'87 Fuji Titanium (in my best Keanu voice, "whoa")
04-19-10, 01:33 PM
#1
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'87 Fuji Titanium (in my best Keanu voice, "whoa")
I've been a C & V active collector for less than a month but with unprecedented results. Craigslist found me a Fuji Touring Series IV in flawless condition which ignited a Fuji fire. I scoured the forums here for all things Fuji at one point seeing a C & V titanium thread which referenced a titanium Fuji with titanium fork (I thought I'd never even see one). After talking about C & V bikes constantly to whomever would listen, one day a coworker asked if I could grab something out of her car for her. The attached bike was in her trunk and had been hanging in her garage for years.
Her husband has a small fleet of nice bikes and while I had previously discussed mountain biking with him, he never mentioned this gem. I offered, he countered, I accepted. He had swapped out the original Suntour components for Dura-Ace upon purchase from a bike shop in Wichita and the frame turned out to be a little small for him so he logged minimal miles. I threw on new tubes/tires and lightly cleaned the frame and without further ado I'd like to present the 23 year old, 21 pound, hottest thing I'll see at the Lake this summer:
Her husband has a small fleet of nice bikes and while I had previously discussed mountain biking with him, he never mentioned this gem. I offered, he countered, I accepted. He had swapped out the original Suntour components for Dura-Ace upon purchase from a bike shop in Wichita and the frame turned out to be a little small for him so he logged minimal miles. I threw on new tubes/tires and lightly cleaned the frame and without further ado I'd like to present the 23 year old, 21 pound, hottest thing I'll see at the Lake this summer:
Last edited by OzarkKing; 04-19-10 at 01:38 PM. Reason: needed to add pics and my linking was unsuccessful
04-19-10, 01:35 PM
#3
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That is hot. The pictures don't display here, but I was able to open them in new browser windows.
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...k.jpg&newest=1
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...e.jpg&newest=1
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...n.jpg&newest=1
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...e.jpg&newest=1
How does it ride!?
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...k.jpg&newest=1
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...e.jpg&newest=1
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...n.jpg&newest=1
https://s1045.photobucket.com/albums/...e.jpg&newest=1
How does it ride!?
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-19-10, 01:40 PM
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mmmm 7400 dura-ace on Titanium......wow!
Dura-Ace stem too!?!
Dura-Ace stem too!?!
04-19-10, 02:07 PM
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04-19-10, 02:25 PM
#11
Ride heavy metal.
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I need coworkers such as yours. Where do you work?
04-19-10, 02:26 PM
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Interesting find as it predates the widespread availability of Merlins & Lightspeeds which really opened the floodgates on titanium bikes. I think the general consensus arrived at later was that titanium is actually a pretty poor material for building forks. You might want to research Ti forks further and decide if the fork is a deathtrap.
Also note that the frame is pure titanium instead of an alloy like most later Ti bikes use. Some of these early Ti bikes were built with off-the shelf, non-bike specific Ti tubing that is probably better suited for piping acidic/caustic chemicals, not necessarily optimized for strength.
Also note that the frame is pure titanium instead of an alloy like most later Ti bikes use. Some of these early Ti bikes were built with off-the shelf, non-bike specific Ti tubing that is probably better suited for piping acidic/caustic chemicals, not necessarily optimized for strength.
04-19-10, 02:26 PM
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Wow, think about it...
C&V = Cool
Titanium = Cooler
Fuji = Coolest
C&V Fuji Titanium = <insert over the top superlative here>
C&V = Cool
Titanium = Cooler
Fuji = Coolest
C&V Fuji Titanium = <insert over the top superlative here>
04-19-10, 02:32 PM
#14
Fuji Fan
Very nice.
04-19-10, 02:37 PM
#15
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Thanks for all the positive feedback (I feared some backlash as I'll admit I haven't put my time in the Craigslist trenches, the rummage sale drivebys, the thrift stores, the cold knocking and forum membership earning C & V street cred) and thanks for helping put up the pics. To better give you an idea of how much I've been talking classic Fujis, just this morning before a hearing, the judge said, "hows the touring bike?" to which I smiled and told her about the Ti find. As to "decide if the fork is a deathtrap" sounds awfully similar to a post in the 300 stolen bikes thread offering to help relieve any "Vitus bikes with the super dangerous aluminum death forks" but I do appreciate sharing the concern. There is a bikebuilder nearby who looked it over and gave it the green light (making sure nothing had fused to itself and teaching me the fundamentals of titanium).
04-19-10, 02:44 PM
#16
Fuji Fan
Scott: I think we need to start talking down about Fuji. We are getting too much competition.
04-19-10, 03:43 PM
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However, we both know that the TI Fuji is not a "real" Fuji ... right Matt, right?
Ozark, great find ... let us know how you enjoy riding it. You should send some photos over to Robatsu to post on his blog.
Scott
04-19-10, 04:04 PM
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04-19-10, 04:25 PM
#20
car dodger
The local Fuji dealer here has one of those bikes - he said they don't use Ti for forks now to save $. I suppose once carbon forks became economical and easily available Ti builders made the switch?
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1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
04-19-10, 04:36 PM
#21
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That makes sense, and the switch may have nothing to do with safety.
How much do mass produced carbon fiber frames cost nowadays?
How much do mass produced carbon fiber frames cost nowadays?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-19-10, 05:12 PM
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They can be had for as little a $500, Tom.
04-19-10, 05:30 PM
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I've been a C & V active collector for less than a month but with unprecedented results. Craigslist found me a Fuji Touring Series IV in flawless condition which ignited a Fuji fire. I scoured the forums here for all things Fuji at one point seeing a C & V titanium thread which referenced a titanium Fuji with titanium fork (I thought I'd never even see one). After talking about C & V bikes constantly to whomever would listen, one day a coworker asked if I could grab something out of her car for her. The attached bike was in her trunk and had been hanging in her garage for years.
Her husband has a small fleet of nice bikes and while I had previously discussed mountain biking with him, he never mentioned this gem. I offered, he countered, I accepted. He had swapped out the original Suntour components for Dura-Ace upon purchase from a bike shop in Wichita and the frame turned out to be a little small for him so he logged minimal miles. I threw on new tubes/tires and lightly cleaned the frame and without further ado I'd like to present the 23 year old, 21 pound, hottest thing I'll see at the Lake this summer:
Her husband has a small fleet of nice bikes and while I had previously discussed mountain biking with him, he never mentioned this gem. I offered, he countered, I accepted. He had swapped out the original Suntour components for Dura-Ace upon purchase from a bike shop in Wichita and the frame turned out to be a little small for him so he logged minimal miles. I threw on new tubes/tires and lightly cleaned the frame and without further ado I'd like to present the 23 year old, 21 pound, hottest thing I'll see at the Lake this summer:
04-19-10, 05:43 PM
#24
)) <> ((
this bike is serious.
regarding the fork, i don't think we treat our precious prizes rough enough where the fork would be a concern. if you are going to cx race it, maybe look into it further.
man, i bet that is a silky ride.
regarding the fork, i don't think we treat our precious prizes rough enough where the fork would be a concern. if you are going to cx race it, maybe look into it further.
man, i bet that is a silky ride.
04-19-10, 06:17 PM
#25
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