Another stunner from William Bevington!
"Behold the Fuji Pursuit! This issued out of a corner of the Nichibei Fuji Works in 1977. As far as "we" know it is one-of-a-kind. Very much ahead of its time, this point-to-point single speed is not a fixie but a truly modified track machine. Of particular interest is not the drilled fork crown accommodating the single front black-anodized brake, but the water bottle fittings! Built from Fuji's 331 steel tubing, it is essentially a contemporary Fuji Professional with track drop-outs, lovely round-sectioned tubing fork crown, modified lugs and rear stays, well, perhaps it is far more than simply a modified Fuji Professional. Black and white livery, as clean as it gets."
"The bicycle is not only one-of-a-kind, it is original, unchanged for 35 plus years. It came into my hands through the always generous machinations of Scott, who helped broker a deal with Warren Koebler of Belmont Wheelworks outside of Boston. This is an ex-Gene Ritvo steed. Others may know as to whether Gene had a hand in the Pursuit's design and creation, the likelihood is that he certainly did. He was the first owner, and I, the next. It is one of a brace of black-liveried wonders which Gene owned. It's twin is another rare, though not quite as rare bird, a black Fuji Professional with orange detailing. Both sport the magnificent Crystem Nitto stem — what a wonder of elegant design. This clamps to a marvelously figured ferrule of the Nitto bars; all is encased in well aged stitched black leather (on the Pursuit), chestnut leather on the matching black professional. The black fluted stem is something Gene probably did, not factory."
"Riding this one-off through New York City streets is a blast. No trepidation except for those well-aged and now impossible to get Soyo Special 300 tubulars. They were my favorite tires back in the day, and they do not disappoint currently. I brought them up to 95 lbs. pressure (in deference to their age I did not want to exceed 100 lbs.) and put the Pursuit through a fairly high-speed run around Central Park, then down through Manhattan to the Brooklyn Bridge, out to get lost somewhat in Brooklyn (thanks iPhone!) and back to safety. I have one old Soyo Special 300 spare just-in-case, but this might be the last risk I take, as the bicycle remains 100% original and I am loath to diminish that through a flat tire. The Pursuit is as direct as one would imagine, a total joy to ride — solid, precise, and unwinding with a sweet abandon. Scott and I were originally going to break up the set of two black-liveried Pursuit/Professionals, but we could not do it, they are meant to be shown in tandem. So Scott and I, leaning on his intense generosity as our guide, decided I would carry the flame for a while and keep them together. As they say, "we worked out a deal." But here, now, is the Pursuit — Fuji Advanced Sports should probably rerelease it, and let people know they were way ahead of the curve with this one. Sorry about the scratched up water bottle with my favorite logo! The Fuji 3-dot. Enjoy."
Note: William is the graphic artist/designer that created the "3-Dot" logo for Fuji back in the seventies.