Sorry for being so new to this sub and if this is frowned upon or the wrong place for this question… but is this bike worth restoring/ is there parts worthy of using to make a restored bike?
I wont sugarcoat it im new to this entire world. I picked up this bike for free. Is any part of this worth keeping/building a bike around? Im just looking to cruise at a nice solid speed on flat roads in florida:). Thanks friendly ppl of bicycling
by BigWaveDave87
20 Comments
Maybe my favorite bike name ever “Tiara”
The frame is really really good and in a good condition. It is a vintage bike. It also is from a Brand. Fuji was a pretty solid brand in the road bike world and still is, although they are not that common anymore.
Decent vintage bike from 1980s. Definitely not trash. It looks like it’s just about ready to ride. Check tires and tubes. Lube chain. Check brakes and gears. Maybe get fresh, good quality brake pads.
It’s a big frame, for someone in the 6′ 2″ area. If it’s too big for you, better off selling it instead of riding the wrong size.
Whatever you do but don’t throw it away. Vintage bike fans might want this frame. Especially in that condition.
The rims are also looking not bad. Idk about the drivetrain. Maybe the chain and cassette are worn out but I can not tell by the pictures alone but the chain is definitely shot/dead. But maybe it just needs adjustment and can go again. Apart from the chain ofcourse.
The tires are kinda shot or not pumped up. Old rubber is mostly bad. But honestly. It is a good frame!
If it’s set up for you to ride it’s way too big. It’s a huge bike to start with. Made for someone well over 6’.
“Restoring” it might mean new chain, maybe new cables but they look like they might be ok, new tires and tubes, wrap the bars and that’s about all it needs (unless the BB and headset aren’t smooth.
Would be a nice easy project, and it’s a pretty bike. But if it’s too big for you I wouldn’t bother.
Sell it for a hundo and let the person who’s actually going to ride it fix it up. Put that towards a different bike.
super sick fuji makes great frames still to this day, pretty sure some more expensive brands contract out to them
I have done something similar. If you’re open to learn how to take apart, clean and maintain a bike, then it is a keeper for sure.
I bought mine for like $30, took it apart, cleaned it, and I did not regret any of it. It was like 2-3 days for me to do it, but yours look way better then mine did.
Here is a photo of mine just for reference 🙂
https://preview.redd.it/8bw6yc8fq9ff1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=79b6c91ceff5a98179c5dd8355d32b98ff7727f2
take care of it and ask your grandchildren to sell it in 2100
Perfectly useable GPJB – General Purpose Japanese Bicycle.
Clean it up. Lube. Ride it.
Clearly too big for the person who rode it last. For 6 ft. +.
It’s not worth “restoring” as a collectors item but absolutely worth doing the basic maintenance and riding or converting to flat bar. And it’s very cool. You can’t really buy a new steel road frame like this today without spending several 100$. Bikes like this ride really nice. If it’s your size I would absolutely recommend new 28c tires and flat/riser bars if you don’t like road.
For future reference, it has what you want to look for in a basic good quality 80s steel road bike: integrated derailleur hanger, aluminum wheels and parts, crank set is not 1 piece or cottered, brake levers do not have an extra “turkey lever”. These are indications of quality and if you look for bikes purely based on this your likely to find something more collectible level nice eventually.
Nice! Looks like a bit of fun.
Would make a nice single speed commuter for a tall rider.
Probably just throw some new tires on it and it’d be a good bike. My first road bike was a 1983 Schwinn and it was probably one size too big but I rode the shit out of that bike. It was good enough for me at the time and I even preferred it over the modern aluminum bike that I bought to replace it.
It’s a good SumTour groupset there.
Not trash. Any bike can be restored, and plenty of bike enthusiasts would love to turn this into a fun commuter bike. Restore it yourself, donate it to a collective, or sell it for like ~$200ish
It’s worth something to someone who is over 6’5” and wants a decent old steel bike.
It’s worth riding if it ridable.
That is a beautiful vintage bike. It is worth more than you can imagine. It can be worth anything depending on how bad vintage maniacs want it
Definitely not trash. People like me (lots of people) love riding old steel bikes, even if they aren’t high-end ones.
I’m not gonna tell you that this will increase in value, or even hold its current value. The truth is… you bought it ‘cause you liked it. It has value to you. That’s what matters.