Kilroy1988 

Hello folks,

So I've got a 1986 Club Fuji in pretty great condition that I've been trying to sell for a while now without luck. I only don't really care for it because the frame seems a bit too "factory-ish" for my tastes and I prefer a more handmade look, as well as the feel of Reynolds 531 tubing. However, I found the third-generation Suntour Cyclone 6-speed drive train to be utterly reliable and I'm a big fan of that stuff...

Recently I acquired a 1979 Mercian Campionissimo frame set that I plan to build up with contemporary Suntour components, but I'd have to make a lot of purchases, including a nice 700c wheelset. Suddenly I am pondering the idea of swapping the Cyclone drive train and matching SR hub/Nitto rim wheel set from the Club Fuji onto the Mercian.

I am pretty sure that financially I would come out way on top by doing that, and also only be left with a frame set and a few bits and bobs to sell, and with far fewer purchases to make.

The only downsides to the idea is that the Cyclone 6000 components post-date the Mercian frame by a few years (came out in 1984) and aren't as handsome as the earlier equipment. Also I would feel really bad about ransacking the completely original Club Fuji, but even at $200 it hasn't moved in over a year on local Craigslist or on our own classified section!

Any yays or nays? The arguments against the idea just above seem compelling, but so does the idea of saving money, time, and hanging onto a few of my favorite components.

-Gregory

SurferRosa

I found my '84 Club Fuji to be a dead weight. Fortunately, I sold it. Had I not, I'd have no issue moving its original equipment to a frame more suitable to my needs.

Kilroy1988 

Yeah, there's some mystery about the quad-butted VALite tubing that I still haven't quite unraveled. I've used it to climb some pretty mean hills, do a couple of centuries, and everything in between. It worked well for the most part, but it never felt very joyful in the process. It got the work done and that was that - I suppose that's the essence of practical Japanese engineering to this day, though!

Essthreetee

I say do it. But then again, I don’t keep anything stock. Even the 1973 Raleigh Supercourse that I got completely original...including tires. I change things to the way I want them to be, not the way the factory wanted them.

Have fun fun with whatever you decide to do.

squirtdad

do it, but check bottom bracket compatibility first Clearly the fuji does not make you smile......life is too short to not smile

and what is the worst case....put em back on the fuji or save for another build

clubman 

SAVE MONEY! Too many financial sinkholes around. Put savings into RESP's ( if you have them)

Bad Lag

A lot (all?) mass-produced bikes are like that - just dead!

cs1

You’re right do what makes you happy.

52telecaster

Never cared for valite either. Do what u want!

Kilroy1988 

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

I think I'll go ahead and make the swap happen if I don't end up having enough of a pile of components from the parts bin to make it seem reasonable. Still need to get the Mercian frame powdercoated and decaled before I mess with it.

@squirtdad I have several English-style bottom bracket setups laying around and imagine one will fit the Mercian even if the parts from the Club Fuji don't.

Cheers!

-Gregory

bwilli88 

Do it and have fun.
I have one bike close to original, a 1980 Raleigh RRA built for the English market. Getting ready to send it off to gugie for a complete Gugification.

Essthreetee

Gregory...I am somewhat close to you also...if you need something, let me know...I might have it...or I might know where to find it locally.

Reynolds 531 

Just swap the parts, and ride the Mercian.

Anytime that you start to add an "ROI" and the word "Dollars" into pedaling a bicycle, it just sort of ruins everything.

Kilroy1988 

Well, I don't just "pedal" bicycles - I collect and restore vintage ones, like many members here. So it is a bit more complicated than all that and such considerations don't necessarily ruin anything for me.

Cheers.

-Gregory

Reynolds 531 

I wasn't trying to be critical. I think if you have one bike, to keep and enjoy and not worry about value, then you will feel differently riding it around. Perhaps a Mercian with modern gears could be that bike?

wrk101

I bought a titanium Merlin, full nine speed DA, and used it as a donor bike. I later sold the Merlin frame, so I came out OK.


No problem here with your plan!

Kilroy1988 

Honestly spreading the rear drop outs to 130mm and putting some modern Campy equipment with a polished finish is a very serious possibility and would indeed probably make this my "regular rider," so to speak. Still thinking, thinking...

-Gregory