Posts Tagged ‘japanese’
Panasonic – new handlebar and thumb shifter mounted to stem
March 25th, 2012
I have installed the new Velo Orange Postino handlebar. Even though very similar to the Milan, the feel is different. The bar does not feel as flexible, but this is not necessarily a bad thing.
I will miss the Nitto Moustache bar. So it may reappear on the rSogn.
I also added a “stem shifter” made from an old Suntour XC-LTD front thumb shifter. I prefer Suntour’s power shifters over straight friction, and this works great. After last night’s 25-mile Brewery Ride hosted by Charlie (Sins and Sprockets), I would say it works well. Unlike downtube shifters where your hands seem to fall into natural position, reaching to the center for the stem does feel a little odd. It is a small price to pay, as I really like the way the various parts are organized.
Next up, a front rack for this bike.
Tags: 1970s, bicycles, japanese
Posted in Bicycles, Panasonic Touring
Mixte is complete
August 15th, 2010
Here are a couple photos of the complete mixte. Frame is Fuji Absolute, color is Lightning. Additions: MKS Touring pedals, Velo-Orange porteur handlebar (very comfortable), Dia-Compe inverse levers, SR Custom stem (for longer reach), brown Cateye bar tape, cotton twine cord whipping, yellow cable housing, and new cables, and lots of new grease. The front derailleur and shifter were removed to simplify the design.
Still needs: brown leather saddle.
Tags: 1980s, bicycles, Fuji, inverse levers, japanese, kku, mixte, porteur, yellow
Posted in Bicycles
New mixte project
August 7th, 2010
I found a new yellow circa 1987 Fuji Absolute mixte project bike on Craigslist. Thank you, Branden, for picking it up. This will be Kirsten’s city bike. The bike appears to have been stored indoors and hardly used. Porteur handlebar and MKS touring pedals have been ordered.
Photo from the Craigslist ad.
Catalog page from Classic Fuji.
Tags: 1980s, bicycles, japanese, kku, mixte, yellow
Posted in Bicycles