Antieverything

Picked this up for $20 today, the serial number is F3Axxxx. According to the Fuji database this would make it built in Jan 1968/69 right? I cant find a reference to anything from 1969. Anyone have any ideas? Looks like there's red paint under that lime green, has a cottered crankset, coaster rear brake, 26" wheels, not sure of the metal but I would assume Hi-Tensil. I don't need to know a value as I am not planning on flipping it. This one will be either brought rideable standards or converted to 700c/SS (the wheels will barely fit the chainstay bridge with 700x23) and kept as a back up/conversation piece.

Model? year? any other tidbits?

Thanks.

eschlwc

from 1971 Catalog

"FUJI Bicycles were first introduced under the Fuji Brand in 1971 at the New York City Bicycle Dealers Show. Fuji America, the newly formed U.S. Distributor, choose three models; the Newest, the Finest and the S10-S (Special Road Racer) as their introductory models from a Domestic Japanese Fuji catalog. In 1972 Fuji America published their first catalog for the U.S. market."

thomc

I like it. I have a Fuji 5 speed ladies model that I've had for several years. I really like it. It's a keeper. I was not aware of a serial number/ mfg date listing for Fujis . I would like to know the date on mine.

rhm

I'm no Fuji expert so don't assume I know what I'm talking about. That said, your head badge says Fuji Feather and that's the name of a line of Fuji single speed bikes that goes back to the 70s. Though the old catalogs don't seen to show anything like yours, I'd assume it dates back at least to the 70s. I don't know how reliable the date codes you found are. I would be perfectly happy to believe a 1969 date if it was bought outside the US.

Antieverything

read that but according to the story that came with it, the bike was brought back from Japan by military after deployment in the 60/70s. I can't find a Japanese catalog or bike list. 1971 is the earliest American catalog.

Antieverything

The early American catalogs only show a few road bikes, guess they didn't import the other types til later in the 70s. I will take the story I got as "good enough for me" then. 1969 it is, wish I could get a bike list from Japan or something to identify the model and original color. I am tempted to try to remove the green but I don't know what condition the paint under it is or the decals are intact.

Hummer

From the serial number the 3 probably represents the Showa Calendar year 43, which is the Julian calendar year 1968.

That style of bicycle was very common in the 1960s for youths. I had a bike like that (not Fuji Feather) in the 1960s as a kid, that was how we rolled. The whole "Ten Speed" thing was just starting.

The Fuji Feather headbadge may be a Japanese headbadge. Fuji of America had not started in 1968.

jacksbike

Never have seen this Fuji Feather head badge. Correct in that the first Fuji's sold in this country, to my knowledge, were all road bikes. They did not offer a touring 5 or 10 speed with flat handlebars until late 70's , early 80's. Anyhoo, interesting looking bike.

eschlwc

and this is what we all do when it's impossible to tell. and it doesn't matter, really. pick a year that makes some sense to us and go with it like it's inscribed on stone tablets from the bike gods.