Panasonic. Villager II pulled from a barn
 

Actually it was more of a big garage. Bottom line is, I got it for free. Looks to be from the early eighties. Lots of rust and corrosion on some of the components, some look OK. I'm going to fix it up as a project. I know it's not worth it monetarily, but I won't lay a lot out of pocket. Does anybody know if these bikes came with drop handlebars? This one has a flat bar. I'll look at some online catalogues and see what I can find out. Before and after pictures to come later.

Yes, they normally came with drop bars. Does yours also have the front freewheel system?

Not sure, I'll have to look tomorrow.

How's your fixer-upper project going? I got one of these for free this weekend, and am planning on fixing it up as a cheap commuter bike. I don't think anyone ever used the one I picked up. It's still got the old Panasonic tires on it.

Congratulations on a free bike. My question was also about the Shimano Positron? front freewheel system. I believe that's what they were called. I've never ridden one and never worked on one, but from all accounts they are fussy.

Definitely post photos.

Back when they were new, I rode a bike with the FFS briefly (not mine) and it was interesting to be able to shift while coasting, but I honestly thought it was dangerous to have the drivetrain spinning while coasting, because you could easily get something caught in there... especially while servicing the drive train of the bike.

I bought a bike once from a guy out in the country that swept up all the FFS equipped bikes he could find (especially Schwinn Suburbans as I recall) because he thought they were ideal for motorizing.

Mine looks like it has the original FFS in proper working order, but I'm a total newbie on vintage bikes, so I'm not sure. I'll have to talk with my bike guru (aka my brother-in-law) to verify.

Yep. It has the original Shimano front freewheel. Some surface rust on the components, but not bad. I also found the serial number and dated the bike to July 1980.

We sold Panasonics back in the day and I recall their steel rims being super straight, very smooth and very strong. Best steel rims (if you can believe someone is saying that) I ever saw on a bike. Bought one of the FFS Tourist 5 bikes for my sister and put a baby seat on it for her and the then-new nephew. Guys as the shop always gave me crap for saying, "Nice bicycle!" about the Tourist 5.

Shifting on the FFS is positive but leisurely.

So I've gotten her up and running (mostly). Almost all the original hardware is in good shape, even the brake cables. The one exception is the front derailleur, which seems to have a rusty cable. I may have to look around to find a replacement, but she's rideable with the five gears on the rear derailleur, since I'm only using her as a commuter.

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