Ok, back to bikes.
Our friend Hugh is hard at it once again. This time his entry is this Fuji Monterey he rescued from the scrap yard.
Hey Cameron,
While dropping-off some left-over building materials at a friends, who I know will put them to good use. I was telling him about how I have been restoring old bikes (mostly road racers). He says great! “I got one over there you can have, I just picked it up for scrap”. That is how I came to own this Fuji Monterey. And as luck would have it I had just picked-up a mixte that just happened to have a leather Fuji Saddle. I was pleased to see the bike had actually been “re-greased” at some point. The crank was so smooth I did not take it apart.
Thanks again Hugh
Thanks to Ben in Chicago for prolonging our Fuji love-fest. His very well maintained, one owner Fuji Gran Tourer SE is very similar to Bill’s ‘79 Fuji Gran Tourer from Tuesday. The SE does have brazed cable guides whereas Bill’s ‘79 has cable clamps (Is that a product of the trim level or the year?) Both of these Fujis sport SunTour components — the official component of the OTSG. I am a little disappointed Ben removed both the front and rear reflectors as well as the spoke mounted reflectors. Maybe he just lost or broke them and just hasn’t gotten around to replacing them. The early 90s Avocet gel saddle seems to trim out this lead-sled quite nicely.
Spring time in Chicago. This 1980 Fuji Gran Tourer SE was my second derailer bike. Except for the front wheel, seat, bottom bracket and some maintenance items it is original. The downtube shifters were part of the package, state of the art “Suntour power shifter”. Things were different then.
Rode it for commuting in Chicago 1980-1981 and then hung it up for family. Started riding it again in 1991 and boy is a 35 lb. steel frame a great way to get in shape fast. It will never become a fixie. Now if I could just find some 1980 Fuji decals.
Yes it is a 12 speed, but what’s one more cog between old bike riders.
Thanks Ben.
I’m not sure what to make of today’s selection sent in by Bill. His unridden 1979 Fuji Gran Tourer is amazing to see, but I have to wonder why he never rode it! Is he a shop owner and just happen to find this NOS Fuji lost in a stack of Madones? Foreseeing the future demise of Sun Tour, did he purchase two bikes of the same model and keep one for parts - only to find his Sun Tour components were so durable he never had to cut into his backup? Or did he buy it intending to ride it. Upon taking it home, he found it too small and just never got around to returning it to the store?
Either way, I’m sad he never rode it, but I’m glad it’s unridden.
Unridden 1979 Fuji Gran Tourer 12 Speed. Dia-Compe brakes, Sun-Tour shifters and derailers.
Thanks Bill
Today on the Monday Market I am featuring mens 10-speed from anywhere but Craigslist. I intended to show all the other good sources for old ten speeds available in the world, but as it turns out, it becomes pretty slim picking once you eliminate clist - especially in the U.S. Here you go, a fine selection of vintage mens 10-speed most of which are anything but crappy. Prices ranging from $50 USD to $350 CD. The 1971 Bottecchia even has Campy components and some pretty chrome lugs. Also note the JCPenny 10-speed with a rear disc brake!
Santa Barbara, CA
Sentinel $75 USD
Vancouver, BC
1971 Bottecchia $350 CD
Totowa, NJ
Schwinn Varsity $50 USD
Fredon, NJ
Fuji Touring $225 USD
Toledo, OH
JCPenny w/ Disc Brake $99 USD
Kelowna, BC
CCM Esprit $150 CD
Islington, London
De-Badged Vicroy $158 USD
Winnipeg, MB
Peugeot $140 CD
