Topic: Bicycle guys?

[Don R]

 Recently I've been riding a trek mountain bike I got for free.
  This week for the princely sum of $45 I picked up an 84 Fuji del rey 12 speed. 27" wheels 1 1/8" wide, new looking dry rotted tires, the paint is near perfect except where someone bolted on a Schwinn generator. There's hardly any rust on anything. I'm learning the setup, I adjusted the seat and handlebars, I'm a little more comfortable on it but it needs tires before I ride any further than I want to walk. 
  I'm amazed how much faster I am on it, places where I formerly pedaled to keep going, this bike requires brakes.  The reports I read say the frame is excellent, the rest is slightly above average. I'm seeing the need for a helmet. lol.

[MoMo]

I had a Fuji many moons ago, an exceptional bike that was light, fast and smooth.  Stolen from my garage along with a Kabuki I had.  I used to deliver telegrams within a 10 mile radius using either bike.  I got 2.50 a telegram back in the early 70's, which was when I was discharged


 I have 7 bicycles in my shed with plans to start riding again and to sell the ones I won't use.  Get a helmet Don, not much different than riding a motorsickle(where is Arlo?).   ...Larry

[BomberMann650]

Fuji's are solid.
Big 27" street tires ride so comfortably.  There are some continental tires that would roll nice on that vintage

[Darren Jakal]

Love my bikes ! This one was a few dollars used and in today's terms it would be heavy and outdated, but it still flies.

Skinny tires at 110 psi means it glides amazing but the ride is a bit harsh. Look for smooth asphalt !

cheers, dj

[Bankerdanny]

Love my bikes ! This one was a few dollars used and in today's terms it would be heavy and outdated, but it still flies.

Skinny tires at 110 psi means it glides amazing but the ride is a bit harsh. Look for smooth asphalt !

cheers, dj

The thing is that you don't need to pump up to 110, max inflation on the sidewall doesn't mean that it the right pressure. Run 90 or so and be just as fast with a smoother ride.

[Darren Jakal]

Love my bikes ! This one was a few dollars used and in today's terms it would be heavy and outdated, but it still flies.

Skinny tires at 110 psi means it glides amazing but the ride is a bit harsh. Look for smooth asphalt !

cheers, dj

The thing is that you don't need to pump up to 110, max inflation on the sidewall doesn't mean that it the right pressure. Run 90 or so and be just as fast with a smoother ride.

These tires actually have a minimum of 100 psi stated on the sidewalls.

cheers, dj

[Terry in Australia]

I love riding my bicycle, it goes really fast, but sadly, no matter how fast I ride it, I just can't lose any weight? Maybe I need some of those tight lycra shorts like the other bicycle riding guys wear?

Redneck Racebike cleaning by terry prendergast, on Flickr

[Duke McDukiedook]

Love my bikes ! This one was a few dollars used and in today's terms it would be heavy and outdated, but it still flies.

Skinny tires at 110 psi means it glides amazing but the ride is a bit harsh. Look for smooth asphalt !

cheers, dj

The thing is that you don't need to pump up to 110, max inflation on the sidewall doesn't mean that it the right pressure. Run 90 or so and be just as fast with a smoother ride.

If I don't run at least 120 on the front and 130 in the rear on my 2300 I get snakebites. You have to run it that high.

[Bankerdanny]

I guess it depends on how wide a tire you run. I always run 25's as I am a bigger guy and want a bit more cushion to protect my rims. I am also a fan of the Continental Gatorskins, which seem to resist punctures very well and hold up for good mileage.

[Don R]

 I was thinking Continentals, thanks for making that choice easier. It has an 1 1/8" rim, I read I can go 1 1/4" on the tire to gain some cushion.

[Don R]

 I went with 27x1 1/4" tires. they are so tall I had to remove the reflector on the back to get clearance at the brake bracket. lol. They're kenda's because they were available locally and I wanted to spend some money there. My buddy thought I looked silly wearing bike tires over my shoulder while riding my sandcast 750.  I adjusted the rear brake pads, something still feels draggy, the front might need work too.
 I need a bicycle spoke wrench too it's got a rear wheel bobble, I was able to muscle it enough to stop the rear brake drag but it needs fine tuning.

 My riding position is a lot better or I'm getting more used to it. I still could use a little more leg extension but feel like the seat's pretty high now.
 
 It had a kinked link in the chain and was able to get it freed up until I replace it. I'm betting the axle bearings will need grease and adjusting too. A lesson learned 5 miles from home where I wasn't supposed to be at age 10.

[evanphi]

This is my bike. I love it. It is a new style called a Gravel bike. Mountain bike-ish geometry, with road-like looks. Great for long hauls on and off road.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Road or MTB gearing?

[evanphi]

Road or MTB gearing?

50/34 rings and 11-32 10 spd cassette. Nice low small ring up front for dirt and a tall for hitting hard on paved sprints.

Kinda hybrid-ish.

[Don R]

 To be honest, I am leaning toward putting road tires on my Trek mountain bike. I'll ride a lot more before deciding, the trek is 21 speeds and covers anything my old legs want.
 The main problem I have with the trek is holding the left shifter ring in position. It's spring loaded and my hand cramps up on a long ride. I've already had trigger finger surgery on both hands so I don't need any more repetitive gripping. (insert witty comment here!)  The right has detents and hold it's self in place. Maybe I can just swap to a different left control.
  Shifting the Fuji on the down tubes is a hoot too! 

[Bankerdanny]

I did that on my last mountain bike. You get a much smoother ride.

[BomberMann650]

The main problem I have with the trek is holding the left shifter ring in position.
The right has detents and hold it's self in place. Maybe I can just swap to a different left control.
  Shifting the Fuji on the down tubes is a hoot too!

I was gonna mention it but you beat me to it.  An indexing shifter for the front derailleur would be a nice upgrade from worn out friction rotaries.

Downtube shifters are fun.  The sad thing is there was only one replacement available for those last I checked.  They were Dura-Ace top shelf shimano parts.  So if those ever get old and lose their grip, not much that can be done short of making your own replacement bushings.

[Don R]

 Thanks for the info, I'll check into an indexing shifter.  I'm thinking Mr. fuji spent most of it's life hanging in a garage.

[DurangoCB]

I think those early 80s Del Reys used the Suntour Powershift shift levers.  Some of them used a plastic wingnut to adjust the tension but most used a metal D-ring nut.  It would be unusual for the washers to wear to the point of losing friction.  I would pull the shifter apart, compare the parts to a parts diagram to make sure everything is there and assembled in the correct order, and clean everything before reassembling. 

On the 84 I would guess that the rear shifter is indexed and the front shifter is friction.  The rear shifter may be switchable between index/friction by turning the d-ring nut (useful for people who don't have their derailleur adjust properly and so need to fudge it a little in between tuneups). 

[Don R]

 A little WD 40 and getting the kink out of the chain has done wonders for Mr. Fuji. I'm getting on to the shifters a little lube did wonders for the mechanicals. I'm taking a ride by the bike shop today, I seriously need to get some riding time motorized and pedaled.

[754]

 Fugi industries now know as Subaru...

[Bankerdanny]

Subaru is just a part of Fuji Heavy Industries like Chevrolet is part of General Motors.

[DurangoCB]

A little WD 40 and getting the kink out of the chain has done wonders for Mr. Fuji. I'm getting on to the shifters a little lube did wonders for the mechanicals. I'm taking a ride by the bike shop today, I seriously need to get some riding time motorized and pedaled.

They'll be amused/happy to see you with that bike.  It's a bit of a classic.  Old bikes are a dime a dozen but the higher end old bikes like that one, especially kept in good shape, are always fun for a bike shop to see.  As long as it's a shop worth their salt.