Hello. I just came across an older Fuji 10-speed. And I was curious about what sort of tubing Fuji used on their entry level bikes.
I figure this bike dates from the late 70s, although the owner feels like it's from the early 80s. It has cottered cranks, Nitton stem & bars, Araya steel rims, suntour friction gizmos. Dia-Compe centerpulls. Pretty standard stuff.
The FUJI logo down the seat tube is a sort of bold block font with a drop shadow... that does look a little 80s I must admit.
To my eye the tubing looks nice, but there is no decal identifying the maker. The frame does have nice forged drop outs that are stamped "i.s. rib end" <- no kidding, that's what is says.
Does "I.S." stand for Ishiwata? And if the dropouts are Ishiwata could that mean the rest of the frame is as well?
Thanks for any advice or thoughts about older Fuji tubing!
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have no help for you, but have an add-on question relating to Fuji tubing. I picked up a 1982 vintage FUJI with "FUJI" decals on the fork ends, "FUJI Team" on the down tube, and a "331" tubing decal.
What is 331 steel?
John D.
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
Where's T-Mar when you need him?
fwiw - I have a Fuji "The Finest" from 1973. I've been told the frame on it was made of the best tubing Fuji used at the time. All it says - in a wreath on the front of the seat tube is - "Double Butted Chrome Molybdenum Steel Tubing". Obviously, 1982 isn't 1973, but I do know that if frame tubing is butted, double-butted, triple-butted, or fully-butted, it would probably have said so on the frame somewhere when it was made - as this would have been a feature that would increase the marketability of the bike. Therefore I suspect that you have good tubing (possibly equivalent of non-butted 531), but not quite the top of the line stuff.
What makes this interesting, is the fact that some manufacturers (like Raleigh for example) used the term "Team" to denote their very best models - which would presumably also have their best frames. So... I guess I'm back to begging for T-Mar (or someone else who truly knows) to enlighten us all.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by bike-ninja
Hello. I just came across an older Fuji 10-speed. And I was curious about what sort of tubing Fuji used on their entry level bikes.
I figure this bike dates from the late 70s, although the owner feels like it's from the early 80s. It has cottered cranks, Nitton stem & bars, Araya steel rims, suntour friction gizmos. Dia-Compe centerpulls. Pretty standard stuff.
The FUJI logo down the seat tube is a sort of bold block font with a drop shadow... that does look a little 80s I must admit.
To my eye the tubing looks nice, but there is no decal identifying the maker. The frame does have nice forged drop outs that are stamped "i.s. rib end" <- no kidding, that's what is says.
Does "I.S." stand for Ishiwata? And if the dropouts are Ishiwata could that mean the rest of the frame is as well?
Thanks for any advice or thoughts about older Fuji tubing!
Cottered cranks and steel rims and bolt on axels if you have them usually associate with bottom of the barrel tubing rather than better stuff. I have seen bikes built with lugs and hi-ten or plumbers pipe that 'looked ok'.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by USAZorro
Where's T-Mar when you need him?
Obviously, 1982 isn't 1973, but I do know that if frame tubing is butted, double-butted, triple-butted, or fully-butted, it would probably have said so on the frame somewhere when it was made - as this would have been a feature that would increase the marketability of the bike. Therefore I suspect that you have good tubing (possibly equivalent of non-butted 531), but not quite the top of the line stuff.
What makes this interesting, is the fact that some manufacturers (like Raleigh for example) used the term "Team" to denote their very best models - which would presumably also have their best frames. So... I guess I'm back to begging for T-Mar (or someone else who truly knows) to enlighten us all.
I'll take some pics and post them later tonight. My bike has the wreath you mention, and I'm pretty sure it says some version of "Double Butted Chrome Molybdenum Steel Tubing", but it also has the "331 tubing" tossed in. The bike is a mud browm in color, has Suntour friction shifters, and is a 12 speed. I guestimated the 1982 date because that is the date code (I think) on the side pull brake calipers. FWIW, the rims are both MAVIC gold anodized (mostly worn away on the sides), with QR skewers. I just assumed they were aftermarket replacements, this being a thrift shop find and all @ $20.00.
Originally Posted by bike-ninja
Hello. I just came across an older Fuji 10-speed. And I was curious about what sort of tubing Fuji used on their entry level bikes.