Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

New to me 87' Panasonic MC-6500 MTB

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

New to me 87' Panasonic MC-6500 MTB

Old 02-22-13, 12:06 PM
  #1  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
New to me 87' Panasonic MC-6500 MTB

Picked up this Vintage Panasonic Mountain Cat 6500 of ebay. It was my first bike I bought off ebay and I have to say it all came together very well. The seller shipped and packed it very well, got it in 4 days after the auction ended. I spent most of last year collecting vintage road bikes, I have a feeling this is the start of my vintage MTB collection. I get just as much if not more joy from riding trails and this bike should be able to pound a couple trails here and there. I did some trail riding on a 93' GT Outpost with a cro-mo frame last year and once you get past the fact that there is no front suspension fork, you get used to the "bumpy" ride. This Panasonic weighed in at 18lbs minus the wheelset and tires...figure itll be around 24-25lbs which for an MTB is LIGHT. My 2011 Diamondback 6061 Aluminum frame MTB is 29.8 lbs. This Panasonic should be quite fast as well with the increased gearing on the 48 tooth big ring.

Specs :

Frame/fork - Tange Double-Butted MTB 20"
Front/rear Derail - Suntour XC-7000 6 speed Index
Wheels/ Hubs/ Freewheel - Araya RM-20, Suntour XC, Suntour Winner 14-32 tooth
Front Brake - Diacompe Cantilever #983
Rear Brake - Suntour roller-cam Ubrake 7000
Seatpost/Seat - SR Laprade, Specialized Leather
Brakes/ Shifters - Suntour XC Pro integrated brake/shifter
Stem/Bars - Kusuki BMTL-F600 alloy, Kusuki RK-3 Alloy
Crankset/ BB - Shimano B124 Biopace 48/38/28T, Tange JL-401S
Pedals - MKS-MR1000

Here are some pics....

Still deciding on tires. It came with the Original Panaracer Fattrax which are in VERY good shape, I was thinking of getting something less knobby and lighter weight like a Bontrager Team Issue tire or something similar. I could put the original tires back on it but I kinda want to keep them around incase I ever sell it I can put the OEM tires back on the bike and lighter tires make a HUGE impact on the ride. Let me know if you all like this.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
WP_001483.jpg (98.0 KB, 186 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001481.jpg (90.7 KB, 144 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001477.jpg (83.7 KB, 142 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001476.jpg (88.6 KB, 145 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001475.jpg (72.6 KB, 153 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001474.jpg (97.7 KB, 154 views)
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:12 PM
  #2  
Chris_in_Miami
missing in action
 
Chris_in_Miami's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,579
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Liked 48 Times in 28 Posts
Looks like a cool bike, and Panasonic MTBs are somewhat uncommon. What's up with the white paint on the seat tube junction?
Chris_in_Miami is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:23 PM
  #3  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Chris_in_Miami
Looks like a cool bike, and Panasonic MTBs are somewhat uncommon. What's up with the white paint on the seat tube junction?

White paint? I dunno the bike had that white fade from the factory. The rest of the frame is that seafoam green but the seattube is white fade on this model.
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:27 PM
  #4  
ZeRinger
Panasonic Nut
 
ZeRinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Plymouth, MN
Posts: 613

Bikes: 2000 Pinarello Paris | Panasonics: '88 DX-5000 / '88 DX-4000 / '88 MC-5500 (sold) / '86 Team America / '86 Team Japan (2) / '85 Team / '84 DX-4000 (sold) / '91 PR-6000 / '89 PICS Team Custom / '83 AR-6000 Aero / '89 DX-1000 / '89 Team MC Custom (sold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 14 Posts
Nice score! I nearly bid on it as well but I already own one just like it so I figured it was best to share. Welcome to the club!
ZeRinger is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:29 PM
  #5  
wrk101
Thrifty Bill
 
wrk101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,570

Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more

Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 957 Times in 624 Posts
I had a Panasonic MTB, a couple of steps lower. It was very nice. It did take a while to move it to a new home, as the general market does not recognize Panasonic as a top brand. Of course, I do with probably 15 Panasonic bikes in the family line up and project queue right now. Building up a 1992 Paramount Series 70 MTB right now, that I believe was Panasonic built as well.
__________________
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
wrk101 is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:41 PM
  #6  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by ZeRinger
Nice score! I nearly bid on it as well but I already own one just like it so I figured it was best to share. Welcome to the club!

haha yea I was waiting for you to bid on it, I know you run the museum and figured you saw it on ebay. When I recieved it the bike was pretty dirty but a little never-dull and some wax and it looks like brand new. I cant wait to ride it!! Love me some panasonics....Im jealous of yours for certain.
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:45 PM
  #7  
ZeRinger
Panasonic Nut
 
ZeRinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Plymouth, MN
Posts: 613

Bikes: 2000 Pinarello Paris | Panasonics: '88 DX-5000 / '88 DX-4000 / '88 MC-5500 (sold) / '86 Team America / '86 Team Japan (2) / '85 Team / '84 DX-4000 (sold) / '91 PR-6000 / '89 PICS Team Custom / '83 AR-6000 Aero / '89 DX-1000 / '89 Team MC Custom (sold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 14 Posts
Yeah, yours looks to be in really nice shape. I do love it when they have a patina of dirt and grime that washes away to reveal a nearly mint bicycle underneath.

The only "duplicate" bike I have ever bought was an '86 Team Japan (which I later sold) as I'm not really looking to own multiple copies of the same bike. I'd much rather see it go to someone who wants it and will ride it.
ZeRinger is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:49 PM
  #8  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by wrk101
I had a Panasonic MTB, a couple of steps lower. It was very nice. It did take a while to move it to a new home, as the general market does not recognize Panasonic as a top brand. Of course, I do with probably 15 Panasonic bikes in the family line up and project queue right now. Building up a 1992 Paramount Series 70 MTB right now, that I believe was Panasonic built as well.
Out of curiosity what are some of the Panasonics you currently have? I would possibly purchase one depending on the model, etc. Would have to be 56-58cm.
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 12:53 PM
  #9  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by ZeRinger
Yeah, yours looks to be in really nice shape. I do love it when they have a patina of dirt and grime that washes away to reveal a nearly mint bicycle underneath.

The only "duplicate" bike I have ever bought was an '86 Team Japan (which I later sold) as I'm not really looking to own multiple copies of the same bike. I'd much rather see it go to someone who wants it and will ride it.
How does the 6500 ride? Im hoping it rides nice....never ridden biopace chainrings....they are ODD! lol
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 01:14 PM
  #10  
Chris_in_Miami
missing in action
 
Chris_in_Miami's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,579
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Liked 48 Times in 28 Posts
Originally Posted by andyfloyd
White paint? I dunno the bike had that white fade from the factory. The rest of the frame is that seafoam green but the seattube is white fade on this model.
Ah, got it. I didn't realize that was the original paint scheme.
Chris_in_Miami is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 02:35 PM
  #11  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post


How perfect would this tire be on this bike? You guessed it, PERFECT! Anyone have any to sell??? PLEASE!!
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 05:14 PM
  #12  
wrk101
Thrifty Bill
 
wrk101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,570

Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more

Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 957 Times in 624 Posts
Originally Posted by andyfloyd
Out of curiosity what are some of the Panasonics you currently have? I would possibly purchase one depending on the model, etc. Would have to be 56-58cm.

Most of my Panasonics are branded Schwinn, 2 Prologues, 2 1973 World Voyaguers, a 1992 Paramount Series 5, Series 7, Series 70, a 1986 Peloton, a 1987 DX 2500, and some others that don't come to mind right now.

Several of the ones on the list are keepers (for now anyway). Building up the Series 7 and 70 right now.

Some are on my fb page.
__________________
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
wrk101 is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 06:48 PM
  #13  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by wrk101
Most of my Panasonics are branded Schwinn, 2 Prologues, 2 1973 World Voyaguers, a 1992 Paramount Series 5, Series 7, Series 70, a 1986 Peloton, a 1987 DX 2500, and some others that don't come to mind right now.

Several of the ones on the list are keepers (for now anyway). Building up the Series 7 and 70 right now.

Some are on my fb page.
If you wanna unload a Prologue let me know. :-)
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 03-09-13, 12:08 PM
  #14  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Got a couple updated pics now that the bike is done. I need to go out and take it on a long ride and get some daylight pics but for now this will do. The bike is sporting Michelin Wildgripper tires, on Araya RM-20 rims. The wheel/tire combo is pretty darn heavy. Right now the bike is around 28lbs but If I went with a lighter wheelset Im thinking we could be around 25lbs or so. Rode it around the block and to the grocery last night after I got the tires mounted. The rear U brake had little to no stopping power until I adjusted it and now it will LOCK UP the rear so easily. Im actually pretty impressed with how well the Ubrake stops the bike, its not as powerful as my disk brakes on my 2011 Diamondback but its pretty damn good.

The bike is very smooth and fast, and it actually handles quite well. The angles of the bike are not too slack so it turns in very well and I think itll be a real nice trail rider. Probably gonna add a blackburn rear rack and make this bike a do it all kinda thing. Loving it though.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
WP_001522.jpg (98.4 KB, 127 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001516.jpg (100.3 KB, 116 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001521.jpg (98.4 KB, 121 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001524.jpg (93.5 KB, 118 views)
File Type: jpg
WP_001518.jpg (91.8 KB, 118 views)
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 03-09-13, 01:48 PM
  #15  
KvltBryce
- Bikes Not Bombs -
 
KvltBryce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Desert Hell, AZ
Posts: 631

Bikes: 1986 LOOK KG86, 19XX Les Ephgrave?, 1983 Nishiki Royal, 199X Nukeproof MTB, 1974 Raleigh Grand Prix

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Those tires. That bike.

So much awesome in this thread!
KvltBryce is offline  
Old 03-09-13, 01:56 PM
  #16  
striknein
Goes to 11.
 
striknein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Wichita, KS, USA
Posts: 2,547

Bikes: 2015 Soma Double Cross

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wow, great job!
striknein is offline  
Old 03-09-13, 02:23 PM
  #17  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by KvltBryce
Those tires. That bike.

So much awesome in this thread!
Appreciate it man, I too am just in love with this bike. Took it out last night and was bunny hopping curbs. Cant wait to hit up some trails with it too. The Suntour XC group shifts perfectly and the biopace rings are nice. Good Stuff
andyfloyd is offline  
Old 03-09-13, 02:23 PM
  #18  
andyfloyd
80's bikes FTW
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 388
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by striknein
Wow, great job!

Thank you sir, appreciate it. Glad you all approve. Ill have better pics when I take the ole' girl out and hit up some trails. Gonna take it off some sweet jumps.
andyfloyd is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
johnplf
Classic & Vintage
113
03-02-24 09:36 PM
wrk101
Classic and Vintage Sales
2
04-20-15 08:14 PM
eddiearniwhatev
Classic & Vintage
12
12-24-14 12:22 AM
ThomasPCH
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
6
10-23-14 08:41 AM
Michael Shaw
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
4
02-19-13 11:46 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.