Fujita Seamless saddle
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Fujita Seamless saddle
This saddle, which came to me on a recent acquisition, is in rough shape, but poking around reveals that it may be rare and/or desireable. Is that correct? Just wondering what I have — I don’t have any illusions about value given the condition.
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In its current poor condition, very little value if any.
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Nothing real special in my opinion just another nice leather over plastic saddle. You can pic up similar saddles in real nice condition for $20-30 pretty easy.
#4
incazzare.
Ironic that it is "seamless" but covered in stitching.
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I like to have little projects here and there, and I have no black saddles at the moment that I want to use, so I decided to recover this saddle using the technique outlined in a thread here on BF. An added bonus — this keeps me from buying one of the several frames I’ve seen pop up recently in my size.
I am halfway there, having removed the leather topper. This meant snipping each thread to avoid tearing up the foam, and then each thread loop had to be picked out individually. It’s a process I expect to be enjoyable exactly once, so it’s good that I only have one of these quilted saddles.
I am halfway there, having removed the leather topper. This meant snipping each thread to avoid tearing up the foam, and then each thread loop had to be picked out individually. It’s a process I expect to be enjoyable exactly once, so it’s good that I only have one of these quilted saddles.
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Many thanks to member @ScottRyder for his vintage Japanese bike site that shows me what this saddle must have looked like when it was new:
https://fujitasaddleyfc.posthaven.co...r-deluxe-black
https://fujitasaddleyfc.posthaven.co...r-deluxe-brown
https://fujitasaddleyfc.posthaven.co...r-deluxe-black
https://fujitasaddleyfc.posthaven.co...r-deluxe-brown
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Thread title edited and thread moved from Appraisals to regular C&V.
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My new Mizutani Super came with one of these in 75?, it was cool albeit not comfortable. Always thought this was diamond tuck with no roll.
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I've got one somewhere in my big box o' saddles. 1973 version in real good shape. It's not too bad to ride but I prefer the suspended leather (Brooks/Ideale) or naked plastic (Unicanitor) saddles better.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
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I have Brooks on my bikes, but the width on this Fujita looks like it's in between my B17's and the Concor that I just sold (which was too narrow for me), so I'm looking forward to trying it with new leather. Plus, it's more for the tinkering than anything else. Snipping the threads while my daughters sat next to me and watched a cartoon on a Sunday afternoon was pretty relaxing.
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But yes, they can be. A good plastic saddle feels pretty much the same as a good leather saddle. For long distance riding, if there's any chance of rain*, I use a plastic saddle.
I have made some changes to the ones I'm using, though. They were too hard, so I cut some of the plastic off the top.
*With long distance riding there is always a chance of rain.
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Ask and ye shall receive!
I have another one just like it, too, but in rougher shape and not an actual Fujita.
I have another one just like it, too, but in rougher shape and not an actual Fujita.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
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Catalogue pages from the manufacturer -
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Catalogue pages from the manufacturer -
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Thanks, @Lascauxcaveman and @juvela for posting the examples and history!
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Nice to see my Fujita blog is getting some viewers!
I've ridden with that saddle many times, actually quite comfortable for me. Not to hard, not too soft. This saddle was available as an upgrade on the early Fuji Finest. The original leather version, not the later plastic material.
Another interesting thing about these Fujita saddles. In the back, where the two rails attach. you'll frequently see these are cut or split, separated from the main base. That's because the leather was trimmed by hand and the worker wasn't careful and cut too far into the plastic.
Good luck with the restoration!
Scott
I've ridden with that saddle many times, actually quite comfortable for me. Not to hard, not too soft. This saddle was available as an upgrade on the early Fuji Finest. The original leather version, not the later plastic material.
Another interesting thing about these Fujita saddles. In the back, where the two rails attach. you'll frequently see these are cut or split, separated from the main base. That's because the leather was trimmed by hand and the worker wasn't careful and cut too far into the plastic.
Good luck with the restoration!
Scott
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One of those came on the Nishiki Competition I bought in 1972 or 73. I replaced it when I converted the bike to upright bars and thumb shifters. Somewhere along the years and moves I've lost the saddle, Suntour barcons, and wound cable housings. It was a very good saddle.
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njs or the professional variety are a bit too
narrow which equal to soreness for a longer period? than the flatter ones, I wanna know..
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Scott
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