One the major brands that is woefully lacking in available reference material is Fuji. My aim is to create a database of Fuji models, their specs and serial numbers, in the hope of decoding the serial numbers to provide a more accurate method of dating them. Secondary rewards would be a timeline of models. Last year, I performed a similar and quite successful exercise for Centurion. Hopefully, the same will happen with Fuji.
To this end, it would be appreciated if Fuji owners would submit posts with pics and specs of their Fuji. A full, drive side view is the preferred pic. Requested info is model, year (if known), frame material and make, model and date codes of major components. For component date code format, location and decypher, refer to
http://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm .
Thank-you in advance for your contributions. Where possible, I will answer questions as they arise. General developments in the database will be reported in this post (ie post
#1 ) below:.
FUJI Catalog Numbers and resources:
Fuji catalog numbers decoded.
#1 = 1971.
#2 = 1972,
#3 = 1973, etc. See post
#2 0 for details.
Known Fuji catalogs on internet:
# 6 (1976) -
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Fuji-76/
# 7 (1977, partial) -
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Jap...uji75specs.htm
#1 0 (1980, specs only) - attached to post
#1 8
#2 0 (1990) -
http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/fuji/fujipage.htm
SERIAL NUMBERS 1971-1974*:
Serial number format WXYZZZZZ where;
W = a letter, all cases to date being F, K or M, with F presumibly indicating Fuji.
X = a number, indicating the last digit of the Japanese Imperial calendar year, Showa reign (6 = Showa 46 = 1971, 7 = Showa 47 = 1972, etc.)
Y = a letter, indicating the calendar month of manufacturer (A = January, B = February, C = March, etc.)
ZZZZZ = four or five digit number sequence, probably indicating frame number during month
Example: F7C10256 indicates the 10,256th frame manufactured during March 1972.
* The serial number format may extend beyond 1971-1974, in either direction, but to date, data samples lie within this range.
SERIAL NUMBERS 1976-1978*:
Serial number format YYXZZZZZ where:
YY = two numbers indicating the year of production
X = a letter, indicating the calendar month of manufacturer (A = January, B = February, C = March, etc)
ZZZZZ = a five digit number sequence, probably indicating frame number during month
Example: 77B13425 indicates the 14.425th frame manufactured during February 1977.
* The serial number format may extend beyond 1976-1978, in either direction, but to date, data samples lie within this range.
SERIAL NUMBERS 1980-1987*:
Serial number format WXYZZZZZ where;
W = a letter, presumibly indicating a Fuji facility or contractor. To date, samples have included F, I , J, K & S.
X = a letter, indicating the calendar month of manufacturer (A = January, B = February, C = March, etc)
Y = a number, indicating the last digit of the calendar year of manufacture (0 = 1980, 1 = 1981, 2 = 1982, etc.)
ZZZZZ = a five digit number sequence, probably indicating frame number during month
Example: FB125349 indicates the 25,349th frame manufactured during February 1981.
*The serial number format may extend beyond 1980-1987, in either direction, but to date, data samples lie within this range.
SPECIAL SERIAL NUMBERS 1984-1985*:
Serial number format XYZZZ where;
X = a letter, indicating the calendar month of manufacturer (A = January, B = February, C = March, etc)
Y = a number, indicating the last digit of the calendar year of manufacture (i.e. 5 = 1985)
ZZZ = a two or three number sequence, probably indicating frame number during month
Example: B514 indicates the 14th frame manufactured during February 1985.
This format is found on high end models offered under the Fuji design Series and Fuji Signature Series labels. Based on the unique format and serial number, they appear to be low volume, hand-built models.
*The serial number format may extend beyond 1984-1985, in either direction, but to date, data samples lie within this range.