Did I get this right, year of production for Panasonic?
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Did I get this right, year of production for Panasonic?
PANASONIC (Japan): See Matsu****a.
MATSU****A/NATIONAL (Japan): yMxxxxxF indicates an alpha character designating the fortnight (i.e. A= weeks 1-2, B=weeks 3-4,....Z = weeks 51-52)
M indicates an alpha character designating the month (i.e. A = January, B= February,... L = December)
Y indicates an alpha character designating the year . The year that corresponds to a particular alpha character can vary significantly. The specific convention will be listed under the manufacturer entry.
mm indicates two numeric characters designating the month (i.e 01 = January, 02=February,..... 12= December)
y indicates a numeric character designating the last digit of the year (i.e. 1 = 1971 or 1981, 2 = 1972 or 1982, etc.). With such codes, you have to determine the decade based on frame characteristics, components, etc.
yy indicates two numeric characters designating the last two digits of the year (i.e. 81 = 1981, 82= 1082, etc.)
xxxx indcates a numeric characters designating the sequential frame number within a the fortnight, month or year. This number string is typically four to six characters in length but can vary.
Serial Number: 8085022
T-Mar do I have this right? Given your protocols above, we disregard the first four serial numbers, per Matsu “8085” but then the next number “A” under the Matsu serial number protocols is the year “0” which would be either 1990/1980, and it is my guess 1990 year of manufacture?
Thanks for your advice and all others too.
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Do you have a full pic of the bike? Interested in seeing it. Big panasonic fan.
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This is not the standard M-a-t-s-u-s-h-i-t-a format unless they inadvertently stamped a "zero" in place of the alpha character in the 2nd position. Assuming this is the case, it is from 1988 but could be late enough in the year to be a 1989 model, Assuming the serial number is correct, it could be a contract manufactured frame indicating August 1988. This is in the grey are where it could be a 1988 or 1989 model. Is there a country of origin decal? As requested in the above post, an overall, drive side picture would be appreciated and may help to solve the issue.
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Thanks T-Mar and uncleivan, I am going to look at this bike this Sunday and should have more information about it then. And thanks for firming up a date of manufacture. I will post more on Sunday after I've seen the bike.
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Just brought it home, a Panasonic Team America Custom. After lunch I will post a detailed review of this bike. Look for my post: The Second Unicorn-Panasonic Team America Custom.
"spoiler alert" in the last picture you can see something I missed until I brought it home.
Yes, the derailleur cables are both internally routed...
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Well that find doesn't suck one little bit, does it?
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera