Fuji America
 

I bought this bike used yesterday. It's spotless. I'm wondering if anyone knows much about it. I think it's a top of the line Fuji touring bike from the early 80s. It's a double butted, lugged chromoly frame.
Does anyone have any information about this bike?

I can post pictures soon...

Pictures are always appreciated. :) Make sure to post the serial number too.

Your bike should be similar to this 1976.

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalog.../Page04-05.JPG

Pics
 

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik...c53e8bd8d38236
http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik...c53e99dab53f68

Hope these pictures work. They're probably small ones, because I shot em on my phone.

This bike has some pretty incredible components. It shifts like a brand new bike.

Sugino Triple Crank Set 36-44-53
Shimano 600 6 sprocket freewheel 13-18
Shimano 600 rear derailer
Suntour Superbe front derailer
Suntour Superbe Pro breaks and break levers
Suntour Superbe Pro hubs
Matric ISO C-II 700C Aero rims
Cinelli handlebar and stem

Came with Shimano 600 rat trap pedals and Nashbar shoes, but I swapped em for a pair of (gasp, oh dear) sturdy bmx platforms. Might seem like an incredibly dumb move, but I didn't feel like ebaying them. The bikeshop mechanic who adjusted my cables was a good fellow. He seemed stoked about them, so I gave them to him. This is gonna be my getting around town transportation, and I don't wanna be clipped in at stoplights, etc., so I've no need for them.
Any thoughts on wheels? These wheels seem awful nice and they ride incredibly smooth, but I worry I might need something a step down for everyday commuting. Or are these a sturdy type of rim? (Spokes are stainless steel interlaced cross 3.)

Pics did not come thru. Post them to Photobucket and post a link.

That's one of Fuji's supplies of 1980's "touring" bikes. They were well made and were really more designed for being a quick sport's type bike - for getting around town and commuting rather than being weighed down with luggage for extended tours. They sold alongside Motobecane and Univega. Everyone 16 to 26 had one. I remember them well - having a Motobecane of similar quality at the time - for a couple of months before this ditz ran me over with her car. After I was through with her insurance company - I went all-out. But that's another story (justice!).

I'm sure they can serve your purpose of being a good, fast commuting bike - aero rims and all. These things were designed for kids with some funding from parents who didn't like buying junior stuff that broke. And kids are maniacs. If you're nervous, just look around for some steel rimmed wheels in 700c. Might be hard to find though. At this era everyone wanted alloy and alloy they did get. Steel wheels were soon grazing with the buffalo.

Sounds like a nice bike.

Just keep your tires fully inflated ( you may need to pump them up every other day or so) and you'll be fine. A good pump is the single best investment you can make to keep your bike functioning well.

Also, once you get good and comfortable with the bike and, if you like riding fast or long distances, you should consider either riding with clips (just keep them loose) or clipless (you'll get used to them in about ten minutes). You'll really enjoy riding that much more.

Enjoy!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/...483686.jpg?v=0

Congratulations. I just picked this one up last month.

The Fuji America was no kids bike. It was marketed to the "serious" sport / touring enthusiast. It was an expensive bike for its day.

Not that it matters but if your bike is an early to mid 80's bike it is not in original condition. (Nice components though)

It was where I was from - rich brats. $500 and up was common. But they are nice bikes - especially for their day. I'd see them jumping curbs and holding onto cars doing 40mph. This was typical of the things the kids put these through. Bottom-Line: The Fuji and Motobecane and Univega would survive with little damage. The kids would end up in casts and limping. LOL.

They are quite well made machines. Wish I'd bought up a fleet.

I guess it depends on the neighborhood you grew up in. Kind of like HS kids driving Corvette's or 911's.

That was my first nice bike I put over 40,000 miles on it and would love to find one as nice as yours.

A beautiful ride! I hadn't been familiar with the Fuji America until reading this thread last night. Then today when at the Portland [Maine] Head Light [lighthouse], parked against the building was an identical America, but fully loaded for touring and scratched all too hell from years on the road. Great stuff. :thumb: