what would you with to this frame/fork?

1986 fuji team america, columbus tubing, 54 cm, hand made hand painted, etc.

how would you build it up?
what components? why?

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Permalink Reply by Steve 3po on August 26, 2009 at 5:23pm

Where is "FUCK YEAH!!!!!"?

o0_dan_0o said:

hows it look so far?

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Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on August 27, 2009 at 5:19am

Looks nice with the yellow Turbo saddle! (which might also look nice on my Panasonic DX3000 in black and yellow)

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on August 27, 2009 at 6:45am

Looks great so far. What sort of components do you have lined up? Going vintage or modern? I'd go Suntour all the way.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on August 27, 2009 at 7:23am

wow- ironic : I have an old Trek (1400) that was a 7-speed that I upgraded with Dura-Ace downtube shifters and used it as a Triathlon bike for about 5 years or so. Not many miles on them. I am
basically stripping stuff off that bike as I need them. I won't need these shifters (ever)

Let me know if you want them cheap....sounds like an awesome project btw.

DB

J said:

This was Panasonic's top of the line road frame in 1986. Its sister frames were the Campagnolo-equipped Team Europe and Suntour Superbe Pro-equipped Team Japan. All shared the same Columbus SP/SL tubeset and SP fork with Lostwax lugs. The ride compares favorably with other Italian-inspired Japanese frames from the era by Miyata and Bridgestone. It would have come with Araya rims and very light Panasonic/Panaracer tubulars.

If you did want to restore it, you'd go with 6 speed Dura Ace SIS (down tube shifters of course). The Superbe Pro version had a 7 speed cluster. Everything else is easy enough to find: Nitto Pearl stem, Cinelli-bend Nitto drops, Dura Ace seatpost, Selle Italia Turbo saddle. And remember to use gum hoods on the brake levers! 126mm spaced rear wheels are plentiful and cheap.

This frame does not have braze ons for fenders or racks and in fact, the chainstays are very short -- so clearance for either will prove difficult. While not as aggressive or stiff as modern road racing bikes, this frame will corner and descend well for lighter riders. But I would make sure that it's aligned properly before you spend time and money on it.

Or you could just cobble it together with used and modern parts. But isn't that a little too easy? I've nothing against conversions, but this frame is almost too nice to live out its remaining years with such ignominy.

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Permalink Reply by o0_dan_0o on August 27, 2009 at 11:17am

ive got all 6 speed dura ace 7400 components. Although some of the parts i got off ebay (namely:seatpost, pedals and cranks) arent as cosmetically perfect as i hoped they would be, they will function nicely for now.

the fedex guy left a package with some rims and spokes at my door today, so all i have yet to get for it is some tires, shifter cables, bar tape, pedal straps, and some medium dura ace toeclips.

im also considering a matching skinsuit & TT helmet so i can go out and win some charity rides on this thing.

Kelvin Mulcky said: