Greg Fuquay 95ish CMR? Found and restored.

[markjohnson76]

Thought I’d make a thread of sorts for my Fuquay. It’s come a long way since finding it! Tomorrow is a year to the day of Greg’s passing so it seemed apt to show him some respect and acknowledge what a great bike builder he was. I now have some personal experience on one of his machines and I am not disappointed.

My Fuquay journey started about two years ago when I saw an ad for ‘four adult bikes’ on eBay. Collection only in Surrey/London border so not too far from me in south London and £40 the lot. My eagle eye spotted what looked like a Grafton or Topline chainset on a black mtb. Further zooming in to the low res photo showed what I thought were purple ringle bottle cages. Magura brakes and possibly thumbshifters. The other bikes were pretty big standard. So I took the chance, bought them and set off for Surrey. This was the ad main pic.

 

[markjohnson76]

The bike I went for was still a bit of a mystery but it was a quick collection so I didn’t inspect it much. I dropped the other three bikes off to a bike charity on the way home.

When I got back I took in what I’d bought. The cranks were Grafton but the NDS arm had a hairline crack (anyone got one I can buy?!?). Brakes were magura and working. Bottle cages were both faded 3dv ringle. Mechs were XT with XT thumbshifters. Seatpost was Answer with Avocet saddle. Zoom stem and Pace bars. Dura-ace headset. Hope hubs (one cracked) with hope skewers on Mavic rims. Altogether a nice haul of bits for £40.

Then I had a look at the frame. It was straight and rust & dent free. No stuck post or stem. Paint was faded mat black with a GF decal on the head tube. Tubes looked thin and well put together. After a bit of digging and advice here and Facebook the name Fuquay was mentioned. It seems the frame might be the best bit after all.

 

[markjohnson76]

I’m not sure if the Reynolds 853 decal is correct but like the head tube decal it’s on top of the paint. Did Fuquay use that steel? I’ve assumed that because of the canti rear cable guide it’s 1996 or earlier. I can’t find any frame number on it.

 

[markjohnson76]

Then it sat in my projects queue for a long while as a frameset which got moved about a lot in storage and during a house move. Greg Fuquay passing away in June 2024 spurred me on to do something with it by this time this year (2025 if you’re reading this in the future).

I didn’t have a yellow bike in my collection and as yellow has been my lucky colour since being a kid, what better colour to use on my lucky find? The standard yellow was a bit boring so I chose Mango Yellow, RAL1028.

 

[markjohnson76]

I’d actually bought a set of white replacement decals from Gil at Retrodecals just after I found it. When the frame forks and stem were back from the powder coaters I had to find the decals. That took a while! The stem in a period cromo that’s 120mm with a little rise.

The frame is 20” center to top with a 22.75” top tube so pretty long. Axle to axle it’s 107 cm which is 4cm longer than a lot of my other 26” bikes from the same era. I’m 5’9” so it fits me ok but any longer stem and I’d struggle.

 

[markjohnson76]

Started adding some parts and I love how it’s turning out. I had the XTR m900 groupset put aside for it. Also some nice black ceramic Mavic 717 on American Classic hubs, these are super light. A little newer than the bike but they look great and the brake surface won’t wear when I use it (which I fully intend to do, a lot).

 

[markjohnson76]

I’d aimed to have it completed by the 10th of June and I just managed to do it. I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out. But more importantly, it rides really nicely. It weighs 22lb and feel very light and responsive. I can’t wait to put some miles on it.

So many thanks Greg Fuquay. I’m so happy this bike found me and I got to find out what a great frame builder you were.

If anyone has more info they can share on what year, steel and ‘model’ they think this is I’d love to hear from you. And any photos of Fuquays that might not already be on this site, I’ve searched for all I can find!

 

[markjohnson76]

A few more

 

[markjohnson76]

And a few more!

 

[markjohnson76]

I think I pinched this from another post here, sorry if it’s yours!