ANOTHER FUJI...second one in 2 days...

[HARPO]

While looking at the Facebook Marketplace this morning I came across this Del Ray (1985 I believe). It looked pretty ragged from the one photo, but he was only asking $25 for it. But it was my 25'' size frame. Since it was less than 30 miles from my house, I figured what the heck. Pedals and kickstand are worth that.

Turns out he's the original owner, and its been hanging in his garage for the last 20 years. The hoods are actually GOOEY from melting over the years (see photo), but the bike was all original. When he took it down from where he had it hanging, he told me "I'm not taking any money for it, I just didn't want to put it to the curb". He's my height, 6', so he knew it was going to be for me. He laughed and and said "if you sell it, then you can pay me". Very nice guy, and was happy to see it would be going to a good home.

And so yet ANOTHER project begins to unfold! I thought the Fuji S-10S was cheap at $35...but how often do you get a free one!

 

[HARPO]

A few more...

 

[HARPO]

And if I'm correct...this is the bike...1985...

 

[bulldog1935]

a step up from the Monterrey (high-ten). should clean up really well.

 

[HARPO]

If any of you remember seeing the old movie "The Blob", well, this is what it's like removing the brake hoods...or what's left of them. I've NEVER seen anything like this. Parts are coming off in sections, while others are really adhered to the surface. Hey, the bike was free. It's worth the effort!!!

And I remember buying FUJI decals on ebay years ago. Now to see if there's the correct one for the seat tube!

 

[detroitbike]

What do you think the VALite 1769 meant?

 

[HARPO]

What do you think the VALite 1769 meant?

I haven't a clue...

 

[HARPO]

LOVE this seat post. I haven't had one in quite a while, and this is how it came out of the frame. Hasn't seen daylight since 1985.

 

[bulldog1935]

I haven't a clue...

frame tubing, probably made by Ishiwata, which is a good thing
since this is a sport-touring bike, the quad butted tubing used is not going to be the thinnest grade, or the highest strength
VALite is V-Al-Mn steel, essentially very similar to Reynolds 531.

My daughter's 19-lb '86 team Fuji uses Cr-Mo 9658, which is going to be about 15% thinner/lighter tubing for the comparable strength
http://www.classicfuji.com/1986_30_FrameInformation1_Page.htm
http://www.classicfuji.com/1986_31_FrameInformation2_Page.htm
http://www.classicfuji.com/1986_Thumbs.htm

cropped from a much larger photo (shown at camera resolution, and the subject was the other end of the bike)

no offense, I think she has got you on seat post - fluted with factory paint

this diagram explains quad butted tubes, which Ishiwata called Oval butted
http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/ishiwata/catalog2/pdf/Ishiwata Catalog 2 opt 5.pdf
these Ishiwata Hi-ten may be the very same tubes on your bike.

 

[detroitbike]

When Fuji came out with VALite tubing, the numerical designations referred to the tubing thickness from the front going back.
SO 1769 was 1 mm thick in the front and .7mm in the next section, .6 mm in the 3rd section and .9 mm in the last portion where it joined the seat tube.


I was selling the Del Rey in 1982 for $319.95 ....Expensive bike !