Panasonic CB4000 with trashiest paint

Hi there

Since I have missed to document my earlier projects, I would like to do so with my current one (will be a quick one hopefully):

I am about to build a „new“ bike for my wife as she does not like her current cheapo road bike. The new bike should be capable to take some load for touring, but should also run smoothly for everyday urban use.

First, i thought about buying a new gravel bike whatsoever, but we all know that this is just too easy. Then, after briefly thinking about buying a used one, I remembered but my mum‘s good old Panasonic CB4000 trekking bike from the early 90s. So, eventually, i ended up digging out this beauty.

Back then it was a high quality 28“ trekking bike and since she has moved it for a stunning total of about 150km since the ourchase, I thought that was a good basis. It uses a shimano DX/XT groupset and panaracer Khartoums mounter on araya rims with DX hubs

After 15 years of storage, the panaracers still had some pressure on them...

The frame is like new and everything else, too,(note the black painted and yet untouched braking surface on the front wheel) except for a little cleaning. Paint job is a nice mix of decent colors and trash 90s patterns

Plan is to

• remove and throw away unnecessary/ugly parts

• replace rusted parts and wearing parts

• give it a clean look (in particular remove bottle cage, replace stem/bar

• put on a front rack (identical to the rear one for opticZ)

• use Japanese parts if possible (so far, saddle and racks are non-Japanese, so should be not more than that)

Would also love to go for a black crank/chainrings but since they are basically new I dont think its appropriate to change this right now...

Will update in the next days...

Cheers

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So dope!

Alright...

Removed and threw away some stuff

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Thanks!

After some cleaning and with some new parts put on provisorily, i think it looks not too bad

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And with the prospective front rack (not yet mounted)

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Gonna be super cool, gotta love these retro trekking bikes. DX is always good. :)

Like where this is going

oooft, I love this!

Nice thread!

„new“

mum‘s

trekking bike

28“

trekking bike

opticZ

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're German.

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

Two things:

1. does anyone have a suggestion for a decent light system (front and rear). Thinking of non-battery as the bile will probably be used occasionally and then its always a pain not having charged batteries...

2. when i replaced the old panaracer khartoum (700x35) with the new panaracer pasela (700x35) i noted that the new tyrez are much wider.

Why is that?

Funny and ofc appreciated side effect is that clearance is now super right and you almost cant see the mudguards from the side <3

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guilty @_@

But seriously, nice project :)

Last part arrived - perfect condition

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Hot damn, these are rare in this condition. How much was it if I may ask?

Thanks

GBP 40 including ship, which I would consider a very fair price, dont you think?

More than fair. I live in a country that has like 1/20th of the UK's GDP and they sell for more here...

Basically done..

Cockpit ready and racks mounted (the fixations are not the prettiest but given that I have basically no tools doint this secretly i am fine with this)

Made in japan bell in place

Will replace the San Marco for some More modern Japanese saddle though... does not really work with the clean XT post...probably kashimax

Cheers

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Decathlon sell dyno front wheels for like 40 quid if you want to cheaply get some all year lighting

This looks awesome, the paint is especially good. Kashimax might not be the most comfortable saddle option, it may be worth it to have that part stay Italian. I hope she likes the bike and gets a lot of miles on it!

Many thanks!

Thought of the attached no?

Repainted the racks today and built some amateur fixation from what i had at hand (will be fixed with a screw)

@PhilDAS thanks, can you post a link?

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Here I was thinking kashimax only made njs hatchets! Looks comfy.

That is lovely, excellent job!