Fuji Opus III - I lucked out today! - Pic Heavy
09-13-16, 04:38 PM
#26
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Got it out again today on my base 23 mile daily route. Had a killer migraine that only got worse but still pulled off a 19.1 mph on the ride. Guess it holds speed by itself pretty well 'cause I was able to put much into it. Couldn't find a happy medium on the tension for the RD shifter. Had to keep it tighter than I'd like or the RD didn't want to stay in one gear. Don't know if that's the nature of the beast or a tuning issue.
Bike seemed to take the turns well without feeling too twitchy, just direct. But winds kept me from really getting the speed up and cranking it through the tight turns section.
Bike seemed to take the turns well without feeling too twitchy, just direct. But winds kept me from really getting the speed up and cranking it through the tight turns section.
09-13-16, 05:19 PM
#27
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I know some people pooh-pooh the idea of a production model being a grail bike in these parts, but this is absolutely a grail bike for me. Just everything from the components, to the paint to the geometry are absolutely my ideal, and words cannot express how jealous I am right now!
09-13-16, 06:22 PM
#28
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I know some people pooh-pooh the idea of a production model being a grail bike in these parts, but this is absolutely a grail bike for me. Just everything from the components, to the paint to the geometry are absolutely my ideal, and words cannot express how jealous I am right now!
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09-13-16, 06:27 PM
#29
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Such a cool looking bike. I love Suntour Superbe Pro, so pretty.
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09-14-16, 08:14 AM
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Great pics, great bike!
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for sharing
09-14-16, 02:02 PM
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What a great bike! This is maybe on my top 5 list of bikes I've been watching out for. One popped up and sat on Tampa CL, about 6 hours away. It just killed me. I was between cars and my 8 year old Honda was slowly dying. 2 weeks or so later, I had a brand new car and would have run down there in a second to get it! The biggest difference I think, from other high end Fujis, is that the frame finishing on the opus is masterful, with lots of attention given to the finest details.
09-14-16, 04:22 PM
#33
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Yes, it is so fine looking. I'm thinking a brown saddle and maybe my first ever brown leather bar tape will top this off properly.
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09-15-16, 02:15 AM
#34
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Got it out again today on my base 23 mile daily route. Had a killer migraine that only got worse but still pulled off a 19.1 mph on the ride. Guess it holds speed by itself pretty well 'cause I was able to put much into it. Couldn't find a happy medium on the tension for the RD shifter. Had to keep it tighter than I'd like or the RD didn't want to stay in one gear. Don't know if that's the nature of the beast or a tuning issue.
Bike seemed to take the turns well without feeling too twitchy, just direct. But winds kept me from really getting the speed up and cranking it through the tight turns section.
Bike seemed to take the turns well without feeling too twitchy, just direct. But winds kept me from really getting the speed up and cranking it through the tight turns section.
Race bikes are a special thing, aren't they? Glad you continue to enjoy it. Always a great feeling to ride something meant to be ridden, and ridden in a particular way. I'd love to pick up a 64cm version myself!
09-15-16, 11:48 AM
#36
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Everything about that bike is pure elegance - the fork rake, the base color, accents, components. Kudos to Fuji's designers and to you for grabbing it. That has to be up there with the top Lotus models for prettiest Japanese production bikes.
The seat post appears to be a Campy clone. There is an offset Campy 10mm spanner for it but I have better luck with a regular Craftsman 10mm. The tool you really want, I am told, is a 10mm wrench with a swiveling ratchet head.
The seat post appears to be a Campy clone. There is an offset Campy 10mm spanner for it but I have better luck with a regular Craftsman 10mm. The tool you really want, I am told, is a 10mm wrench with a swiveling ratchet head.
09-15-16, 12:12 PM
#37
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Very cool vintage racer. 
The two bolt saddle is a copy of the campy nuovo record post. They are a PITA to set up it's true, but the two bolts give you awesome fine control of the saddle pitch. There should probably be a Japanese copy of a turbo saddle on there....
Looks like a doctor/dentist/lawyer bike. Someone went in and bought the best, and then barely rode it.
The original CPSC reflectors are a crack up, but please take them off.
I HATED those things BITD, when even top end racing bikes were compelled to be sold with them.
Normally those friction shifter should hold even under hard sprinting. It's possible it was disassembled and put back together incorrectly, or it has too much grease.
Time to replace the brake pads for sure. Those brakes were very nice and at least as good as campys.
At the time, handlebars were pretty much either 38 or 40.
The two bolt saddle is a copy of the campy nuovo record post. They are a PITA to set up it's true, but the two bolts give you awesome fine control of the saddle pitch. There should probably be a Japanese copy of a turbo saddle on there....
Looks like a doctor/dentist/lawyer bike. Someone went in and bought the best, and then barely rode it.
The original CPSC reflectors are a crack up, but please take them off.
I HATED those things BITD, when even top end racing bikes were compelled to be sold with them. Normally those friction shifter should hold even under hard sprinting. It's possible it was disassembled and put back together incorrectly, or it has too much grease.
Time to replace the brake pads for sure. Those brakes were very nice and at least as good as campys.
At the time, handlebars were pretty much either 38 or 40.
09-16-16, 06:53 AM
#39
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Here's a 1985 that passed thru my collection briefly a few years back:
1985 Fuji "Opus III" Time Capsule - Vintage Fuji Archive
Scott
1985 Fuji "Opus III" Time Capsule - Vintage Fuji Archive
Scott
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09-16-16, 10:23 AM
#40
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Here's a 1985 that passed thru my collection briefly a few years back:
1985 Fuji "Opus III" Time Capsule - Vintage Fuji Archive
Scott
1985 Fuji "Opus III" Time Capsule - Vintage Fuji Archive
Scott
