Classic & Vintage - Worth it to spend $200 on Miyata 912 getting it repaired etc?

My original thought of what it's going to cost to get my new-to-me Miyata 912 vintage 1985 road bike fixed up has basically doubled from $100 to probably (!) $200, and that's if they don't charge extra to clean all the bearings and repack them. Ouch! I paid $75 for the bike a few days ago.

You speak of someone charging you. Get some grease and a few tools and save some money. Then you own the tools for all of your future projects.

You speak of someone charging you. Get some grease and a few tools and save some money. Then you own the tools for all of your future projects.

+1 But....

$200-250 for a tuned up ready to ride 912 is OK.

I called them and they are going to check all bearings and clean and/or replace as necessary. Means a slight increase of cost. I also explained the gear probs could be due to the @#%#$% mod previous owner's father did to the gear system, three chain rings instead of two. I'm very worried it's not shifting right due to that rather than a messed up cranky derailleur.

Once it is (hopefully) all working properly, how much will I have to spend on maintenance on it every year? I think I can manage greasing the chain and I can pump up tires myself.

it adds up, but it's generally worth it. go to the bike shop and have a look at the new bikes that cost 300. your 20 year old miyata is nicer than anything they have for under $1000, I guarantee it!
and it's a good idea to repack all bearings etc...if you have that done every year, the bearings will basically last forever. Annual maintenance should be between 50-150, depending on the kind of riding you do. if you only ride it during sunny weather and only on clean roads, you won't pay much to maintain it. but if you ride it in the rain, snow, dirt mud, etc... then you should plan to spend somewhere at the top of that range.

Allan

Once you get the bike in top shape, annual maintenance cost is just about the same, whether the bike is 20 years old, or two years old. In fact, a two year old bike can cost more to maintain due to the increasing complexity of some of the components (going from simple lever shifters to complex integrated brifters).

From a financial point of view, projects are best suited to those that do their own work. So sometimes it makes more sense to buy a vintage bike in ready to ride condition. The choice is yours.

So even if I remain a n00b and can't repair my own bike, the cost won't be that bad after I get this initial stuff dealt with, way cheaper than running a car. This bike can't have fenders installed, to my knowledge, so I won't be riding it in the rain etc. I feel a bit better about this cost. I consider it criminal for a bike like this to be left to collect dust in a basement, rather than to be ridden and taken care of.


My new hybrid is my bad weather beast.

luddite -

Go the the Bike Kitchen and take some time learning how to do some of this work yourself... if that touring triple really bothers you I'll trade you for a nice double. :)

The Nine Twelve is a seriously nice bike and even with $250.00 invested it's a great value as you will find few bikes that are nicer than this for three or four times the money.

You have a gem there and if I was planning on coming out your way any time soon (and I might) I'd do the work for nothing.

+1 for Sixty Fiver. If it were here, all you'd need is parts.

You sure can't drop $250 on another bike and get anything close to the 912.
And let's say you already had $250 in the bike and had to drop another $250 to make it $500.
I'd still do it, and upgrade to STI's for another $100. Even at $600, you're ahead of the game.

I also explained the gear probs could be due to the @#%#$% mod previous owner's father did to the gear system, three chain rings instead of two. I'm very worried it's not shifting right due to that rather than a messed up cranky derailleur.

If I didn't just snap a picture of it I'd think you were talking about my bike. My dad put this @#%#$% (haha) triple on in my Miyata 912 in 1982. It works great and has the original derailleur. A couple turns of the limit screws will most likely fix the issue. The bike shop should have no problem with it. You will love that bike when it's done and if you don't know how to do the work yourself I think it's worth every penny of 200 plus your initial 75. I may be a little biased though...

Wow, I need to clean my bike.