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?