jimmaxwell

This Fuji Opus III (1985?) popped up on CL. Hoping to get an idea from you guys of what it will take (how much $/effort/time) to get this guy into ship-shape. He wants $200 for it. What is it missing? What looks like it needs replaced? It appears the suntour superbe components are all there but well-worn. Considering the condition shown in these photos, would you recommend this project, as this will be my first real experience with a vintage fixer-upper? I'm definitely willing and excited to learn about restoration and make this a decent ride, but I need to be out on the road commuting sooner... rather than later.

Due to the time-sensitive nature of this sale and my new user status, here is a link to the pics (sorry mods):

imgur.c o m/a/jERvvPd

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ryansu

Welcome to the Forums!

I am not a Fuji expert and I am also a cheap SOB so I might not go to $200 for any bike that was going to be a complete overhaul, that said depending on your location that might be an excellent price, where are you at? so locals can chime in..The components and rear drop outs say nice bike to me

Figure that you will probably need about $100 in parts to replace the consumables; tires, tubes, chain, cables and housing, lube and ball bearings, bar wrap, brakes pads etc. YMMV.

And depending on your tool box you may also need a few bike specific tools, the big question is does it fit?

Pic assist

jimmaxwell

ryansu, thanks for the post and pics. I'm in Boston so, so I'd expect the prices to be a bit inflated here... and the frame size is right on the money for me. Honestly, I'm just intrigued by this bike. From what I've gathered this model is relatively uncommon, has quality components, is well-respected by fuji people, and most importantly... (with the right tune up)...can be a screamer.

romperrr 

That's a nice bike. I'd pay $200 for it. It doesn't look like it'll need too much. Chain, cables, housing, repack the bearings, the material cost of which should be <$50; however if you don't have the tools or access the them, that will be an extra cost. Depending on your level of knowledge, this could take an afternoon or a few days.

I noticed you're looking for a commuter, this might not be ideal as it lacks eyelets for fenders which makes me think it's designed as a racing bike so the geometry might now be suitable for commuting. That being said, some people wouldn't mind commuting on a race bike.

Bring an allen wrench set with you to ensure the stem an seat post aren't seized.

jamesdak 

If it helps you can check out my gallery on my 1985 Opus III. Most of the first pics are how I picked it up. I think the only thing not original were the wheels and the saddle Oh and for $200 if it fit's I'd go for it!

opus_iii Photo Gallery by J Huddle at pbase.com

Wileyone 

Check prices on Ebay. The groupset is worth the $200.

friendofpugs

Yeah if the frame fits that's a solid buy. You get tired of it, part it out and come out ahead easy.

cb400bill

Thread moved to Appraisals forum.

rocks in head 

Similar Team Fuji's have appraised here for $150 - $200 for the frame and fork. The Team had similar racing geometry but Va-Lite tubing for the stays and fork, where the Opus had all the quad-butted tubing. Should be a 22lb bike.

It's been a while and the market is a bit crashed. Still probably worth it, especially if you are going to ride it. If you can stage all the essentials at work and ride unencumbered there's no reason not to commute on it.

rocks in head 

20 lbs. Nice.
​​​​​​https://www.classicfuji.com/1985_08_OpusIII_Page.htm

jamesdak 

Yeah, a bit optimistic I think.

Mine is 22.5 lbs. That's with leather tape over the original cloth, a leather saddle, look pedal, and all the reflectors pulled off.

Is was 22 lbs and 14 ozs when I got it. It was just missing the original tubular wheels and the original saddle

rocks in head 

Maybe they used the smallest frame size and left off things like toe straps? Still, a nice bike, and there's a lot lesser bikes selling in DC for that money.

jamesdak 

Oh yeah, I'm with you on that. My Opus III is my most beautiful bike and has a wonderful ride.

tmh657

You don't see the Opus 3 very often. I don't anyway. I had one go through my garage in June 2011 that was 1 size too small. Very pretty bike. Not quite as clean as the one jamesdak shows. I paid $200 for it without thinking twice and was contacted by someone that missed out on it. He wanted it BAD so it was sold to him for FMV which was a little more than 2x $200.

jimmaxwell

It's great to hear that this is such a memorable bike for so many of you. I set up a meeting with my guy and hopefully I'll have this in hand tomorrow morning. Looking closer at the pics he sent me, it looks like a tooth is snapped off the jockey wheel... so maybe I'll be able to talk him down another $20. Thanks for all the quick responses guys... I'll be sure to follow up after a deep clean.

dailycommute

I would pay 200 for the opus pictured above. Sure, no racks or fenders but I would say 75% of my commutes are on "racing" vintage steel including a team fuji. They roll well and tend to be bulletproof riders once tuned up.

zukahn1 

The price on the bike is great I would put FMV at about 2x the current asking price. As for what it needs looks to need new tires and full servicing all bearings greased, cables redone and new bartape. So figure on spending an additional $100 if you do the work yourself and $200 if you have a shop do it.

jimmaxwell

For anyone interested... Full specs for the bike as I received it:


Handlebar: Cinelli 66 Campione del Mondo

Stem: Cinelli Quill

Brakes: Dia Compe Royal

Pedals: Look a5.1

Rear hub: Miche Competition

Front hub: Sunshine Pro Am

Rims: Mavic Open Pro

Front Derailleur/Cranks/Shifters: Superbe Pro

Rear Derailleur/Chain: Superbe (with a broken pulley wheel)

Saddle: Fujita Conpy

Paint: 5/10. Looks pretty cool in the good spots.


Initial thoughts: It is fast. I really love this saddle. The turning radius is very very tight. It is very very light. Needs to be fully serviced though.

jamesdak 

Sweet, now you need to start a refurbish thread in the C&V forum. Oh and we have a rule. Pics or it didnt' happen.

And I'm envious, you got the original saddle!

zukahn1 

I have had a couple of similar champion framed bikes a 56cm typically curbs at about 21 lbs with tubies or race wheels with small slicks and 23lbs with clinchers and regular road training tires.

AngryFrankie

Those bikes offer a frame with master craftsmanship. It should be noticeably nicer than bikes like the TEAM, and those are very nice. Still get sick when I think about the one that sat on CL in Tampa, disguised by a bad pick and description. I just couldn't go get it at that moment.

jamesdak 

Stumbled back on this old post as I was researching something. I've been doing a major sell off locally of a lot of my collection. Had a buyer the other day offer me $500 for my Opus when he saw it while looking at another bike I had listed. He then he went all the away to $750 when I said I didn't want to sell it.. Guess I was dumb not to take that now as I see this post.

I do have some sweet shiny tubular rims on mine finally but still haven't glued on the tires. I need to get to that. They've been stretching for a couple of months now, LOL!