1980s Fuji America Touring Bike
04-18-20, 03:43 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
1980s Fuji America Touring Bike
Hey all, came across this ad on Kijiji and thought this was a beautiful bike. I'm really into vintage touring bikes but am still learning. I have a bike I'm happy with so don't really need one but am just curious to get people's thoughts on this bike and what it's worth. Thanks in advance!
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-road-bike/ki...ium/1495424510
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-road-bike/ki...ium/1495424510
04-18-20, 03:48 PM
#2
Senior Member
It is a superbe quality bike made in Japan. Looks all original except for the pedals, seat and brake levers. The original bike came with real Sanshin sealed bearing hubs. I cannot tell from the pics if the wheels are original. In my opinion the asking price is a bit high- maybe $300 would be a bit fairer.The nice thing about a late 70's/early 80's Fuji bike, made in Japan, is that the internal parts are top quality . Everything can be disassemble, cleaned, and lubed up and will last thousands of miles.
Likes For jacksbike:
04-18-20, 04:27 PM
#3
Senior Member
The Fuji America was the predecessor to the Fuji Touring Series (III, IV, and V). All are great bikes! BUT $400 is a bit steep. More like a $200-250 bike around here, but then again, location, Location, LOCATION! Then there is also timing.
I was able to buy my '84 Univega Gran Tourismo (Built by Miyata and ~equal to the Miyata 610 of the same year) for $160 in as-issued condition. Only the tires had been changed. I'd consider the Fuji America to be ~equal as well. MAYBE the Fuji is a tad higher since it has SunTour barcon shifters....
I was able to buy my '84 Univega Gran Tourismo (Built by Miyata and ~equal to the Miyata 610 of the same year) for $160 in as-issued condition. Only the tires had been changed. I'd consider the Fuji America to be ~equal as well. MAYBE the Fuji is a tad higher since it has SunTour barcon shifters....
04-18-20, 05:22 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,450
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 791 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
406 Posts
$400 is certainly steep, and, if you wait, you certainly will see similar bikes pop up for cheaper. The only questions are:
1. Do you want to wait?
2. Would you be willing to hound kijiji for months on end to snag the right deal?
Also...
Just a little bike-curious, eh? We've all been there 
I was "just curious" about Raleigh Super Courses and then I found myself with one in no time.
1. Do you want to wait?
2. Would you be willing to hound kijiji for months on end to snag the right deal?
Also...
I have a bike I'm happy with so don't really need one but am just curious
I was "just curious" about Raleigh Super Courses and then I found myself with one in no time.
Likes For Piff:
04-18-20, 05:39 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: BC
Posts: 59
Bikes: 1990 Rocky Mountain Hammer, 19(7?)?Le Croco, 2000 Mikado Magellan
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
14 Posts
That 400$ is Canadian, if the above estimates were in USD it works out to somewhere between the two.
I only see one set of threaded holes for a bottle cage which might be annoying for full on touring, and it doesn't have some of the features that other famed tourers have (cantilever brakes, rear/front rack etc.).
I only see one set of threaded holes for a bottle cage which might be annoying for full on touring, and it doesn't have some of the features that other famed tourers have (cantilever brakes, rear/front rack etc.).
04-18-20, 06:31 PM
#6
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,625
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3084 Post(s)
Liked 6,545 Times
in
3,757 Posts
04-18-20, 06:35 PM
#7
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,625
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3084 Post(s)
Liked 6,545 Times
in
3,757 Posts
Always liked the style of these bikes.
04-18-20, 06:53 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York Metro Area
Posts: 3,861
Bikes: '02 Litespeed, '99 Bianchi Alfana. '91 Fuji Saratoga, '84 Peugeot Canyon Express, '82 Moto GR, '81 Fuji America, '81 Fuji Royale; '78 Bridgestone Diamond Touring, '76 Fuji America, plus many more!
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
126 Posts
The part about poor cosmetic condition would make me think it's worth less. Not familiar with the pricing in that area, but it still has to hurt value.
04-18-20, 08:47 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,431
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5885 Post(s)
Liked 3,468 Times
in
2,078 Posts
$400 Canadian is around $300 US. The price is fair for that bike. That is a very high quality bike with quality components (mighty tour triple crank, cyclone derailleurs, barcons, quality sidepulls). If I wanted that bike and it were my size, I'd pay that much for that bike.
04-18-20, 09:17 PM
#10
Senior Member
You did fine. (Not everybody can pick up a beautiful early 80's Fuji touring bicycle for $5 at the Goodwill store). I specialize in buying, selling, trading, & repairing vintage Japanese bikes. All of these 80's Fujis are extremely good value bikes. If you compare it to something built today it would be about a $2000 bike. If you compare it to something new built in Italy it would be about a $4000 bike. Old Fuji's are indestructable. Bullet proof. Some of the finest bicycles ever produced. Be good. Have fun.
