Tuesday, March 12, 2013

1979 Fuji Royale (September 2012)

Make: Fuji
Model: Royale 
Year:  1979 
Obtained: September 2012 
Found: Bike Works 
Paid: $25.00


While visiting my favorite place for project bikes, Bike Works, on a Wednesday  I spotted a Fuji frame-set that gave me pause.  I thought to myself  "stop buying frame-sets! its easier to do complete bikes" and so I passed it by.  I really liked the look of it, however, especially the world championship-like banding on the down tube and I had been hankering to work on a Fuji for a while so on Thursday I was back to buy it.

The excellent site -Classic Fuji- helped me identify my prize as a 1979 model Fuji Royale

My frame-set came with a front derailleur, stem, seat post, brakes, bottom bracket, and a crappy headset.  I bought a new Tange headset and got most of the other parts out of the parts bin.  Unfortunately I did not get a frame-set only picture.  Have I mentioned that I really like head badges?  The Fuji's head badge is a classic.


I ran into issues with the rear derailleur and the crank-set I had out the parts bin so I put a new Shimano TZ-50 RD on the frame (cheap but effective) and lucked into a Fuji panto-graphed crank-set at Recycled Cycles to fix the crank issue.  I even found a (modern) Fuji branded saddle for this build.  The crank cleaned up nicely with the application of some Mother's Aluminum polish, a  great tip from my friend Hugh -Mothers really does the trick.

When I brought this bike home I had a vision of doing some orange accents to tie into the orange band from the world championship looking rainbow stripes and the orange lug lining on the frame.  I think the orange bar tape and toe straps add some color to an otherwise understated silver frame.


All in all I am happy with how it turned out and it was snapped up off Craigslist fairly quickly, so I guess the orange accents worked.


On a side note a new job, hurray for income!,  has kept me away from regular posting on the blog but I am hoping to finish up both the Raleigh curbside find project and the Fiorelli project soon. 


As always. Ride.Smile.Repeat.

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11 comments:

  1. Jim BangsMarch 12, 2013 at 12:11 PM

    Wow! I really like the orange piping that goes around the lugs. How classy is That! I can see why this was snapped up. Cool ride for somebody!

    By the way....welcome back (I guess) to the worka-day world. Maybe we can all return in our next life and improve to a superior lifeform that is Hugh. Work on bikes and then ride said bikes until you tire of them and sell them!
    As always, nice work Ryan
    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  2. RoadieRyanMarch 12, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Hey Jim,

    Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the compliment. I too am a sucker for good lug lining and on the Fuji the orange really looks sharp against the silver paint job. Perhaps someday I can retire from the 9 to 5 world and get by restoring old bikes, guess I better work on finding me a "sugar momma" to make that happen....LOL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tim Joe ComstockMarch 13, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Or you could become a broke down old bum like me. There's plenty of trailer parks out there.

    That Fuji must have been hard to part with. Let me guess: not your size?

    Congratulations on your new gig. Really. No, I mean it.

    tee hee

    tj

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RoadieRyanMarch 13, 2013 at 7:10 PM

      Actually it did fit me but my apartment has bikes everywhere I look so I had to let it go.

      Thanks for the congrats on the job...uh I think ;-)

      Delete
    2. RoadieRyanMarch 14, 2013 at 9:26 AM

      If I can be a "Broke down old bum" who gets to ride my bike alot, lives someplace with 300 days of sun and no days under 40 degrees, has a valuable skillset like say Master Carpenter and if I can write excellent stories like my Friend the TPC then I might just sign up for the BDOB club ;-) Can I live in a AirStream?

      Delete
    3. Tim Joe ComstockMarch 14, 2013 at 11:01 AM

      You make it sound like fun. It is. Maybe I could start a school. Old Bum U.

      Sure, you can live in an Airstream. Fifth wheels with slideouts have more room for bikes, though.

      Delete
  4. AmillerApril 10, 2016 at 3:06 PM

    I am rebuilding a vintage Raleigh Grand Prix with 27 X 1-1/4 Rims. Do you think the Club Roost Cross Terra Tire: 27" x 1-3/8" Steel Bead Black will work with the rims? I don't think clearance would be a problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RoadieRyanApril 10, 2016 at 5:52 PM

      Amiller, I have put 27 x 1 3/8 tires on 27x 1 1/4 rims before so yes I think it will work if you don't have fender or frame clearance issues.

      Delete
  5. UnknownMay 27, 2016 at 3:04 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownSeptember 23, 2021 at 8:37 AM

    My name is end, I have a 79 royals original great condition. Do you know anyone that would be interested?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Family BlogJuly 18, 2023 at 3:30 PM

    I have a similar bike which I am restoring. Did you have to touch up the orange lug lining and if so, how? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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