Sorry , forgot to sign off.
Ted Ernst, rolling around the track.
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 2:55 PM Subject: Re: [CR]Anybody know anything about this bike?
> Doug: It looks like the regular fixed gear stock bike that came in from
> almost all the Japanese companies in response to the Italian and French
> amateur or stock street "Track" models.
> They were primarily made with straight guage tubing and were bought by
> road guys who wanted to do a little track training without buying a second
> expensive bike because they weren't going to race.
> These models were raceable but heavy and some beginners on limited budget
> bought them or some guys to see how they liked the track and then could be
> sold for an upgrade model or were used as is for the training purpose they
> were intended for.
> The reason they were drilled for brakes is that many people wanted them
> for fixed gear road training and riders wanted to put brakes on them.
> Also CPSC probably called for the facility to mount brakes.
> Remember, You can't sell a bike unless it is road worthy.The only way you
> don't have to abide with the rules from a shop is if you buy a frameset
> and custom fit it or it is Specifically sold to be used on a race course
> or velodrome as it were. Then it will not be used for street use.
> Theoretically. So don't sweat the brake holes. Many bonafide track
> machines came with holes for brakes because that's what part was available
> and it was used. Not always was a "track" only fitting in the bin or even
> worried about.
> Ride the GD bike and quit nitpicking worrying about it, what are you some
> kind of fanatic was the prevailing, professional comment. Bikes were built
> to ride and not obsess about unless you were a neat freak.
> Also many countries have rules that will not allow a bike on the street
> without brakes, and the factories covered themselves. If the builder was a
> top guy and had the undrilled fitttings then they were used if not, no big
> deal.
> In a stock factory making consumer beginner wannabee bikes , they were not
> going to use anything not sellable or worry about the logistics on a
> complete $200 type bike with fixed gear.
> These models were bought by many velodromes as rentals for the track and
> beginner machines.
> Equipment was usually clincher wheels, and standard second and third line
> group kits.
> What else ya wanna know?
> ----- OPSCinal Message -----
> From: "Doug Van Cleve" <dvancleve@gmail.com>
> To: "CR List" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 9:58 AM
> Subject: [CR]Anybody know anything about this bike?
>
>
>> Howdy folks..
>>
>> I have a Panasonic fixed gear that I am guessing is from the early
>> 80s. As you can see, it has track fork ends but it is not really a
>> track bike. It is drilled for front and rear brakes but doesn't have
>> any braze-ons. I have seen pictures of 4-5 others, and oddly enough
>> all of them appeared to be the same size as mine. I am not using any
>> of the original components anymore, but it was original except perhaps
>> for the seat and seatpost in the numbered pictures. Any info would be
>> appreciated...
>>
>>
>> http://i73.photobucket.com/
>> http://i73.photobucket.com/
>> http://i73.photobucket.com/
>> http://i73.photobucket.com/
>> http://i73.photobucket.com/
>>
>>
>> Thanks, Doug
>>
>> P.S. Anybody know if Photobucket allows linking to the album rather
>> than
>> the
>> individual pictures?