1973 Fuji Special Road Racer. Worth fixing up?
#1
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1973 Fuji Special Road Racer. Worth fixing up?
Here is another bike I was given from a garage clean out. Needs tires, and handlebar wrap. Looks pretty well equipped. I do have the original front tire, I took it off to go get tires for it. It had an old water bottle holder which was mounted over the FUJI on the center tube, which is why the logo isn't perfect. If I decoded the serial number correctly this is from 1973. Just wondering if it's worth fixing up and what it might be worth, I think the original Belt seat has some value. Overall I think it's kind of cool with the fenders and rear rack. Last value post I found was from 2010, so looking for a more recent appraisal. Thank much.
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Not a bad project bike at all. Should clean up very nicely! I really like the aggressive chainstay dimpling.
I would not dump a lot of $$ into it however. Take all the time you need!
I would not dump a lot of $$ into it however. Take all the time you need!
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personally Rewarding project
not an investment
not an investment
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#4
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I still have my September '74-built '75-model year S-10S that I bought new in '76.. K9I003xx Yours has steel rims, whereas later years were equipped with aluminum. You might want to check out a local bike co-op for a set of replacement wheels. Looks to be in remarkable shape - just clean/lube and replace consumables.
Mine has had numerous upgrades/parts replacements in the 44 years since! Note that it still has the original Fujita Belt saddle, too!
Mine has had numerous upgrades/parts replacements in the 44 years since! Note that it still has the original Fujita Belt saddle, too!
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I had a really clean one with a rock hard BELT saddle that I sold for $180. So worth would be in your time to clean it up.
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Here is another bike I was given from a garage clean out. Needs tires, and handlebar wrap. Looks pretty well equipped. I do have the original front tire, I took it off to go get tires for it. It had an old water bottle holder which was mounted over the FUJI on the center tube, which is why the logo isn't perfect. If I decoded the serial number correctly this is from 1973. Just wondering if it's worth fixing up and what it might be worth, I think the original Belt seat has some value. Overall I think it's kind of cool with the fenders and rear rack. Last value post I found was from 2010, so looking for a more recent appraisal. Thank much.
That's certainly been my strategy having acquired a really rusty SRR in '14. Early this year I got as far as painting the "too far gone" oxidized & rusted parts black. I'm letting that paint cure in the now summertime heat - that's my story...
Do I remember you having the bill of sale from your SRR? I just found the bill of sale and all associated paperwork from my 1st bike store bike, a Fuji Supreme. Is there a thread of original bill of sale receipts?
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Wow, great! Yes clean and lube and ride. Evaporust for the small chrome bit if you have not used it before. For large chrome eg (steel) rims crumpled aluminum foil (shiny side out? does it matter?) after cleaning to remove rust; cheap and effective. I have a 75 in white I need to finish.
That is the newest looking belt addle I have ever seen.
Enjoy.
That is the newest looking belt addle I have ever seen.
Enjoy.
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Last new bike 1991
Last new bike 1991
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#8
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Absolutely yes. That bike is worth fixing up. It has a high tensile steel alloy frame that is surprisingly light once you strip all the parts off it. If you ditch the chrome steel wheels for some nice new alloy wheels you can get that bike down to around 25lbs. Mount some brand new Continental or Michelin tires & that bike has potential to be an amazing ride. Be good. Have fun.
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If you do decide to sell it, switch out the Belt for an inexpensive one. I own a Belt and have never ridden it but people seem to love them and they sell well on the 'bay. Every time I pull it out I marvel at how thick the leather is and it's a cool looking seat.
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That is in nice shape! It should clean up nicely. Probably best to leave it stock. The money you would spend could go towards another project with whatever upgrades you need. Later versions of the bike saw major improvements. Yours is one of the earliest versions, and it is complete and original! You can try The Bikesmiths in Milwaukee for deals on 27" tires. That's if they have any in stock with pandemic bike demand draining inventories.
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[QUOTE=Skye_Walker77;21543637]
[QUOTE]
Skye Walker if you do decide to keep it original and use the Dia Compe brakes, I see that grommet piece you're missing on the left side being hard to find. I've got the original center pull brakes I don't plan to use if you want them, I'll send them your way. However they do look pretty bad, but you can probably just use the grommet-like piece. PM me if you want it.
[QUOTE]
Skye Walker if you do decide to keep it original and use the Dia Compe brakes, I see that grommet piece you're missing on the left side being hard to find. I've got the original center pull brakes I don't plan to use if you want them, I'll send them your way. However they do look pretty bad, but you can probably just use the grommet-like piece. PM me if you want it.
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#14
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I was so happy to find my entire packet of owners manual, bill of sale, salesman's business card (who was a local surfing icon) and even a city bike registration receipt. Looks like I was a victim of inflation by '82 ! The Supreme was a more entry level bike than the S 10 S but it was one of the few frames Fuji offered in 27"
This was also the third Fuji I bought from that shop. The first being a '74 all-steel Special Tourer, that was stolen three months later from the high school bike rack. The second being the first's identical replacement. F9B18529 being the bike that was stolen, and replaced with F9B18546. The latter was sold to a buddy's sister two years later so I could afford the upgrade to the S-10S. I really wanted the America, but couldn't afford/justify the extra $100 in list price since I was a full-time college student! The America listed at $330, and a whole year at college (Ohio State) in '76/77 was ~$2700 for tuition/room/board!
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Skye_Walker77 , That would be a very worthwhile restoration project. I just finished a complete restoration of a 1974 Raleigh which I documented in the following threads, I hope they will give some insight and inspiration:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...1-headset.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ket-crank.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-3-brakes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...railleurs.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...alignment.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-6-pedals.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...1-headset.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ket-crank.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-3-brakes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...railleurs.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...alignment.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-6-pedals.html
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Hold on to the Belt saddle. It will be easy to sell on eBay. I looked for some time for a Belt to complete my Fuji rebuild.
My family's bike shop in Kinston,NC sold Fuji all during the 70s. My first nice bike was an S-10S. Still have it but it has been painted several times.
Can't believe how many leather saddles we threw away back then.
My family's bike shop in Kinston,NC sold Fuji all during the 70s. My first nice bike was an S-10S. Still have it but it has been painted several times.
Can't believe how many leather saddles we threw away back then.
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I've been taking pictures of bikes that come in for repair.
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