1975 Matsushita National (Panasonic) Sensor
1975 Matsushita National Sensor
I challenge anyone out there to come up with a more fantastic bike.
A customer brought this into Kingston Classic Cycle in the mid-‘90’s. He had bought this rolling monument to awesomeness while working in Japan, and reluctantly traded it to our friend Jeff for a pile of gold or maybe a million dollars or something. Jeff totally lucked out. The Sensor has it all.
Up front we have dual flip-up headlights. Yep, they’re retractable, actually they remind me of the headlights on my 1980 Mazda RX-7. A toggle switch on the handlebar controls the light position, and a generator powers them. Want more? There’s a rear view mirror the size of a television screen, an integrated lock on the fork and a front rack.
The gear system is Shimano Positron indexed shifting. This is Shimano’s predecessor to their S.I.S. system of the late eighties, but with a twist. First, the freewheeling mechanism is in the crankset, so you can shift gears anytime the bike is moving, not only while you pedal. Second, the Positron control lever is a cool stick shifter mounted on the top tube with a backlit gear indicator on it!
The headlights retract
A backlit gear indicator
Hydraulic actuated brakes
This is probably a “license to thrill”
We’re not even done talking about features!
Other slick equipment choices include a small front rack between the headlights and a rear rack with fold-out side extensions. There are integrated matching fenders and stylish chainguard that probably makes the bike more aerodynamic somehow. It has a generator-powered brake light, a bell, a kickstand, and the most modern bit of bicycle technology: a rear hydraulic disc brake.
Mid-70s vintage Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
The rack has side arms that fold down
How terrific is this?
Shimano Positron
This marvelous bike was made by the Matsushita Electric and Industrial Corporation. We know Matsushita more familiarly as Panasonic. Panasonic has a long history with bicycles. One of their earliest endeavours was a line of bicycle lamps, first marketed under the brand name National in 1927.
If you never see another stock bicycle as fabulous as this, don’t worry. We can always build something custom for you.