ottothecow

I am trying to identify an old panasonic

The serial number on the seat tube appears to be 1B07697 although I am a little unsure on that 1 (it could be an L or just a straight line before the serial number).

It is made of Hi Tensile 1020 Double Butted Steel and there is a sticker saying something about "10 speed deluxe"

From my digging, I have come to this bike from the 1981 catalog: https://picasaweb.google.com/scarsgo/...39874385134850

It looks almost right (color is spot on) but it specifically mentions cotterless cranks and I believe this frame has cottered cranks and there are a few other parts that don't seem to match. There is a sticker indicating it was sold at some point by a place that repairs and sells used bikes so that would explain some of the parts but I don't think they would have been able to put cottered cranks on a cotterless BB...

a very rough measurement says it might be something like 57cm but it might be nice to know the sticker size if that can be found from the serial number....

embankmentlb

By 81 cottered cranks were long gone. Panasonic frames came in 2 inch increments, 21", 23", 25" for most of the lower end bikes.

ottothecow

Knowing that, I looked back and saw that it might be this:
https://picasaweb.google.com/scarsgo/...95856285317890

I saw someone say that the 1B in the serial meant 1981 February (B) but there are several 7's in the serial number and the 77 model had cottered cranks.

The only thing that seems wrong with that is that the 77 catalog's table claims it has chrome fork tips and I don't think this bike does

They do not have a 78 catalog posted...maybe it is a 78

ottothecow

I got a chance to look at the bike again, it does in fact have chrome tips on the fork so I guess 77 fits the bill.

How hard is it going to be for me to to replace the cottered cranks with modern cranks? Is the BB a standard size?

I am sort of hoping to convert this into a temporary cyclocross bike until I can afford something better if I decide I want to keep doing cross