Building A Bike Almost As Old As Me
11/06/19 08:09 Filed in: Bike Builds
I bought this Fuji frame off a Facebook posting. Originally, I did not want a frame older than 1996, about when STI (indexed) shifters were introduced. However, I was willing to consider an older frame if it looked “interesting.” This looked interesting. It looked to be in decent shape based on the pictures.
Anyway, after a 45-minute+ drive, I met the seller and the really nice guy that he was, he offered me any additional parts at no extra cost, even another frame. I took a few pieces that looked serviceable as well as that other frame (more on that at a later date) and insisted on giving him some more money. So, $30 later and I’ve got two frames and a few vintage bike parts.
This is a green Fuji S10-S (“Special Road Racer”). Apparently, this was a very popular model in the 70s (at least for Fuji). A lookup of the serial number indicates this is a 1973 model.
I had assumed that a restoration with period-specific components was the only option (a big reason why I wanted to avoid the truly vintage frames). Then I learned that there were indexed freewheels available. Then I came across a wheel that would fit in the drop-outs that would accept 7-speed freewheels.
As long as the fork, which wasn’t turning all that smoothly, was serviceable, I’ll be able to proceed.
Anyway, after a 45-minute+ drive, I met the seller and the really nice guy that he was, he offered me any additional parts at no extra cost, even another frame. I took a few pieces that looked serviceable as well as that other frame (more on that at a later date) and insisted on giving him some more money. So, $30 later and I’ve got two frames and a few vintage bike parts.
This is a green Fuji S10-S (“Special Road Racer”). Apparently, this was a very popular model in the 70s (at least for Fuji). A lookup of the serial number indicates this is a 1973 model.
I had assumed that a restoration with period-specific components was the only option (a big reason why I wanted to avoid the truly vintage frames). Then I learned that there were indexed freewheels available. Then I came across a wheel that would fit in the drop-outs that would accept 7-speed freewheels.
As long as the fork, which wasn’t turning all that smoothly, was serviceable, I’ll be able to proceed.