Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Miyata Nine 14 SE

I'm making a last ditch effort to take a tour before the summer is over, but, devastatingly, I haven't found a decent touring bike yet. I'm considering a "Miyata Nine 14 SE" that I found online, but I can't find any information about it. It has Shimano 600 components and from the pictures it looks like it's in great shape. Will this bike working for touring? What is a fair price for this bike? ARe there other resources for buying a touring bike besides craigslist and ebay? I need a 54cm bike.
Thanks!

Miyata 900 series were top of the line in the eighties, I like the Specialized Expedition Touring bike which pretty much set the standard for production touring bikes. Depending on how its equipped, I would think $200-$400 tops as the Expedition usually sells in the $500-$600 range on e-Bay. I would expect the Miyata to be at least as good quality wise and up to light touring for sure. Tmar is the resident Miyata expert, you might PM him for more info.

I've got a Miyata 914 (which I'm guessing is the same bike) and it has no braze-ons at all... it's not a touring bike.

That's a surprise, I have a 86 Miyata Seven Ten & it has braze ons for 2 bottle holders plus the dropouts have attachment points for fender stays & there was enough clearance to mount a set of Giles Berthoud Stainless Steel fenders, some P clips on the seat stays would make for an easy rack mount if I wanted one. I just assumed this would be true throughout the lineup.

For Miyata, the 610 and 1000 are the true tourers and very desirable. They both came with racks and eyelets for front racks and full fenders.

Az

I just bought a miyata 714 with an aero bar, a seat pack, and a stand, in nearly new condition for $100.
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/7241/bikeqh4.th.jpg (http://img67.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bikeqh4.jpg) The aero bar is leaning against the stand on the floor.

For Miyata, the 610 and 1000 are the true tourers and very desirable. They both came with racks and eyelets for front racks and full fenders.
Az

Yeah - there were a couple of others tossed in there, as well. I have a Miyata 215ST that was towards the bottom of their touring lineup for 1988. It is a nice bike - rides well and is well made (pic below).

I also have a Specialized Expedition, but you'd have to give me AT LEAST $600 to pry it loose from my hands. If you're interested, let me know...... :D

Miyata 215:

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/9397/miyata215st2smalllr6.jpg

Specialized Expedition:

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5347/specializedexpedition1in6.jpg

can't resist joining in - I had a bottom of the line 110 (ca 1981) and while it was humble in comparison (straight guage Miyata cro-mo frame and forks, steel crank, 27" rims, stem and bar, stem mounted shifters, 14-28 rear, etc) once stripped down and tweaked with some nicer components I had laying around it was a fantastic riding bike!

I did a few long rides on it and it was SOOOOOO comfy. I really miss that bike.