Well, a trip today to Via Bicycles in Philadelphia was well rewarded with a Universal 68 caliper I've been looking for to complete a set, a nifty set of crit bars and a Fuji frame to build up a winter trainer. All for under a C note! Classic sightings included a Jackson Trike, a Jack Taylor tourer, a Heylet and a Hetchins curly. All, fortunately not in my size or I would have need to borrow bus fare home.
The frame I picked up is a Fuji Del Rey touring style, 62 cm with a plush 105 cm wheel base, 58 cm top tube and 43 cm chain stays. Should be a comfortable ride . I'm hoping it's within CR date constraints, but at least it's a lugged steel bike with classic appearance: silver metallic with a bronze/copper seat tube panel. Double eyelets, TT cable guides, BB cable guides and 1 set of bottle bosses comprise the braze ons. Paint is in outstanding shape for such a cheap buy Really, almost nothing to touch up, although the decals are peeling.
. I need at least four questions answered to get started.
1. What size seat post does it take? The smallest I have is a 26.8, and it's too big.
2. The tubing is Valite quad butted. The fork also has a Valite decal. I can't find a seam in the seat tube and I haven't pulled the BB yet. Anyone with data on the quality level of this tubing? The frame is not especially svelte, but the forks and stays seem beefy to my calibrated digits during the squeeze test.
3. I may put a very old original style Dura Ace crank on here. It is the earliest, non aero type with the fluted crank arm and spider, with Dura Ace cast into the flute in raised letters. What size spindle does this crank set normally take on a standard steel frame?
And finally, the disqualifying question:
4. How old is this frame?
Thanks in advance.
Tom Adams, Shrewsbury NJ