is an ok price? I gather they don't go on sale often so figured I should jump on it. I've never even owned a road bike :) But might as well get something nice.

The Fuji Opus III is a nice bike. I saw the same one that you are talking about. Here is a link to the catalog.

http://www.classicfuji.com/OpusIII_1984_Page.htm

As for price, it isn't a steal, but the price is fair. You could find one a bit cheaper if you want to do the work. I got my '83 shipped for about $300.

If it were me and if I weren't a Fuji fan, I would probably keep looking if the seller is firm on the price. However, it does have very nice components, for what was original. Suntour Superbe are very nice! I don't know the "upgrades" that he made. If the wheels need to be trued and new pedals added, I would start to worry about expenses to get it ride-ready again. Maybe you could talk him down closer to $300.

Here is a pic of mine just after I removed it from the box.

Note: If you do buy it and want to make it a fixie (hopefully not), please contact me about the components. I'd be interested in them for another bike of mine.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=128958

thanks,
yeah i had the year wrong. he sent me some hi rez pics, it looks good except for a little rust on the spokes. hmm I will have to think about it more.

Also, i am 6'2" and 205 lbs, I will not destroy the components would i? Usually I avoid super lightweight parts, but all the reviews I've read say it's pretty tough.

I'm not that experienced with them. I haven't even had mine for a year yet. However, from what little I have been riding it, I would doubt you would have a problem. I am just a bit over 190 and just at 6'. Suntour was really quite durable. It is all that I buy/use.

I have Suntour components on all of my other bikes and I have never had a problem with them.

BTW, Scott will be along shortly to comment. He is more knowledgeable on this than me, but he also may jump at it himself. He rides that size and would probably like another for himself.

Ha ha, yes, I'm so predictable.

The more high end Fuji's I acquire, the more I think they continue to be under valued. I saw the listing .... $390? I'd be all over that if I needed another and it was in good shape. Some of the tasty original components are missing (maybe), I'd look further into that. Here's mine:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...DSC00828-1.jpg

Good luck!

Scott

Well, it is only a matter of time before we chime in on a Fuji post.

BTW, is that the Jitensha wrap on your bars or the original wrap?

That's the original wrap, I've since switched off the bars with a shorter Nitto Pearl stem and the (RIP) Toshi maroon cloth from Jitensha.

Scott

Chrisb71: I don't know if you are still around, but I was thinking about that Opus lately. A Superbe group just sold on Ebay for just shy of $200. If you can talk him into tossing in the original Superbe pedals (assuming he kept those) or to a $325 price, I would consider that bike a bit more strongly than I first mentioned. Do you know what hubs are on it now? Since it has been reposted and it is close to x-mas, he will probably be more flexible. Of course, condition is key. You would really have to see it in person to make that call.