delbiker1 

I recently rebuilt a 1988? Fuji Ace. I had a sort of a plan when I started the project, but it was adaptable from the start. I knew I wanted a classic look with a twist, more of a fun, one of a kind look. I brush painted the frame with dark grey Rustoleum, used a mix of parts that I had on hand, and then decided to stickerize the bike in a way that meant something to me. The bike is pretty basic looking, rides really nice, and took more effort than I was planning on. That is mostly due to painting issues. It is my first, maybe only, frame set paint job, and it was a frustrating learning process. I started over 3 times, and redid coats a couple of times. In the end, I mostly like the way it came out, and it does make a statement about me and bikes. I guess I just needed a project to work on.

The frame/fork fits 32mm tires, a real plus for multi-purpose, has DT shifters, set on friction, triple 48/38/28 crank set, and 9 speed cassette 12-26. I cannot use the 12t, or any other smallest cog due to a repair on the hanger that prevents shifting to that cog. No big deal, the limit set to negate that shift. So, with the triple and the 8 speed 13-26, I have a wide range with small gaps. The bike is quite heavy and there is not much that can be done about that, and really not necessary nor worth what the cost would be. I also have flat pedals on it, and a Brooks B17 narrow, and it is good to ride with non-cycling apparel.

I am pleased with the way it came out. It was a good learning process for me. I don't know how much I will ride it, but I like it hanging on the wall also.

delbiker1 

delbiker1 

all in all, it was a fun, unique, bike project, at least, for me.

ShannonM

Diggin' it. Only things I'd add are bigger bags and maybe fenders if you get rained on. Like you said, it's already heavy, might as well make it mo' useful. You've got eyelets, too, so a rear rack wouldn't be a terrible idea.

According to the catalogs at the Classic Fuji site, the Ace was only available for two years, 1989 and 1990. Looks like it shared a frameset with the Club, but with a lower component spec and an all-black look. My 1985 League sat in the same spot in the lineup, and the geometries are similar. (A little steeper and shorter on the newer frames, as was typical for the period.) Solid, well-built, nice-riding, sport touring UJBs.

Sport touring bikes are cool, and Fuji made some good 'uns.

--Shannon

PS: There's a "Show Us Your Fuji" thread on the Classic & Vintage forum. Your bike would be most welcome.

delbiker1 

ShannonM , thanks for the comments and suggestions. I already have fenders, other bags and racks that can be used front or back. The fenders I have will not fit with 32mm, max being 28mm. I have no problem switching to 28, I just wanted to try the 32 since I already had them. One of the racks and fenders will be mounted at some point. I am thinking of doing a 3 or 4 day semi-local tour of Sussex Co, DE., this is the bike I would use. I will check out the Fuji thread on C&V.

Deal4Fuji

Where'd you get your stickers ?

delbiker1 

Deal4Fuji Fuji, the stickers were purchased off Ebay and came from Asia. They were only $5.00 in an auction, shipping included. I looked quite a bit, and these came up for sale, they were what I was looking for. They appear to be good quality. I did another multi-surface ride on the bike today and I am really liking the ride. It is about as flat as it can be here in south-coastal Delaware, so the weight is not much of a factor. Also, when I ride this bike I am not looking to crank it up. I did kick up the pace and did more high speed maneuvering on the ride this morning, It is an all around, just about perfect, not quite a beater bike, for me.

Cougrrcj

A Fuji Ace is 'quite heavy'???? All of my bikes are close to 26-30 pounds as-ridden ( including pump, tool kit, spare tube, etc). The oldest bike ('75 S-10S) started out (stock) at 26.5 lbs but add a rear rack, triple crankset, lights, reflectors, and the above-mentioned accessories, and the weight is now ~30 pounds... The newest bike ('86 Miyata 710) started out at 24.1 but after adding stuff is closer to ~25.5lbs as ridden... Neither bike would I call 'Heavy' in the C&V world....

BTW, I like the stickers you used!

.

Cougrrcj

BTW, the last catalog mention of 'The Ace' in the 'Boom' era was 1976 - but it would not have had a unicrown fork...

BUT tthe 'Ace' model name was resurrected starting in the 1989 model year... If you'd look up the serial number using T-mar's very informative post ( Asian Serial Number Guide ) this will narrow things down a bit...

Retro Grouch 

Here's the deal: There are roughly 7.7 billion people on earth. That bike has only one purpose - to make just one of them, it's owner, happy. You have a sticker on it that says "My Bike Makes Me Happy". If that's true, that's all that matters.

Actually, when I think about it that way, that bike kind of makes me happy too.

dmark 

I like it. (but something I'd never do)

delbiker1 

@Retro Grouch, my reason, exactly, for even starting on the bike. I get a kick out of riding it, and the process was frustrating and a teaching experience. I have approx. 125 miles on it since I finished it, including a 40 pavement, cinder, gravel and dirt ride. I have fenders I can put on it, but, for them to fit, I have to switch from 32 mm to 28mm tires. I have gotten a couple of comments from people that were not cyclists, but noticed the stickers. As stated above, I just wanted to make a statement about what bikes have meant to me for a long time. It means something to me, no more than that.