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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle After |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
This is the a Fuji Finest restoration for Joel. The early Fuji Finest is one of my favorites. The Fuji came as a frame and components with out wheels. For people in my area you might remember Chris Cycle on the north side of Liberty, Chris Cycle is where the Fuji was found. I miss Chris Cycles, it was a great store and a really nice guy.
The Fuji Finest is in great starting condition, it mainly has storage wear which can sometimes be worse than heavy use. Storage dust can etch the alloy and roughen up the paint. The paint doesn't have many chips which is great and the decals are in fantastic shape.
The Fuji needs wheels, What we did was take Campagnolo hubs that are laced to old sew up tire rims and I will lace the hubs to new Velo-Orange rims, should be a great set of wheels for the Fuji.
The Fuji will receive a complete restoration along with the wheel build, new tires and tubes, new handlebar tape, new cables and housings and new handlebar tape.
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake Caliper |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shift Levers |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before
Sugino Crank |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Before |
The Fuji broken down to the frame shows the paint solid with some staining and marks around component mounting areas. The decals are great and the head badge is one of my favorites ever.
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Before |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Before |
The frame took a good deal of cleaning and polishing. I worked through the polishing grits and I am thrilled with the results. White paint I find one of the more difficult colors to polish but between the before and after photos you can really see just how bright the frame is now. Again, very happy.
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Frame Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Polished
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Polished |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fork Polished |
The Fuji has a very nice headset and a great bottom bracket. Headsets with loose bearings are not my favorite to repack but it spins great now. I soaked the components in the crock pot and then worked through the polishing wheels. Complete the headset and bottom bracket look great!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Before
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Headset Bearings |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Bearings Packed |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Headset Cups Pressed |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Headset Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Headset Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Bottom Bracket Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Complete |
The handlebars and stem are very cool, both are Nitto. It took some soaking to get the last of the foam grips of and then polishing. The stem I love and it polished beautifully, the handlebars polished nicely and I love the Nitto stamping on them. AT this time I also cleaned and polished the brake levers. Looking great at this point!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Handlebars Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Brake Levers Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Brake Lever Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Handlebars Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Stem Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Stem Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Stem Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Brake Levers
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Brake Levers
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Handlebars
Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Stem Polished
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Stem Polished
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Brake Levers
Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Handlebars & Brake Levers Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete |
The crank is a beautiful Sugino. The Crank had a factory finish I wanted to save so I couldn't use the polishing wheels on it. A deep cleaning and then some time very lightly hand polishing the components and the crank is like new!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Crank Before
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Crank Before
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Crank Polished
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Crank Complete
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Crank Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Crank Complete
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The Fuji has a great Sun Tour Rear derailleur, I love these derailleurs, they are practically bulletproof. Some time cleaning and polishing and the derailleurs turned out beautiful. With all the pivot points oiled the derailleurs work just as well as they look.
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Derailleur Before
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Rear Derailleur Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Rear Derailleur Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Rear Derailleur Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Front Derailleur
Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Front Derailleur
Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Front Derailleur
Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Front Derailleur Complete |
Standard center pull Dia-Compe brake calipers. I broke the calipers down and started the cleaning and polishing. The calipers turned out beautiful and look great, new brake pads will having them functioning well. The calipers installed you can really see how bright and polished the frame is, a great look all together!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Brake Calipers
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Brake Calipers
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Brake Calipers
Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Brake Calipers
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Front Brake Caliper Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Rear Brake Caliper Complete |
Seat post is a Campagnolo inspired one with one of my favorite seat binder bolt and hanger. Polished everything looks good!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Cable Hanger
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Seat Post Before
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Seat Post Polished
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Seat Post Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration -Cable Hanger
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Cable Hanger
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Seat Post Complete |
The Suntour ratchet shift levers need a complete disassembly and rebuild, the little ratchet inside the rear lever was not working, it is now. Installed the levers look fantastic!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Shift Levers
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Shift Levers
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Shift Levers Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Shift Levers
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Shift Levers
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Shift Lever Complete |
The cable stops where slightly rough, a good cleaning and some time on the polishing wheels and the stops look great!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Cable Stops
Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Cable Stops Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Cable Stop Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Cable Stop Complete |
That complete the main components, the frame really looks great polished!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Main Components
Complete |
These are the Campagnolo donor hubs. I removed them from the old rims and got to work cleaning and polishing the hubs. The hubs polished just perfect. New bearings and the hubs will spin perfect! The wheels will be laced soon.
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Wheel - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Wheel - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Wheel - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Before |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Polished |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs Bearing
Packed |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Donor Hubs - Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Rear Hub Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Front Hub Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Hubs Complete |
At this point I laced Velo Orange 700c rims to the Campagnolo hubs with double butted stainless steel spokes. Very Pleased with the results of the wheels.
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Campagnolo Hub & Velo-Orange Rims
Complete |
Next was black Cinelli cork tape and replacement Die-Comp brake lever hoods. The black tape goes so well with the overall color scheme of the Fuji. Joel purchased Fuji handlebar Plugs which is a great touch!
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Cinelli Cork Tape & Hoods
Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Fuji Bar Plugs Installed |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Handlebar Tape Complete |
Next was to install the original leather Fuji saddle and wire the bike. Went back and fourth between Ice Gray and Silver braided cable housings. I think the Ice Gray was the correct choice for some contrast of all the white. Photos below of both colors for comparison.
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Fuji Saddle
Installed |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Ice Gray Cable Housings |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Ice Gray Cable Housings |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Both Cable Housing Colors |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Both Cable Housings |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration
Both Cable Housings |
That brings us to the test ride and final photos. The test ride is amazing, extremely smooth ride! The original Fuji gearing is a little low for my taste but I am also a masher. Just as amazing the ride is the looks are just as amazing. Fuji designed a bike that is more Italian than anything. The black and white scheme is perfect and passive aggressively mean looking. My favorite bikes are the Japanese bikes on the 1980's and the Fuji Finest is where it all started. I love it!
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Fuji Head Badge |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Brake Caliper |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Brake Caliper |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Velo-Orange Rim |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Nitto Stem |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Fuji Saddle |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| Joel's Fuji Finest Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
Thank you for following along!!
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