1951 Japan’s Bicycle Guide – Preview

1951-japans-bicycle-guide-intro1951-japans-bicycle-guide-coverI am a collector of Japan’s Bicycle Guides and was able to pick up a very first 1951 edition of the catalog. Below I have provided a few quick snaps from my iPhone. I plan to scan the entire book as delicately as possible. The book is in good condition conisdering its age and purpose. However, the binding is becoming brittle and weak so I would like to minimize viewing the actual book as much as possible.

1951-bridgestone-bicycle-ad1951-japanese-track-racer-bicycleFuji-AdFor those into classic ad copy and design this is a gold mine. Fantastic vintage design work throughout. I look forward to digging in a looking at every bicycle, part and ad. This is a major score of information for a collector like myself.

Fuji Design Series Mark Gorski Track – The rescue

Mark Gorski on his Fuji Design Series track bicycle

Mark Gorski on his Fuji Design Series

It seems I have a thing for abused and neglected vintage Fuji track bicycles. Two of the worst condition bicycles I have ever acquired are now both Fuji track bikes. The first was the 1975 Track Racer TF Sprint and now I have just welcomed a 1985 Fuji, Design Series, “Mark Gorksi“, track bike. That being said, this was the first, tall, Fuji Design Series track bike I had seen for-sale; I now restrict incoming bicycles in my collection to my size.

1985 Fuji Design Series "Mark Gorski" Track bicycle

1985 Fuji Design Series “Mark Gorski” Track bicycle

I’d like to thank Darryl Glascock over at Eastside Cycles in Nashville for his excellent and friendly customer service. Eastside took possession and packed up the 85 Gorski for me. I’m not sure what I will do with the bicycle yet. Every square inch has a scratch… I will clean it up, regrease, ride and then decide what I will do. In my head I imagine a repaint to its original color with some nice pinstriping around the lugs etc. I’m usually not one to refinished bicycles in my collection; I’m more of a “preservationist”, however, there is a certain point at which I believe they deserve a refresh. This one could very well fall into that category.

I am very excited about this acquisition regardless of condition. These bicycles are not easy to find and I now own both Fuji Design Series road and track models in 63cm and 61cm respectively. I feel lucky.

 

1975 Fuji Track Racer Model TF Sprint

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.