KonAaron Snake 

Gratzie...sorry for interrupting your thread, but I think you have your answer. BUY!

Kevindale

No worries, I've interrupted my share of threads, and it was for a good cause (bike porn!). I'm going to see the bike shortly, knocking on wood.

StarBiker

Original Forks? I like the seat tube bolt, and the color.

KonAaron Snake 

Yep - original fork, with its aero blades. I think the raspberry color they offered was actually cooler.

Other than the tires...bike is basically completely "correct".

StarBiker

I am still trying to figure out how a Panasonic 5000 became a Lotus.
I wish I could turn one bike into another so easily.

Wileyone 

Not sure I like the Head tube. Looks like it spent way to much time in a Wind Tunnel. Would be a no go for me.

KonAaron Snake 

Well...when you're talking about a gruppo that's whole reason de etre was a wind tunnel, I think the Lotus is a much better representation of the concept, and represents better integration with the gruppo. The Panasonic even lacks the center mount shifters. The aesthetics are certainly more radical...but that's the whole reason I like it so much more. The Panasonic is certainly less radical and has more conventional aesthetic. It's actually quite similar to the Lotus Aero Sport (one model down), but with DA AX instead of 600.

The Lotus has the aero rims...the insane, and unique, Nitto stem and bars...the radical tubing...the behind the post seattube bolt. That's why I think it's the most interesting of these bikes and the truest representation of the era craze.

Go big or go home!

rideandgoseek 

IMO $275 for an '86-'88 Panasonic DX-5000 is more than fair. Obviously try and get them down as low as possible and I'd say that if you could get it for $200 you've basically stolen it.

I've attached a picture of my 1987 Panasonic DX-5000 in near mint and original condition and there's no way I'd ever take less than $500 for it. I personally think the '87 paint schemes, especially at the 5000 level, were considerably better than the '88 but if that bike was my size and was local then i'd be all over it for anything under $300

I do however believe that to be a 60cm frame, not a 58cm, just by looking at the head tube.

PS - If we're talking Panasonics I can't ever pass up an opportunity to post my unicorn Custom PICS bike!

KonAaron Snake 

I had/flipped a PICS bike...seriously nice frame. Amazing paint too.

Kevindale

Got the bike, $210. That is one tight bike, it felt great on the brief test ride. Never used indexed DT shifters before -- they shifted perfectly.. It's pretty dusty but seemed to have been well cared for prior to being left in a garage for a couple of years (mud daubers had gotten in under the seat). I measured the seatpost c-c and got 22.5". I, too, thought it looked like a 60cm frame, so that surprised me.

The biggest downside/disappointment is that the hubs, derailleurs, and shifters are Shimano 105. The seller was doing a quick flip, so I have no idea what that history might be. The crankset/headset/brakes/freewheel are the original Ultegra 600 tricolor. Original pedals gone. Original seat, with a couple of little bites out of it, and the Sugino SP-KC 'ruler' seatpost are present. I think it also has the original stem and bars, I need to recheck that. And they're vintage rims, not sure if they're original or not either, since the hubs are changed. I didn't see a speck of rust, and the worst scratch was to the top tube decal. Seat post and stem moved easily.

I agree with rideandgoseek, the '87 had nicer paint. The '88 paint scheme is very 'blah' though somehow my wife actually likes it. I even had the thought that this might be a good bike to repaint Molteni Orange or some classic lusted-after color. Then I'd have an amazing bike with an amazing look.

Edit: Rims are Ambrosio 19 Extra 'Super Elite' with a World Champion 1986 sticker.

KonAaron Snake 

The rims alone are a score!

Congrats - 105, 600...who cares. Tricolor is pretty available and inexpensive if it's bugging you. Good price too. Enjoy it!

Kevindale

Good to know. I think I will replace the 105 with 600 as I find nice affordable pieces. Thank you everyone for the info and encouragement, I'm looking forward to riding this bike.

Pemetic2006

I know nothing about 105 except that it's lower than 600. Is it really though, in practice? Just asking out of curiosity.

Nice Panasonic by the way. Congrats.

Kevindale

Thanks! From what I know, I won't be able to tell the difference between 600 and 105 -- I'm just not experienced enough to tell the subtle differences, and I think the functional differences are minimal. The 105 components might even be a bit more modern and functionally superior. It sounds like the rims are an upgrade at the very least.

Once I get the bike home and cleaned up I'll post photos and try to figure out what year the 105 stuff is from. If I do go after 600 derailleurs and shifters, it'll just be for the look. I wax and wane about how picky I am about those things. But I've admired the look of Ultegra 600, and it's pretty affordable.

KonAaron Snake 

Do what makes you happy...and aesthetics count. 105 has always been the Shimano work horse, and it is a damned good gruppo. Rims are bad ass! I think you'll love this bike (my wife LOVES HER 3000). I agree with others that Panasonic made a top rate frame...they started in bicycles and the ownership had a deep commitment to making bicycles.

Kevindale

I took the bike for a shakeout ride at Cherokee Park here in Louisville. It was a short, fairly careful ride, since I'd adjusted the handlebars and seatpost with my little cheap all-in-one bike tool, and I also wasn't confident about the tires and brakes. Plus the weather dropped from the high 70s 2 days ago to 35 degrees when I rode! I was just in skinny jeans and casual shoes with no helmet (but 2 ski caps).

I really like the way the bike rides. Having that 7th gear with 28 teeth made climbing easier, and the bar/hoods felt great in my hands. I also got a date on the 105 FD -- it's from Oct. 1986, so older than the bike. Still, it shifted flawlessly. Here's a picture of the bike at the park, and the rims the night before in the back of the Prius.
PanasonicParkDS by Kevin Koch, on Flickr

GTizzy

Bravo!

seedsbelize 

I tend to run 600 hubs, and 105 components.
Also a big fan of Panasonic. I have a Paramount built by them. My favorite ride.

KonAaron Snake 

Looks like you cleaned it up all night! Well done sir!

Those tricolor parts can be had for a song...at swaps you see this stuff go for $5-$10. Figure maybe double that in a standard ebay auction. It's really not a big deal either way you want to go. I'd send you the parts for shipping if I had any in the bin.

ramzilla

I don't think there's that much difference between 600 & 105 from that particular time period. Old 600 was interesting because it was prettier. And, 600 morphed into Ultegra. So what's the big deal. 105 works just as well.

CO_Hoya 

Good job with the purchase, I'm a bit jealous.

FWIW, I've experienced issues with the Shimano 600 indexed shifters of that generation failing (broken teeth in the indexed ring). The 105 shifters are apparently much more rugged. I'd leave those shifters even if you exchange the other 105 bits with 600.

Kevindale

Awesome and very helpful info, especially about the shifters. The cleanup was about 15 minutes with a few damp paper towels in the hotel parking lot, before my hands got too cold. I think the bike was pretty clean when it was put aside, and then sat where it could collect cobwebs for a couple of years in a clean, dry garage. It should look great once I get some warm water and mild soap on it, and degrease/relube the chain and chain rings.