Amidst the Jack Taylor, De Rosa, and Masi talk . . . a few Fuji / SunTour questions. . . .
I just got in from a ride in the unusual sunny, upper-60s weather we're having in Wisconsin. A short ride, the second on the Fuji which I spent a couple months this summer and early fall rebuilding; I think I've got most everything adjusted right now, thank goodness. (The front hub got a bit loose during the first ride, but I adjusted the cups and it was fine this time out.)
Anyway, I think it's an early 1980s Fuji Del Rey--I'm guessing it's an '84 since it has 27" Ukai wheels and originally had a 6-speed freewheel (which, I must admit, I switched to a 7-speed freewheel). Which leads to my first question: does anyone know Fuji's serial number method or if there's a Fuji serial number database?
My second question has to do with the derailleurs. My Fuji Del Rey has SunTour LePREE hubs and derailleurs, but the derailleurs are distinctly labeled "LePREEL"--with an "L" at the end. Would this date this particular set of LePREE(L) derailleurs as early LePREEs? Does anyone know how long they were produced? Does anyone recall ever seeing this particular spelling--LePREEL--before? I feel a bit silly asking this, since I know that while the LePREE line isn't awful stuff, it's certainly not as good or spiffy as Cyclone or Superbe or Sprint; I'm just curious. And speaking of Sprint . . . haven't I heard that that line also had variant spellings? "Sprit" or "Spirt" sticks in my mind. . . . (And I know that SunTour has also been Suntour--and goodness knows what else!)
Thanks for whatever answers you can supply on this--and thanks for putting up with this far-eastern digression!
nath "taking advantage of warm sun while I can" dresser spring green, wisconsin