1987 Panasonic Winter Project
 

So I built up my Miyata frame only to find that i needed a new headset. The headset will not arrive until Tuesday. With so little riding time left before winter snow I was really bummed to have no bike to ride as the Miyata is in the stand headless. Well up came a CL ad for this Panasonic DX 3000 at a very reasonable price in my size. I know its not a top end Panasonic but at the price I paid it was a can`t lose price. The bike was all original but for the big fat comfy spring seat that looked horrible. The hubs were filthy and the crank set still is. I needed to ride. So last night I cleaned up the hubs, changed the seat and checked the bike over real good.

Went out for a 20 mile ride today and was pleasantly surprised how great this bike rides. The frame is far better than the components it was given. This bike handles so well and rides like a high end bike does. In fact it holds the line on tight fast turns better than my Guerciotti did. With a better set of wheels and some very good tires it would be a dream ride. Not that the wheels are bad on the bike now, but the rims are single wall rims.

The paint looks to be in great shape with only a few chips and scrapes. Most of the scratches should polish out and the paint should pop by next spring. It will be fully cleaned and polished over the winter. After today`s ride my friend looked through his spare tires and I now have an exact match to the Specialized All Weather 700 X 28 rear so I am all set with matching tires. Well anyway it was a good find. It may be a keeper but either way it is money in the bank. Now for the pictures:

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Looks pretty nice! Yeah, the components are a bit mix-n-match but that kept the price point down and Panasonic sold a lot of them back in the day. Still a nice ride.

Honestly it was such a good price I figured I could ride it for a couple of weeks and flip it for twice what I paid. After riding it, my thoughts are, wow, with a modern Ultegra or 105 drive train, this thing will rock!! I love the colors as well. Nice paint job for a bike with Light Acton shifting? Nothing wrong with light action though, the bike shifts fine as is. Oh the possibilities. :)

This is my first Panasonic, I am impressed.

I will most likely flip it in the spring though. I hope to find deals through the winter that I can fix up and sell off to buy a nice Italian Racing bike. That is my hopes. My luck has not been so good lately. :)

I know we live in the land of the Italian is supreme, here. For my money Panasonic frames are the nicest I've ever ridden. I've yet to try the fabled Italian.

I have tried one. My Guerciotti did have a bit of magic in the ride. I was able to maintain speed for a longer period of time with less effort than any other bike I have owned. Some of the Italian bikes are just so pretty looking. I am not married to Campagnolo though. Dura Ace will do the job. I would like to find a top Panasonic as well. I just have to have one goal at a time. This mid level Panasonic is so nice riding that I am sure a top racer would be awesome. :thumb:

Black and yellow rock as a Colour combo !

glad to hear you got your mind blown by the unexpected !

My Panasonic built Paramount is that one for me; It rides itself.

If you decide to keep it, let me know, I'll send you some bar tape in yellow that will match it.
I always liked that model, seems very similar to the Lemans RS, likely made in the same place.
Panasonic paint is well done, and a lot of hard rubbing with WD40 will really clean it up.

I must convince myself that I am going to flip it. If I don`t, come spring, it will have full Shimamo 600 drive train with STI levers and 8 speed wheels. I will be completely upside down on the bike. LOL :)

I have no willpower to stop myself from upgrading. :)