what would you with to this frame/fork?

1986 fuji team america, columbus tubing, 54 cm, hand made hand painted, etc.


how would you build it up?
what components? why?

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Permalink Reply by Campbell Street Bikes on November 3, 2008 at 5:05am
I'd start with a paint job, something highlighting the lugs. then build it up with something like SRAM Rival, or Shimano 105. That will be a comfortable ride, but since it'll never be light go with reliability over flash on the components. I can't tell by the pic if it has rack / fender mounts. but that would make a very nice commuter.
Permalink Reply by Danielle on November 3, 2008 at 5:16am
The first thing I'd do is stencil in "fuck yeah" next to Team America. I don't think I would give it a paint job. Looks like it would be a good candidate for a single speed or fixed, but if you plan to do some long rides, I would skip that and gear it up seeing that you have some bosses for downtube shifters. The 2009 Kona Honky Tonk has downtube shifters on it as well, and if you want some ideas for components, you and take a look at that one.
Permalink Reply by o0_dan_0o on November 3, 2008 at 5:44am
Danielle said:
The first thing I'd do is stencil in "fuck yeah" next to Team America.

ho lee chit. i am definitely gonna do that.

Danielle said:
The 2009 Kona Honky Tonk has downtube shifters on it as well, and if you want some ideas for components, you and take a look at that one.

i think i will, thanks a bunch!
Permalink Reply by Jon on November 3, 2008 at 7:37am
Totally read my mind!

Danielle said:
The first thing I'd do is stencil in "fuck yeah" next to Team America. I don't think I would give it a paint job. Looks like it would be a good candidate for a single speed or fixed, but if you plan to do some long rides, I would skip that and gear it up seeing that you have some bosses for downtube shifters. The 2009 Kona Honky Tonk has downtube shifters on it as well, and if you want some ideas for components, you and take a look at that one.
Permalink Reply by J on November 3, 2008 at 7:41am
This was Panasonic's top of the line road frame in 1986. Its sister frames were the Campagnolo-equipped Team Europe and Suntour Superbe Pro-equipped Team Japan. All shared the same Columbus SP/SL tubeset and SP fork with Lostwax lugs. The ride compares favorably with other Italian-inspired Japanese frames from the era by Miyata and Bridgestone. It would have come with Araya rims and very light Panasonic/Panaracer tubulars.

If you did want to restore it, you'd go with 6 speed Dura Ace SIS (down tube shifters of course). The Superbe Pro version had a 7 speed cluster. Everything else is easy enough to find: Nitto Pearl stem, Cinelli-bend Nitto drops, Dura Ace seatpost, Selle Italia Turbo saddle. And remember to use gum hoods on the brake levers! 126mm spaced rear wheels are plentiful and cheap.

This frame does not have braze ons for fenders or racks and in fact, the chainstays are very short -- so clearance for either will prove difficult. While not as aggressive or stiff as modern road racing bikes, this frame will corner and descend well for lighter riders. But I would make sure that it's aligned properly before you spend time and money on it.

Or you could just cobble it together with used and modern parts. But isn't that a little too easy? I've nothing against conversions, but this frame is almost too nice to live out its remaining years with such ignominy.
Permalink Reply by burden on November 3, 2008 at 8:22am
J beat me to the punch here, but I can add some pretty pictures.

Here's the original spec:

http://picasaweb.google.com/scarsgo/1986PanasonicBicyclesCatalog#52...

And a bunch of photos of an '86 Team America restoration:

http://picasaweb.google.com/scarsgo/1986PanasonicTeamAmerica

If you can't figure out what to do with it, it happens to be my size... ;)
Permalink Reply by J on November 3, 2008 at 9:50am
Wow, I can't believe someone has the original catalog. That's amazing.
Permalink Reply by o0_dan_0o on November 3, 2008 at 9:58am
thanks j, ive had this thing a few years and i've looked all over the webs for this exact info. i never thought about checking the alignment, and the guy i got it from did say he was in a crash with it.


burden said:
J beat me to the punch here, but I can add some pretty pictures.

Here's the original spec:

http://picasaweb.google.com/scarsgo/1986PanasonicBicyclesCatalog#52...

And a bunch of photos of an '86 Team America restoration:

http://picasaweb.google.com/scarsgo/1986PanasonicTeamAmerica

If you can't figure out what to do with it, it happens to be my size... ;)

again, ive looked around but never saw that, either.
Permalink Reply by Chucko on November 3, 2008 at 3:04pm
Hey, a racing frame with downtube shifters! Get it a powdercoat and build it up as a classic racing bike. Does it take 700c or 27" wheels?
Permalink Reply by burden on November 3, 2008 at 4:25pm
J said:
Wow, I can't believe someone has the original catalog. That's amazing.

I found it here: http://panabike.s-cars.org/

He apparently tracked down a former Panasonic sales manager who had an almost-complete run of US catalogs.
Permalink Reply by o0_dan_0o on November 3, 2008 at 6:38pm
Chucko said:
Hey, a racing frame with downtube shifters! Get it a powdercoat and build it up as a classic racing bike. Does it take 700c or 27" wheels?

i would imagine it came with 27"s.. ive read a little about brake calipers that will work with 700c rims on bikes designed for 27's but i dont know all that much..

i like the classic racing bike idea cept i wanna red rim on the back and a yelko or a white one on the front..
Permalink Reply by El Duke on November 4, 2008 at 3:34pm
I say leave it as is and either build it up as J describes or a modern variation thereof. It would look really nice with some decent components on it and left unpainted (un-repainted?).

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