Bike Forums - Old Fuji

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on the path

08-30-11 03:31 PM

Old Fuji

I posted this over in the road cycling forum. I hope I'm not violating any protocol by posting it here as well.

I thought maybe some of us "more mature" folks might know more about this bike I saw on craigslist today.

I'd appreciate any info or comments about the particular model and what to look for when I go to see it tomorrow. Thanks...

RonH	08-30-11 03:39 PM

Looks like a good bike. The folks in C&V are the experts on these things. Road Cycling, not as much.
Is it the correct size for you?
I'm no expert but I'd say just look for dents, cracks at the welds, rust, etc. Look for wear on the cogs and chainrings, etc. Give it a good ride to check the shifting, brakes, handling, comfort, grinding/noise in BB area, etc.

on the path

08-30-11 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonH (Post 13155431)

Thx. I'll try it over at C&V. I already have in the road cycling. Apologies to all if I'm cluttering up the forum.

And yes, I believe it will fit me.

NOS88

08-30-11 04:01 PM

You might want to check this web site which has lots of Fuji information: http://www.classicfuji.com/index.html

Louis

08-30-11 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOS88 (Post 13155515)

You might want to check this web site which has lots of Fuji information: http://www.classicfuji.com/index.html

Thanks for that link NOS88, I've already relayed it to help a poster on the touring forum.:thumb:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...8#post13155558

CACycling

08-30-11 06:12 PM

Suicide brake levers and stem shifters point to a lower end bike. Also, it looks like it might have chromed steel rims which are heavy and don't brake well especially when wet compared to alloy rims.

OldsCOOL

08-30-11 06:20 PM

Decent bike by the looks of it. See if they will budge on that price, though. It's no Ace or Finest.

on the path

08-30-11 06:40 PM

This is what came back on the C&V forum, and my response that followed:

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrk101 (Post 13155787)

Not grand, not a touring bike either. But priced at about its value, and it appears to be in really good condition. You can look up the information at the vintage Fuji site, they have all of the catalogs and specs. Can't really tell much from the picture, somewhere in the 1977 to 1979 time frame (only differences in those years was the color anyway).

Steel rims, high ten steel frame, stem shifters, claw rear derailleur hanger, steel handlebars, steel seat post, nutted rear axle, 30 pound bike. As you get in this price range, you either have to get lucky and scoop something fast, or you usually will get something pretty basic. Better bikes from that era start at about $200.

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the path (Post 13156098)

Wow...ok. I really do appreciate the info. That's a lot more than I could glean from:

http://www.classicfuji.com/

So I guess the bike in question would be more of a collectable/novelty than a daily driver. And even if as such, Sheldon Brown says about Fuji, "Not a whole lot collectible here."

I was hoping closer to 25lbs than 30. I suppose one could switch out the bars, seat post, etc for something lighter, but that's the path to making the bike into something that it isn't, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Thanks again

on the path

08-30-11 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CACycling (Post 13156037)

....stem shifters point to a lower end bike.....

What would have been higher end? Bar-end shifters?

Shifty

08-30-11 06:50 PM

No, better bikes from that time would have downtube shifters. That bike is a $15 -$20 bike.

rsacilotto

08-30-11 07:06 PM

I was just helping a friend of mine with a 1976 Gran Tourer - broken rear derailleur. Heavy bike, better than department-store bikes, but not all that much... Front derailleur shifts "backward", lever up = big ring. Not much to get excited about, lack of rear QR will make on-the-road repairs difficult.

on the path

08-30-11 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty (Post 13156212)

No, better bikes from that time would have downtube shifters. That bike is a $15 -$20 bike.

Riiight. Actually I think he'll sell it for that price, but won't sell it without the owner's manual, which is an additional $100....:thumb:

JanMM

08-30-11 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the path (Post 13156278)

won't sell it without the owner's manual, which is an additional $100....:thumb:

That's incredible.:lol:

wrk101

08-30-11 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the path (Post 13156176)

What would have been higher end? Bar-end shifters?

On a real touring bike? Sure. On anything else, down tube shifters.

That bike should sell for between $100 and $125 (its asking price). Market value of better vintage bikes here start at about $200. Sure, I have bought them for less, but I moved fast, and bought at a below market price.

Sculptor7

08-31-11 07:31 AM

I love old Fuji bikes. If it were for sale here I would definitely be interested. From the looks of it the price is fair.

YokeyDokey

08-31-11 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty (Post 13156212)

No, better bikes from that time would have downtube shifters. That bike is a $15 -$20 bike.

Where? Seriously - where would a fella look for serviceable $15 non-Huffys? Come on, I want to hear this. :-p

Shifty

08-31-11 05:10 PM

Maybe I'm saying that is what it would be worth to me. But really, it's not really a great bike, heavy tubing, poor components, marginal wheels. and probably not more than $300 new. In fact, I take back my offer, I wouldn't take it for $0.:lol:

on the path

08-31-11 06:02 PM

I think the bike is pretty. But...I'm not a collector. If I buy a geared bike I want to be able to enjoy riding it at least as much as I do my mid-level SS. I guess that would mean something with 700mm wheels that can handle higher pressure tires, and isn't overly heavy.

Based on the info I got here, injected into my thought process, I decided to pass on the Fuji.

CACycling

08-31-11 06:12 PM

27" wheels aren't necessarily a bad thing. There are plenty of 27" tires out there with max pressure ratings above 100 psi. The usual things to look for on vintage bikes are chrome fork tips and rear DOs; down tube shifters (or bar ends on touring bikes); absence of suicide levers; and alloy rims. Find all these on a bike that fits and give it a try.

on the path

08-31-11 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CACycling (Post 13161215)

27" wheels aren't necessarily a bad thing. There are plenty of 27" tires out there with max pressure ratings above 100 psi.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that the issue is more of the wheels not being able to handle the higher pressure tires(?). The tires may handle the pressure but only on wheels that can handle the tires and the pressure...

NOS88

09-01-11 06:22 AM

You know, the interesting thing is for someone out there a bike like this would be a dream come true. It would be transportation, or perhaps their first bike, or even a step up from what they may have now. We (yes, self included) can be such elitists at times. It may not be the right match for the OP, but it could be a prayer answered for someone else.

CACycling

09-01-11 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the path (Post 13161898)

That's why alloy rims were on my list of things to look for. The old steel rims were, for the most part, hookless and would not hold a tire at higher pressure (as well as not stopping well, especially when wet). AFAIK, alloys have all been hooked for a long, long time (my son's '81 Centurion, which is not a high end bike by any means, has hooked rims and holds high pressure tires just fine) so should not have a problem at higher pressures.

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