A pitch precursor for a general purpose carbon fiber was prepared by condensation of pyrolized fuel oil (petroleum residual oil) with bromine under nitrogen blowing. such a condensation raised the softening point of the pitch from 4$0^{circ}C$ to $265^{circ}$ with a yield of 43%. The pitch precurosr showed an enhanced aromaticity and enlarged molecular size, which led to a reduction in molecular mobility and optical isotropy. The precursor was spun into fibers of $20mu extrm{m}$ diameter at a take-up speed of 700m/min. The fiber was stepwise stabilized in air and carbonized in Ar gas to obtain an isotropic carbon fiber. The carbon fiber exhibited tensile strengths of 500-800 ㎫though the fiber was formed via a crude method. The electric conductivity of the carbon fiber was relatively high, 2.2$ imes$$10^2$S/cm, sufficient to be used as electrode materials.