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A surviving Fuji Dandy!

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If only there wasn’t an entire ocean between us, I would have been on this like fly on… This is one of my grails, one that I will break my rule; it must be my size to own. This is a Nichibei Fuji Dandy. I first saw this in an early 1960’s Japan’s Bicycle Guide book and fell in love. Yes, this one is rusty and crusty, but I love the lines all over this. Dual top-tube, down-tube, and seat-tube! And, check out that chain guard for goodness sake… I guess this would be considered a vintage Fuji balloon tire, light-weight, cruiser bicycle. It is just Dandy. Enjoy the photos.

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Vintage Fuji Dandy Bicycle Vintage Fuji Dandy Bicycle Vintage Fuji Dandy Bicycle Vintage Fuji Dandy Bicycle image Vintage Fuji Dandy Bicycle Vintage Fuji Dandy Bicycle

 

Raleigh Burner Mk1 Pro Burner (05/28/2011)

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Worthpoint.com reports a Raleigh Burner Mk1 Pro Burner (05/28/2011). sold for $32,928. I’m here to tell everyone that is a fluke on an enormous scale, and more than likely a false bid by the original lister that went unpaid. A mint Raliegh Burner Pro would be lucky to get $500 in today’s vintage BMX market.

As a user of Worthpoint.com it goes to show you should do additional research when it seems to good to be true.

The original article was Smart Pickers Find Gold in Vintage Bikes, by Wayne Jordan (11/08/13).

I’m really quite shocked this was stated. But it’s on the internet, so it must be real, right?

 

Great $8.00 classic looking bicycle chain

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Ventura Chain on bike

Ventura chain on a 1980 Fuji Feather Pro BMX

Ventura Bicycle Chain 1/2-Inch x 1/8-InchI had been looking for a bicycle chain with a classic look for my bikes that require 1/2″ x 1/8″ chains. For a black chain with a lighter colored inner link, I thought my only choice was the super shiny black/silver Izumi, which was way too shiny. Then I found the Ventura Bicycle Chain. These look great, and not only that, they actually function great too! The black outer links and, what I would call, dark grey inner links gives it the perfect look. It’s a more dull finish as opposed to the shiny Izumi’s you see out there. The shiny just doesn’t look good on a classic bicycle to me. Lastly, I was shocked at the $8.00 price tag on Amazon.com

Vintage Fuji HAO

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fuji-hao-vintage-bicyclefuji-hao-vintage-2Fuji HAO

 

 

 

This vintage Fuji HAO recently popped up over on an auction website in Japan. Check out some of the extra details that make these vintage bicycles so interesting to look at.

First, look at the decorated rivets for the fender support bars. While you’re at it look at those awesome brakes and quite interesting quad-divided pedals.

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This one even comes with perhaps an original top-tube cover. How cool is that?! You might also be wondering what is that device with the “FUJI” mountain engraving and bar protruding from the side (bottom left picture). This is a vintage Nichibei Fuji lock. See the next photo for better detail of one.

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 Vintage Fuji Locks

Here’s some greater detail of the vintage Nichibei Fuji locks. On the bottom right hand picture, the silver piece sticking out is actually the key. You release the lock by inserting and pushing this key in; it doesn’t turn. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a picture of the key before sending these off. The bar sticking out is what prevents theft by not allow the spoke to pass by it.

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Now for some additional photos the HAO. I always enjoy the top-mounted fender emblems on these vintage bicycles. And the cut-out “FUJI” on the reflector mount is a nice touch.

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You can occasionally find these bells for sale new-old-stock online, but they can be pricey!

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Lastly, it seems the chain guards were plastic! This I do find surprising and makes me wonder what year this bicycle actually his. I should note that even some of the currently produced Japanese bicycles retain a very vintage and classic look. However, I’m quite certain this one dates back at least half a century.

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Vintage Fuji Track TF Sprint bicycle sells BIN on eBay

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Picture of Vintage Fuji Track BicycleSome lucky cyclist scored themselves a super cool, super rare, and quite nice 1975 vintage Fuji Track TF Sprint bicycle on eBay. And no, this blog isn’t just about vintage Fuji TF Sprints, I swear.

vintage-fuji-track-sprint-75-82bLiterally the same day I wrote the post about my TF Sprint, this beauty shows up on eBay! As I mentioned previously, there had only  been one found; so now we can make that two. One of my friends; the same in fact who scored my TF Sprint in New York, inquired about the serial number of this one. It was stated to be 75C50082, mine is ……87, just five digits apart.

vintage-fuji-track-sprint-75-82cYou will notice in the eBay auction the seller mentions only 10 made per month. This isn’t the first time I have heard such claims, however, I am unable to provide any hard evidence to support it.

The custom (reportedly added many years prior) paint around the lugs really helps to show the real beauty of these mid 70’s frames. For example, compare the photos here as opposed to a later, yet still vintage Fuji Track, where this type of labor intensive detail begins to disappear. These lugs are simply beautiful to my eyes!

I sure hope we see a few more of these pop up!

1975 Fuji Track Racer Model TF Sprint

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Fuji Track Racer Model TF Sprint Vintage cut-sheet photo

Track Racer Model TF Sprint, vintage cut-sheet photo

I recently had the opportunity to acquire a 1975 Fuji Track Racer Model TF Sprint. It was one of my most anticipated acquisitions! How it was acquired is a fairly unique story in its self.

I’m lucky to be part of a private group of collectors who collaborate to acquire, share knowledge, trade etc, all relating specifically to vintage Fuji bicycles. Some time ago one of our members in New York happened across this Fuji bicycle being ridden by its now former owner. He stopped the rider to inquire about the bicycle and to let the owner know just what he was riding.

Spotted on the streets of NYC

Spotted on the streets of NYC

Fast-forward 1 year, the owner said he was moving back to Sweden?, and wanted to sell the bike. He had somehow tracked down my friend. Needless to say, the group was not going to let this one go. And given its tall stature (it’s a 25″) I was given first dibs. Of course, I didn’t say no; as a bicycle collector you simply do not say no to a find like this. Our vintage Fuji group has been around a while and none of us have had the opportunity to acquire a 70’s vintage Fuji TF Sprint Track Racer… To the right is a a photo of the bicycle upon its discovery more than a year ago.

Since its birth it has been stripped of its paint, most parts, and grown a few scars in addition to a lot of peppering on the chrome. But, none-the-less this is a great and rare find. This is worthy of a restoration and to only preserve at this point won’t stop the deterioration of its steel.