I just purchased a bike today, but can't figure out what brand it is. It's been painted and all identifiable markings and stickers have been removed. The rear derailleur says 'Shimano 200GS' and the crank arm says Fuji, but I'm pretty sure neither of those is original. The best hints are the head tube, which has a pretty unique pattern on it, and the stem shifters, which have "FINGER TIP" written on them. No braze ons for water bottle if that helps date it at all. 6 speed freehub, but not sure if that is original either.

THE S/N appears to have two letters and then 6 digits. Can't read the letters, digits are 124318.

Thanks!

No clue. Rear derailleur is def not original. That's a pretty neat stem though.

I think we'll need better photos of the frame details; dropouts, bottom bracket, lugs, fork crown, any other details like cable stops, cable guides, etc. Based on the stem alone, I'm thinking it's French, but that's premature speculation.

Okay, I took a bunch of pictures, posted them here: https://picasaweb.google.com/1000402...01099035/Bike# (my apologies if I labeled anything wrong, I'm pretty new to bikes).

Other things I've discovered: front derailleur is Suntour, looks like it could be original. Stem shifters are Shimano. Stem says AVA on the side, but obviously that may not be original. Quick release on wheels says 'Shwinn approved' but I'm guessing those aren't original either.

i'd say FrankenBike

the stem is up dangerously high...but while it is check and see if it's stamped 22.0 or 22.2 (or measure the diameter of the quill with digital calipers) then push it down.
What about the seat post: any numbers stamped on it?
It might be French (the stem is), but with the "Fuji" crank it either has a British/ISO BB or somebody has fitted a JIS crank to a French spindle...frame could be British or Japanese, too.
BTW, the strange little drop-bolt tab for the front brake are also a little worrisome (since it seems to be held on by just a machine screw)...if the front brake will reach without that, I'd lose it...or get a brake caliper that will reach.

Low end 80's Japanese bike. Stamped dropouts, Schwinn approved skewers, low end Shimano and Suntour parts, bad prep on that repaint. Pretty color.