Early 1970s Panasonic Sport Deluxe
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Early 1970s Panasonic Sport Deluxe
Hey all, I just bought this shockingly light (25-28 lb?) hi-tensile steel road bike for $70! It's a Panasonic Sport Deluxe I would guess is from the early 1970s. The brakes work great and the saddle is incredibly comfortable. It seems to fit me (5'10") great as I think it's a 23" or 24" frame. I can stand just over the top tube. It has a Shimano Titlist rear and Shimano Thunderbird front derailleur. Looks like it just needs a good cleaning and lubing. Can't wait to take this for some long rides in Maryland!
T-Mar I will post the serial number tomorrow. I will also check the expiration date of the Montgomery County bicycle license to see if that helps date the bike.
T-Mar I will post the serial number tomorrow. I will also check the expiration date of the Montgomery County bicycle license to see if that helps date the bike.
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Panasonic made the Schwinn Le Tours around 1974. This bike reminds me a little of them. Panasonic bikes were well made.
Last edited by cycleheimer; 05-26-22 at 11:12 AM.
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Panasonic didn't start importing bicycles to the USA until 1971,so it should be no earlier than that. At the other end, it should be no later than 1976, as those are the 1st generation Titlist and Thunderbird derailleurs, which got an update for 1977 (and I believe this model also shifted to 600/500 derailleurs by 1977). However, I'm leaning more to the middle of the range, based on the combination of down tube shift levers, butted hi-tensile tubing and the absence a chain guard on the chainwheel, as I thought thought the earlier version didn't use the butted tubeset and the later ones had stem shifters and chain guards. It looks like it may have aluminum rims, which would be an upgrade.
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Where else can you spend $70 and get than much fun? Great bike!
I thought SunTour had the patent an the slant-parallelogram derailleur at this time?
I thought SunTour had the patent an the slant-parallelogram derailleur at this time?
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-----
thanks for sharing this new intake
combination of Thunderbird front with Titlist rear a bit unusual in me experience
Thunderbird typically paired with a Lark model rear
Titlist rear typically combined
with a Titlist front
front wheel a replacement
note small flange hub with curved QR lever while rear is large flange hub with straight QR lever
whoever fitted propstand too impatient to make full use of the plate style chainstay bridge and went ahead and used the unnecessary upper bracket
perhaps propstand did not come with the optional allen bolt for fitment to a plate style bridge
-----
thanks for sharing this new intake
combination of Thunderbird front with Titlist rear a bit unusual in me experience
Thunderbird typically paired with a Lark model rear
Titlist rear typically combined
with a Titlist front
front wheel a replacement
note small flange hub with curved QR lever while rear is large flange hub with straight QR lever
whoever fitted propstand too impatient to make full use of the plate style chainstay bridge and went ahead and used the unnecessary upper bracket
perhaps propstand did not come with the optional allen bolt for fitment to a plate style bridge
-----
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I haven't yet been able to find a serial number but I did get one useful piece of information. The Montgomery County bicycle license on the seat tube expired in 1978, so the bike must have been built before then. I also need to check the rims further - they are probably quite light.
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Panasonic didn't start importing bicycles to the USA until 1971,so it should be no earlier than that. At the other end, it should be no later than 1976, as those are the 1st generation Titlist and Thunderbird derailleurs, which got an update for 1977 (and I believe this model also shifted to 600/500 derailleurs by 1977). However, I'm leaning more to the middle of the range, based on the combination of down tube shift levers, butted hi-tensile tubing and the absence a chain guard on the chainwheel, as I thought thought the earlier version didn't use the butted tubeset and the later ones had stem shifters and chain guards. It looks like it may have aluminum rims, which would be an upgrade.
I would guess the rims are aluminum as the bike seems unusually light. I also had thought the Sport Deluxe had stem shifters as opposed to downtube shifters.
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-----
thanks for sharing this new intake
combination of Thunderbird front with Titlist rear a bit unusual in me experience
Thunderbird typically paired with a Lark model rear
Titlist rear typically combined
with a Titlist front
front wheel a replacement
note small flange hub with curved QR lever while rear is large flange hub with straight QR lever
whoever fitted propstand too impatient to make full use of the plate style chainstay bridge and went ahead and used the unnecessary upper bracket
perhaps propstand did not come with the optional allen bolt for fitment to a plate style bridge
-----
thanks for sharing this new intake
combination of Thunderbird front with Titlist rear a bit unusual in me experience
Thunderbird typically paired with a Lark model rear
Titlist rear typically combined
with a Titlist front
front wheel a replacement
note small flange hub with curved QR lever while rear is large flange hub with straight QR lever
whoever fitted propstand too impatient to make full use of the plate style chainstay bridge and went ahead and used the unnecessary upper bracket
perhaps propstand did not come with the optional allen bolt for fitment to a plate style bridge
-----
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Good to know, thanks! I will look for a serial number on the rear dropouts as I couldn't find one on the bottom of the bottom bracket. That should hopefully resolve the date of manufacture.
I would guess the rims are aluminum as the bike seems unusually light. I also had thought the Sport Deluxe had stem shifters as opposed to downtube shifters.
I would guess the rims are aluminum as the bike seems unusually light. I also had thought the Sport Deluxe had stem shifters as opposed to downtube shifters.
Yes, later versions of this model did use stem mounted shift levers. It's one of the reasons that I think this is closer to mid-1970s.
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Just confirmed that the rims are Sun CRT II 16 aluminum rims and that the tires are Panaracer Paselas. No wonder it's so light. Still no idea about the serial number - I did not see it on the bottom bracket or head tube. I also didn't seem to see it on the rear dropouts.
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Just confirmed that the rims are Sun CRT II 16 aluminum rims and that the tires are Panaracer Paselas. No wonder it's so light. Still no idea about the serial number - I did not see it on the bottom bracket or head tube. I also didn't seem to see it on the rear dropouts.
The serial number could be stamped on/around the rear dropout, If I'm not mistaken, it's on the inside, or possible the badge (4 digit code there I believe)!
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Thanks!
Oh, inside! I just rode and inspected it but I couldn't find the serial number on the badge or rear dropout. You are saying I would have to remove the rear wheel to see it?
The serial number could be stamped on/around the rear dropout, If I'm not mistaken, it's on the inside, or possible the badge (4 digit code there I believe)!
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I do believe it would be on the inside of the rear-dropout of an earlier Panasonic, probably the right side, I'm not sure if you'd have to remove the wheel but it might make it easier. The 4-digit serial on the badge was usually stamped real light.
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Sadly I still had bad luck trying to find the serial number, even looking on the inside of the dropout. I will probably have to pull off the rear wheel. Anyhow...
This thing rides great! My BikeE just had an integrated derailleur hanger failure (stripped out hole for derailleur bolt) so I need to either install a detachable hanger or repair the existing hole. The Panasonic also had disintegrated rim tape on the front rim (leading to unexplained flats in storage), but that was a much easier fix. This means the BikeE has been swapped with the Panasonic as my flagship bike (the perks of having multiple bikes). I took it for three rides in the past week (9, 18.5, and 26 miles) and it rides better and better each time. The key thing I need to do now is adjust the seat to the most desirable height. It's a fast (for me; 15-16 mph average) and comfortable ride.
Here are some shots of the rim tape replacement and the recent rides to Rockville, Germantown, and Poolesville.
Rim tape replacement. Easier than expected. Bad rim tape on the ground (a portion disintegrated, leading to flats at the spoke nipple holes).
Riding to the spot where I take the bus to work (NCI Shady Grove at the edge of Gaithersburg, North Potomac, and Rockville).
Camp Seneca Park/Seneca Lodge in Germantown
Indoor Swim Center in Maryland Sports Complex
SplashPark/MiniGolf in Maryland Sports Complex
Sugarland Road and Maryland 28 (Dawsonville) on the way to Poolesville
Entering Poolesville
Historic downtown with some very old (early 1800s) houses at right
Historic Methodist church
All the big houses are made of gray and blue ticky-tacky
This thing rides great! My BikeE just had an integrated derailleur hanger failure (stripped out hole for derailleur bolt) so I need to either install a detachable hanger or repair the existing hole. The Panasonic also had disintegrated rim tape on the front rim (leading to unexplained flats in storage), but that was a much easier fix. This means the BikeE has been swapped with the Panasonic as my flagship bike (the perks of having multiple bikes). I took it for three rides in the past week (9, 18.5, and 26 miles) and it rides better and better each time. The key thing I need to do now is adjust the seat to the most desirable height. It's a fast (for me; 15-16 mph average) and comfortable ride.
Here are some shots of the rim tape replacement and the recent rides to Rockville, Germantown, and Poolesville.
Rim tape replacement. Easier than expected. Bad rim tape on the ground (a portion disintegrated, leading to flats at the spoke nipple holes).
Riding to the spot where I take the bus to work (NCI Shady Grove at the edge of Gaithersburg, North Potomac, and Rockville).
Camp Seneca Park/Seneca Lodge in Germantown
Indoor Swim Center in Maryland Sports Complex
SplashPark/MiniGolf in Maryland Sports Complex
Sugarland Road and Maryland 28 (Dawsonville) on the way to Poolesville
Entering Poolesville
Historic downtown with some very old (early 1800s) houses at right
Historic Methodist church
All the big houses are made of gray and blue ticky-tacky
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I forgot to mention I recorded a couple brief videos about my Sport Deluxe. I have ridden it at least 120 miles now, to Potomac, Poolesville, Rockville, Germantown, and Boyds (same spot as DonkeyShow showed in the Clunker 100 Challenge). I plan to go from BWI to Annapolis after taking MARC to BWI at some point in the summer.
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Awww thanks! It's truly the best hi-tensile bike I have ever ridden. I never expected a hi-tensile road bike to ride so nicely. Perhaps being lugged instead of electroforged (and 1020 instead of 1010) has something to do with it, plus having aluminum alloy wheels. It really absorbs bumps quite well and is surprisingly comfortable. The fit is quite right for me (23" or 24" frame and I am 5'10"). I will post photos from the trip to Boyds soon.
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#21
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Originally Posted by molleraj;2I 2591998
Awww thanks! It's truly the best hi-tensile bike I have ever ridden. I never expected a hi-tensile road bike to ride so nicely. Perhaps being lugged instead of electroforged (and 1020 instead of 1010) has something to do with it, plus having aluminum alloy wheels. It really absorbs bumps quite well and is surprisingly comfortable. The fit is quite right for me (23" or 24" frame and I am 5'10"). I will post photos from the trip to Boyds soon.
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Thanks! Indeed it has and hopefully will do for years! I just read up on the Super Sport and it sounds very nicely fabricated (fillet brazed?). Probably 30 lbs or so? Sounds also like an upper tier hi-tensile road bike. I bet you have lots of stories to share about it.
Last edited by molleraj; 07-30-22 at 12:49 AM.
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I forgot to mention my upgrades since purchasing the bike (aside from new rim tape on the front wheel) - two Zefal velcro strap bottle cages, a Pletscher Modell C sprung rack, and most recently, MKS Sylvan Touring pedals that feel really amazing. Here's a closeup from some photos of my ride to the Maryland Sports Complex in Germantown.
Closeup of the MKS Sylvan Touring pedals
Bottle cages and Pletscher rack shown here
Schaeffer Road at the Powerline Trail
A view towards the sunset clouds
Closeup of the MKS Sylvan Touring pedals
Bottle cages and Pletscher rack shown here
Schaeffer Road at the Powerline Trail
A view towards the sunset clouds
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Some photos from Boyds, Rockville, Dawsonville, Seneca, and Germantown, as promised. I included Boyds MARC station for @DonkeyShow.
Sugarland Road from Dawsonville south to Seneca
Rocklands Farm
Seneca Road from Seneca towards Darnestown
NCI Shady Grove on the western edge of Rockville
Montgomery College in Rockville
Parilla Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College
Entering the historic town of Boyds
Double rainbow at Black Hill Regional Park (Little Seneca Lake)
Boyds Presbyterian Church
MARC train to Martinsburg arrives at Boyds
Sugarland Road from Dawsonville south to Seneca
Rocklands Farm
Seneca Road from Seneca towards Darnestown
NCI Shady Grove on the western edge of Rockville
Montgomery College in Rockville
Parilla Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College
Entering the historic town of Boyds
Double rainbow at Black Hill Regional Park (Little Seneca Lake)
Boyds Presbyterian Church
MARC train to Martinsburg arrives at Boyds
Last edited by molleraj; 08-05-22 at 07:24 PM.
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And some more I left out.
Model Airpark west of Germantown
Crossing over Great Seneca Creek
Approaching Dawsonville
Homestead Farm towards Seneca
Poole's General Merchandise Store in Seneca
Model Airpark west of Germantown
Crossing over Great Seneca Creek
Approaching Dawsonville
Homestead Farm towards Seneca
Poole's General Merchandise Store in Seneca
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