FINDING THE FUJI THE ACE

The Fugi's model is The Ace and it is clearly documented, on the top tube of the bicycle.  Best guess, as to the vintage of this nice  old road bicycle, would be early seventies, 1972 or 1973, probably.

Finding the The Ace, once again, not a typographical error, has a bit of significance for me.  The Fuji and I, got together, less than one hour after enjoying a retirement lunch, put on for me by some of my fellow workers, on my last day of work.  A nice lunch, coupled with the first beer I had ever drank on company time, completed a thirty four year career of working as a professional Industrial Mechanic, better know in the industry as "Millwright".

After the retirement luncheon, and feeling a bit weird, knowing that my working career had come to an end, I decided to stop by, each of the local bike shops, on my way home.  To be honest, it felt a bit strange to be off work, so early in the day, and I wasn't quite sure of what to do with myself.  My guess is that this happens to lots of people who find themselves retired, the first few hours being the most unusual to deal with.  What to do?  Anyway...

I make a point out of visiting each local bike shop, on a regular and frequent, basis.  I enjoy both the LBS atmosphere, and the conversation offered.  Additionally, the bike shop people keep me in mind, when someone wants to trade-in an old "Ten Speed".  And, that was how the Fuji came to be waiting for me, to show up.

The shop owner had taken the Fuji in on trade, knowing that he would at least get his money back from me.  Many bicycles have come my way through this vehicle, my Apollo Gran Touriste and Velo Sport Criterium being a couple of perfect examples.  I do suggest that you make a point out of getting to know your local bike shops and the great people who work there.

Farzam's shop was the first stop on my "career's finished" trip home.  I don't think that Farzam actually owns the shop, but he is an incredibly knowledgeable guy, when it comes to vintage road bicycles.  He was actually on the show room floor, selling these beautiful old bikes, when they were the latest thing out.

Offering my joke of the day, Farzam and I exchanged the banter, typical of such visits, before he invited me to have a look, at something, he had in the back room.  Off we went, into the gloom of the back room.  The first thing to capture my attention was the Fuji but I was not immediately impressed.  The bicycle was drab, to say the least, and way too big for me.  However, as I looked closer my interest grew.  Full Dura Ace components.  Sew-up tires (yuck - but my opinion on these guys has changed).  And the price was right.

The asking price was less than a hundred dollars, but that did not stop me from haggling.  Farzam is the world's Guru at haggling and anything, I can trim off of a price, is a feather in my cap, as far as I was concerned.  And, I did manage to get the Fuji for a bit less than Farzam was asking.  I cannot help but wonder what he had given the previous owner for trade-in value.

I loaded the Fuji into the Ranger and headed for the next LBS (Local Bike Shop), happy with the beginning of what I was hoping to be a fruitful and rewarding retirement.  I had no idea...

NEXT - BUILDING THE FUJI THE ACE

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