Schreck83 

From time to time I have searched without luck for an early Fuji Finest in my size. Two recent threads (Dearth of top line Japanese bikes
and smontanaro Fuji Finest Details) prompted me to have another look and this time I found one.

The Finest wasn’t the top of the line in 1972 but it did make the statement that Fuji could build a bike as good as a Paramount with Japanese components that were comparable to high end European parts. I remember seeing The Finest hanging in the window of my LBS, where it was in rotation with the Newest, a PX-10 and a UO-8. I could only afford a UO-8.

Here is the frame


Chrome stay caps


Headset without markings




Big dimples

The F Racing stickers are printed on reflective backing

Schreck83 

There seems to be a white/grey undercoat beneath the blue paint. Most of the dings are on the NDS.

Serial number K7A... points to early 1972 build date.
I haven't started to clean or polish yet, but the variation in the depth of the blue finish is interesting. Any suggestions for bringing this finish back to life are welcome.

The frame tubes are not mitered and appear to stop well before meeting the other frame tubes

No sign of a kickstand attack!

cb400bill

I've always thought that these were the prettiest vintage Fuji bikes.

juvela

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will look forward to following along with the build

is it my imagination or have all of our threads on these been of Rainbow Blue examples?

unable to recall a thread on a White laddie...

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unmarked headset is Tange model Falcon, it has a very nice finish and appearance but the races are not rectified after plating

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unclear to me from text if you got the complete machine or the frameset only


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sd5782 

Also looking forward to your build. Owners of these report very pleasant sport touring ride characteristics. My 72 Newest was in just slightly better cosmetic condition and I resisted the urge to strip the paint. Touch up and patina was fine for a fifty year old bike. Others are more particular about the cosmetics than I am though. What are your plans on the build? I feel on a patina frame like this, almost anything pre 80s is fine, but it kinda needs to be Suntour drivetrain and shifters. Have fun!

Schreck83 

I am fine with patina, especially since the frame is fully chromed. The areas of white primer may simply get a blue sharpie but most likely I won't be able to resist some touch-ups. I have most of the original components and they are in great shape, so it will be a clean, lubricate and reassemble exercise. The original owner made some changes (clinchers and a longer stem) that I'll keep, so for now, my vision for this is a 52-year old survivor.

Schreck83 

It was listed as a frameset with the other parts available at a very good price. When bikes are this old they often see a lot of component changes but the seller assured me this was not the case, so I went for the package. There was no saddle or toeclips, so I picked up appropriate replacements for those in addition to the normal consumables.

sd5782 

Touch up is something I have not had too much luck with, but presentable from 5 feet is good enough. I have a stock comp V front derailleur for mine but don’t know if I could get used to the backwards action on it. As you said, a 52 year old survivor is the most impressive thing and the very nice ride qualities too. My Newest compares very favorably with my full 531 Trek. Hopefully your Finest in the larger size is similar .

zandoval 

So many nice things about our old FUJIs. Finest forks ever made for comfortable ridding...

FUJI

Motobecane

nlerner

Nice project! A couple of years back, I acquired a Finest frameset from a local seller. The white paint was pretty trashed, so I decided to strip it off and see what was underneath. Here's a pic with the initial paint stripper doing its thing:


It polished up quite well, and I sourced replacement decals from VeloCals (RIP!) and built it up as a 1x5 machine:


I ended up giving the frame to a friend/Fuji nut, but it was a worthwhile experiment.

Schreck83 

Yes! Full chrome is a nice fallback option with this frame.

bikemig 

I have a 70s blue Fuji Finest. I didn't try to build it up with 70s era parts; the only parts that are original on the bike are the fittings, headset, and seatpost. The frame had been spread to 126 OLD so I built the bike with 3 x 7 gearing using a 86 BCD Apex crank. I built it up as a long distance machine. It is a remarkably comfy machine for that purpose and handles very well.

This is the build thread on my Fuji Finest:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ld-thread.html

These are pics from some recent rides:

dmark 

I have a white 72 Finest (love it) and wish it was blue.

Schreck83 

The paint looks really good. What was your process for cleaning, polishing, waxing, etc.?

Schreck83 

I have been busy cleaning the hardened grease and dirt from components while waiting for parts to arrive. Here is the original spec for the Finest ( likely stolen from Sactown_Albert )



My box'o'parts isn't an exact match for the specs, but it's pretty close:



Suntour started using date codes in 1972. The RD lacks a date code but matches the spec sheet.

16,16,18,21,24 freewheel dated January 1972. Still soaking in penetrating oil...

The crankset is also dated January 1972

52/44 with solid spider

SunTour SL front derailleur rather than the specified Compe V

Date code is June 1974, so likely an early upgrade

Top normal, like the Compe V

bikemig 

Buy a clean bike . . .

Nothing special, I just strip the bike down to the frame to deal with any problems and this one was easy as it's chromed underneath the paint, clean it, wax it, parts in rustoleum if needed, and build it up. The bike has a new bar and stem and saddle. I replace the bar and stem on almost all my bikes.

Schreck83 

The cleaning continues...(some of these are before cleaning)


610 front and back. Simply DiaCompe on the label

QR on the hangers, not the levers

MKS "Unique" pedals. Look kind of familiar...

No braze-ons. Not even a pib for the shifters

Hupel Rider