dmannion56

I just picked up what looks like a matched pair of Panasonic bikes, but equipement is different.
Womens, Panasonic Tourist, 10 sp, Shimano 400 front/rear derailers, Dia Compe single side calipers, high tension 1020 steel butted frame. 10 speed deluxe sticker.
Mens, Panasonic Tourist, 10 sp, Thunderbird front derailer, Eagle II rear, Dia Compe s/s calipers, same frame & sticker as above.
Both have full front/rear fenders and Panasonic seats. What can anyone tell me about them?
They are nice bikes, but ride so much different from my Cannondale Mtn. bikes. Any information will
be appreciated.

dmannion56

dmannion56 again, forgot about the Shimano 'FF' Front Freewheeling sytem on the front crank. This is a new one to me and perhaps the oddest thing I think.
Thanks dm56

T-Mar

Based on the components and tubing, these sound like late 1970s, entry level models. According to Sheldon Brown, the 2nd digit in the serial number indicates the year the the frame was built, though you have to know or assume the decade. Panasonic bicycles were well manufactured and designed, so provided they are not worn out or abused, so they should be nice, casual rides.

Shimano's Front Freewheel System (FFS) was an attempt to overcome what they considered to be the big drawback of standard freewheels - the inability to shift while coasting. A high friction freewheel on the rear hub combined with a freewheel in the crankset ensured chain movement while coasting, permiting the derailleurs to be shifted. FFS was often spec'd in conjunction with Shimano's Positron indexed shifting system. Both were commerical failures. However, Shimano often lets their failures lie dormant, re-engineers them and them re-introduces tham at a later period. I wouldn't be surprised if Shimano re-introduces a revised FFS in the future.

dmannion56

My serial number is 6E2 something. If this a 72,82, or something else? I am getting more interested in these bikes by the day.
Dave

T-Mar

1972 is too early, as FFS was not introduced until the 1976 model year. Howewer, 1982 seems too late, as the 400 series derailleurs were gone from the Shimano catalog by 1980.

Sheldon's website states, "The second digit is the year, e.g., T5M78563 would be a 1985 frame." Your serial number format seems to be missing a preceding letter. In Sheldon's example, the second the second digit is also the first number, which in your case is a "6" and I wonder if this isn't the year indicator. If so, it would represent 1976, which is a good match for both the FFS and 400 components. Try corroborating this assumption using the date code on the components. Refer to
https://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm for the format and decyphering of these codes.

Nornally, a frame serial number is the preferred method for dating a bicycle, but when these don't seem to make sense, you have to go to the components for a sanity check. Good luck. Please post what you find.

rickkko

I have a Panasonic brochure from 1977 that shows those two models. What do you want to know? (I also still own a Pana-Touring Deluxe that I bought new in '77. I still ride it today. Excellent bicycle. Very classic looking.)

Here's my web page on my '77. Includes lots of details and a bunch of photos. https://dana60.com/rickko/bikes/pana/

..rickko..