Classic & Vintage - Panasonic Touring deluxe

There's a couple of guys who collect golf clubs who attend the auction I go to, and they are always tipping me off about bikes at various thrifts (they have convinced me to never, ever make fun of golf again just by their general niceness. This is a huge concession on my part). One of them told me there was a Panasonic at one of the Southside thrifts, and I went and found this bike. It's a Panasonic Touring Deluxe, a nicely set up touring bike. It followed me home.

Frame is tange 1000 Cro-moly, double butted. Shimano drivetrain, except for the cranks (takagi ar:t). Shimano cantilever brakes. Marked as "handmade", I'm pretty sure it's an Osaka bike-- the serial number is on the headtube, but it does not follow the pattern I've seen on previous Panasonics. The serial number starts "6E2"; my understanding is that the second digit was the year; other serial numbers I've seen follow a letter-number-letter-number pattern (eg M5e6, which would be an 85). Tenatively, since the bike is non indexed, I'm guessing it's an 82, but that seems early.

Unfortunately, the darn thing is my size, so I may wind up keeping it. I had a beatiful Panasonic pass thru my hands about two years ago, a DX5000 built for a much smaller person than I (nothing irritates me more than finding a primo bike that is not the requisite 62cm). I've wanted a good Japanese bike for awhile. This one's not as nice as the DX (I don't think) but is still a very nicely built lugged steel bike and a true tourer (I think, I've never owned one.). Probably a great hauler.

Any info or corrections to my wild assumptions are of course greatly appreciated.

Are those Shimano 600 cranks? That would make it later than '82 by quite a bit.

Congrats on the great find :)

I'd love to find a nice Panasonic, I'd love to find a touring bike. The two combined is even better. Man... really I need to hit the local thrift stores around here.

crank is takagi ar:t triple. Bike may be an 86, as stated, the darn thing's serial number is subtly different than the other Panasonics I've seen. 82 is a shot in the dark, I am, however, pretty sure it's in the 82-6 range.

The DX I found was from 88 or 89, I believe (memory here, never exact) and had a full Shimano 600 gruppo on it. Still have the wheels and brakes, running happily on an old Trek :).

looks like a nice ride. Now about your name. I had an Irish "nutty' aunt that use to use a phrase similar to that. It was years before my dad told me that it meant Kiss my a$$. Is this what your name means?? Charlie

Unfortunately, the darn thing is my size, so I may wind up keeping it. I had a beatiful Panasonic pass thru my hands about two years ago, a DX5000 built for a much smaller person than I (nothing irritates me more than finding a primo bike that is not the requisite 62cm). I've wanted a good Japanese bike for awhile. This one's not as nice as the DX (I don't think) but is still a very nicely built lugged steel bike and a true tourer (I think, I've never owned one.). Probably a great hauler.

Any info or corrections to my wild assumptions are of course greatly appreciated.
No no no, you're all wrong. That thing is not your size. You're 5'3" and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I hear the tubing sucks. Seat stays have been known to spontaneously fall off. It's an awful bike. Terrible ride quality. I'll take it off your hands. Er... I'm quite the fan of the early '80s bike.

I've picked up a Nishiki (gave to girlfriend), a Lotus (big, but sucky components, turned into fixie), and a Spalding (too small, sold it). On all three, the bottom bracket spindle was stamped with the year of manufacture. I'd check yours to see if it helps you figure out the age.

On all three, the bottom bracket spindle was stamped with the year of manufacture. I'd check yours to see if it helps you figure out the age.

Why take it apart when you don't have to? All the Shimano parts should have two digit date codes. Like on the back of the rear derailleur parallelogram or the back of the front derailleur cage. If it's 1986 the code will start with K. L is 1987, M is 1988 etc. Work forward or back from these, as applicable.

K and J on the mechs. 86, then. Sounds about right. That would mean the first digit on the bike's serial number is the year of manufacture in this case. Thanks, T-Mar.

I'll overhaul the bike completely anyway, I always do, esp. on riders or bikes I intend to give away. I like tearing old bikes down and putting them back together, though this one has to wait a few weeks, as I'm in the middle of a couple other bikes. The bike was rideable as-is, which is not common for the bikes I find; usually there is one or two things wrong with them (broken cables, stuff like that).

Nice try, moxfyre. I've liked the look of the Panasonics I've found before, even the lower end DXs look pretty well made. Unfortunately, none of them have been my size. I'll keep this on awhile and see how I like it. Oddly, I've found a veritable flood of larger framed bikes in the last couple months.

Interesting that you are so fond of the Panasonic Touring Deluxe. I have one I bought new in 1976 and still ride it from time to time. This is one of the sweetest touring bikes I have ever owned. I have heard that they have developed a following over the years but don't know if that is truthful or not. I'd be interested in any information about this model.

I picked up a similar Miyata 610 yesterday off of Craigslist. Shimano cranks but looks like same Shimano light action RD and same canti brakes. It came with the owners manual and original reciept which was dated 1986. Ukai 40 spoke rims with Sunshine hubs and 700x32 Miyata touring tires. SR Laprade fluted post. Selle Royal leather saddle.

My Panasonic Touring deluxe was just stolen. I just brought it out of storage to ride it again and left it on the front porch overnight. Big mistake and now it's gone. So now, I'm pricing touring bikes and am astonished at the cost of touring bikes. I bought this bike in about 1987 and then had it fully tricked out for touring. I don't think I paid much more than $300 for the bike itself. My insurance policy will pay for a replacement, but I wonder what a reasonable replacement would be now. I'm looking at the Trek 520 series and Cannondale makes a touring bike for between $1200 and $1700. I can't believe these prices and I can't find anything cheaper... nor would I really want something cheaper. Any advice would be most appreciated.

Shop used. eBay, CraigsList, yard sale, thrift store, etc. It will be hit and miss, but it's that or a Surly Long Haul Trucker (which I've seen go fully built here for $999.99 at the beginning of the year), or one of the Fuji Tourers (which could be found for as little as $800.00).

You could get a beautiful new Panasonic touring frame from Yellow Jersey. http://www.yellowjersey.org/posd7.html

Pictures before EH gets here. Does it resemble my '88 PT-3500? It also is built with Tange 1000. Heavy as they come but a solid bike that takes me to and from work every day.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/Kommisar89/tn_001.jpg

Bummer on the stolen bike. Do you have a pic of it or can you at least describe it? I have roughly three bazillion (yeah, technical term) Craigslist RSS feeds for Panasonic bikes around the world and I might just see it turn up.

yes, i have a pic somewhere, but i have to dig it out. it's in an old photo album somewhere. i would rather post it to you personally and not on the forum. So, if you have an email that would be great.

I've just inherited my brother's old (1986?) Panasonic Touring Deluxe. I'd like to upgrade the seatpost, handlebars, stem, and am curious about changing to a 700CC wheen size. Can anyone help me with part sizes (diameters)? I don't see markings on the stem, seatpost, etc. The frame itself is 21"

PoqueMahone...did I miss something? Have you posted photos of your Panasonic yet? Juicey tidbits, like how you paid $20 for it & they even through in vintage Cannondale panniers, are also appreciated. :D I'll just sit back here and wait...

I really like that new 2009 Panasonic in green... Too bad it's $1k. For only the stupid frame and fenders and rack.

What about wheels and parts? There's another fat bill at rivendell or elsewhere... :(

But here's a picture I'd like to title "Mudguards 101: Where does the name "mudguards" come from?"
http://www.yellowjersey.org/pankchin.jpg

crank is takagi ar:t triple. Bike may be an 86, as stated, the darn thing's serial number is subtly different than the other Panasonics I've seen. 82 is a shot in the dark, I am, however, pretty sure it's in the 82-6 range.

The DX I found was from 88 or 89, I believe (memory here, never exact) and had a full Shimano 600 gruppo on it. Still have the wheels and brakes, running happily on an old Trek :).

I'm thinking 85 or 86. Before that, a lot of them had Sugino cranks.
Still have that Black Lightning C'dale?

I'm thinking 85 or 86. Before that, a lot of them had Sugino cranks.
Still have that Black Lightning C'dale?

Unloaded it at T-Town for 275. Actually, this thread is ancient, and I've replaced the Panasonic tourer with a Trek 720. Now I'm try to sell the Panasonic.

Talk about the Trek here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=513924&highlight=trek+720

Too bad it's $1k. For only the stupid frame and fenders and rack.[/IMG]

Only $1k? That beats the heck outta the $7k they want for a new Paramount frame and fork.