Classic & Vintage - 1989 Miyata 1000 LT - Remove Decals?

I was fortunate enough to find this 1989 Miyata 1000 LT at a local bike shop. Great condition and rides like a gem. Most everything is original aside from the Brooks B17 and bar tape, which I added later. I've been riding this bike for about half a year now, and while I absolutely love the way it rides, I just can't seem to get past the neon decals. Would it be crazy to remove the decals, being that it's a Miyata 1000 LT?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5185706172_38c8bcecfe_z.jpg

A little bit closer.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1303/5185104503_1bee8bfe37_z.jpg

Basically, I'm considering removing the "1000 LT" on the top tube. Rainbow Sherbet.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5185706454_b9143663a7_z.jpg

The "Miyata" decal on the down tube.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/5185706250_12b79f061b_z.jpg

And the "Miyata" decal on the head tube. Pinky pink.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1409/5185706492_b82da93a0d_z.jpg

Due to the 1000 LT's reputation among touring enthusiasts, my better judgement pulls my hand away each time I consider removing the decals. To be humbly honest though, I really would prefer the bike without them. I like the idea of a clean, solid gray frame. The neon pink just won't grow on me.

Lastly, if I do remove them, I happen to be a graphic designer and redesigning the decals would be fairly easy. I spoke with JR at VeloCals and he said that if I sent over the designs, he could print them. This way I would have a backup copy, should I ever need to reapply them. While they wouldn't be the true original decals, they would be extremely similar, if not identical aesthetically.

With that, what are your thoughts? Leave them be, or peel away?
Thanks in advance!

I didn't like them either (I think it was a Miami Vice thing) but it didn't bother me enough to consider removing them. If you plan on keeping the bike and you feel that strongly about it, you should go ahead and personalize it. But, be forewarned, if you ever plan on selling the bike, the value would be less without the original decals. Although I suppose you could always have new ones made.

Leave the decals, someday you'll appreciate them. The '80's will do that to you.

Scott

Just be careful doing it. Old decals tend not to come off in one nice peel. It may be a very time intensive chore, picking off bit by bit of decal and once you start it looks so bad you can't stop till it's done.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T DO IT!!!

A bike like that is going to be handed down at some point...let the next owner enjoy it as Miyata intended it.

That's like cutting out the delapidated buildings in an old family photo. That's where history was when it was made. If it was a beater, sure, but it looks pretty clean. As noted, it's the owner who lives with it.

Would it be crazy to remove the decals, being that it's a Miyata 1000 LT?

It would be both crazy AND stupid.

I don't mean for that to sound harsh, but that's what it would be.

Although, as a traditionalist and a bit of a stickler on restoring a vintage bike to as close to OEM as resonable; I feel like I need to stick up for the OP here since he seems to be getting lambasted. If the OP feels strongly enough about the topic to post a thread, then he apparently 'really' doesn't like the decals. Does that mean the bike gets occasionally left in the garage? Don't get me wrong, it's hard enough to find a vintage bike that still has decent decals, when you finally do find one that has decals as clean as this one appears the idea of removing them almost seems blasphemous. However, as I recall, the decals on the 89 1000 were not clear coated and there are methods to remove them cleanly. I'd take very good pictures of them however, that way you could have them reproduced in the future if you end up hating yourself for the bad thing you've done.

80's bike, 80's decals. I say leave them.

I know, it's the OP's bike, private property rights, etc. But we're talking about a natural resource here--like a landowner muddying the water for everyone downstream. Maybe not a hanging offense but certainly inconsiderate. The correct solution is to sell the bike in question to someone who can appreciate it and look around for a Miyata that's ALREADY had its original paint job wrecked, and have that one painted or powder coated as desired.
A lot easier said than done, I admit. Give the existing decals some time. Try to get used to them. Tell yourself you're doing it for the good of humanity.;)

Hmmm. I think the decals are pretty nasty. Take em off.

Its a great looking bike from a distance, then you see those awful decals when you get up close.

Edit; Just reread your post with the bit about reproducing the decals.

GO FOR IT!

If the decals are under clearcoat you will not remove them without messing up the paint...no way...no how.

Leave them and enjoy the fine ride...

The decals on that frame are extremely resilient. I doubt they can be removed without refinishing.

I have an 86 Miyata 1000 and I really like the graphics. But if I had yours I would have removed them years ago. Your bike would look magnificent without them and it will still retain its true value. It is a touring bike after all!

I think the decals are nice. Very retro. But I'm a girl (not going to revive the men-on-pink-bikes thread. Noooo...).

I say, remove the TT and DT decals but leave the headtube one. Might end up pretty spiffy.

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Rest assured, I will not be removing the decals.
I'm glad to see so many passionate replies, they make it easy to recognize the value of preserving the original decals, even with the replacement decal set at hand.



It would be both crazy AND stupid.
I don't mean for that to sound harsh, but that's what it would be.
Harsh, but understandably so.




The correct solution is to sell the bike in question to someone who can appreciate it and look around for a Miyata that's ALREADY had its original paint job wrecked, and have that one painted or powder coated as desired.
My Miyata is special to me, and I have no problem with the paint job. I love the original gray finish.




If the decals are under clearcoat you will not remove them without messing up the paint...no way...no how.
I thought about that, but one of the "A's" on the right side is a little curled off, and the paint underneath is unaltered. Thanks for lookin' out though, buldogge.




Just reread your post with the bit about reproducing the decals.
GO FOR IT!
Even with the backup decal set, I'll just leave the original decals be. But thanks for zagging on the zig of opinions!




I have an 86 Miyata 1000 and I really like the graphics. But if I had yours I would have removed them years ago...
Haha, I appreciate your honesty. I'll live, neon pink is a small price to pay for that smooth ride.



I hope I did not come off as someone who does not appreciate their bike, nor understand the concept of preservation, due to his dislike of a decal color. I absolutely love my Miyata and have grown very attached to it. The only thing I've ever wanted to remove were the neon decals. I've also got these vintage bags (http://www.etsy.com/listing/57581919/swiss-army-bicycle-bike-pannier-bag-pair) on the way that I'll be using as rear panniers, which would match better w/ out the neon decals. But in respect to the 1000 LT's reputation and history, I can certainly learn to live with the decals, in all their neon glory. Thank you again to everyone that chimed in and happy riding!

- zem :)

Your bike would look magnificent without them and it will still retain its true value.

Really? Not in my world it wouldn't.

I'm really surpised that there is no apparent clearcoat. Miyata literature mentions clearcoating over decals as far back as 1985 and my experience corroborates this. FYI, you can remove clearcoat and decals without affecting the underlying paint, though it is tedious and leaves a noticeable hole in the clearcoat.

I'm glad to hear you've decide to leave things alone. You've kept it in excellent condition and contrary to the opinion of some members my experience is that changes only negatively affect potential resale value. The graphics were a reflection of the era, specifically the pastel influence of Miami Vice. Being a small size, if you ever decide to sell, there is a large potential resale market of female buyers who may actually find the appearance very appealing.

Removing the decals will depreciate the value of the bike by 25%. Think about all the 'ID my bike with no decal' threads we have on the forum

Leaving 'em be is the right choice, I think, if only because it's hard to tell what the results will be if you try to peel them. Maybe they'd come of cleanly, maybe the result would look hideous, with damaged clearcoat, etc. It's a big risk.
I'm glad you didn't take offense at my "crazy AND stupid" comment. It was well-intentioned but badly expressed. I think it has something to do with my 610, where a previous owner apparently tried to remove the Miyata chro-mo tubing sticker for some reason. Whoever it was scraped through the paint all the way to the steel along one edge before they realized that it wasn't going to come off neatly and gave up. The paint is otherwise great but it looks like hell in that one area.

I understand that our bikes are our property, and we can do what we want...make them what we want...etc...but I think with the higher end, nicer, collectible bikes we also have a duty to the future and to the bike to preserve them. If it's a Schwinn Varsity...or something that there are millions of...I agree it doesn't really matter. For something special, and I think the Miyata 1000LTs qualify, we also have a duty to future owners of the bike. Should we change out bars to make them more comfy? Of course...that can be changed back. Should we modernize parts? Sure...easily changed back. Doing things that are irreversible...like removing decals, powder coating, hacking off braze ons, etc. are doing a disservice to bike collectors of the future.

I know it's an extreme analogy, and not on the same scale, but look at something like the Mona Lisa. At some point someone owned it...it was their property. They had the right, legally, to draw a funny moustache it. However the Mona Lisa is something that is bigger than a temporary owner's property rights. While the analogy is exaggerated and dramatic, I think the point is valid.

Leave the decals, someday you'll appreciate them. The '80's will do that to you.

Scott

You know, some days I miss big hair and leggings.......:D

Top

I've got the same bike and been conflicted about the decals as well. I think they're ugly but in a fun sort of 80's way. Now I'm considering selling my 1000LT and I'm glad I left em on.
It certainly is a smoooooth ride.

It looks like you still have the original Tires on yours :) They're Radial Tires and are a little oddball thing that came on only a few bikes. If you want to read about em check this out link. (http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-644642.html)
Mine still has the radial tires as well and I'm one of the folks who really likes those tires.

my 2 cents. ride that bike and ride it hard. the frame will outlast the components ... replace what you need. the frame will also outlast the paint/decal ... don't bother with new decals when you repaint ... or maybe they'll have grown on on you by then. what i'm saying is, ride it and and don't worry about the way it looks. it's a miyata 1000 ... it's meant to be ridden and ridden hard.

I'm in the proceed with caution camp. I think the "preserve for the future" sentiment is well intended but a bit overstated. I mean, we aren't talking about removing the striping from a Jack Taylor or something.

http://equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197913.pdf

That catalog page shows what my Team Champion looked like out of the box. I had seen lots of Motos in the mid-70's and couldn't believe they had come up with that scheme for their top end bike. I removed the decals before I ever rode it. Do I regret it? Not entirely, although I do wish I'd had the sense to remove the stripes and keep the "Motobecane." At least I still have the hand-lettered parts, though.

BTW, my mother use to cut ex spouses out of family photos. Interesting result.

I'm for keeping them, but because I like them. That little splash of color against a more neutral background is, IMHO, eye catching and cool. Like a colorful tie under a dark suit.

I'm in the proceed with caution camp. I think the "preserve for the future" sentiment is well intended but a bit overstated. I mean, we aren't talking about removing the striping from a Jack Taylor or something.

http://equusbicycle.com/bike/motobecane/1979/moto197913.pdf

That catalog page shows what my Team Champion looked like out of the box. I had seen lots of Motos in the mid-70's and couldn't believe they had come up with that scheme for their top end bike. I removed the decals before I ever rode it. Do I regret it? Not entirely, although I do wish I'd had the sense to remove the stripes and keep the "Motobecane." At least I still have the hand-lettered parts, though.

It was a bit dramatic...and these are machines intended to be used. The other comment about how components and paint are temporary is a very good counter-point to what I said.

I agree that those are quite garish. They'd bug me too, but removing them would be a last resort. You might be able to cover them up with shrink-wrap, or vinyl. Don't know the resulting appearance would be an improvement though.

I agree that those are quite garish. They'd bug me too, but removing them would be a last resort. You might be able to cover them up with shrink-wrap, or vinyl. Don't know the resulting appearance would be an improvement though.

+1 on the decals being tacky. As another possibility for covering them up, there are top-tube bags like these (http://www.retrovelo.de/tl_files/bildmaterial/Seitenbilder/rahmentasche2.jpg). I know a friend who makes them in town (they are smaller than the huge one in the pic), and they work great for carrying things like keys, wallet, phone.

So glad you reconsidered removing them. Personally, I think those graphics look really great, and are absolutely distinctive of the era. You are fortunate to have them be in such fine shape (even if you don't feel so) . Personally I much prefer them over the earlier 80's Miyata font and graphics which were rather dull. I also agree with others that over time with the bike I'd say there is a greater than 50% chance that you'll come to love them.

Keep in mind this from a guy in pursuit of one of those lavendar and yellow Centurion Ironmans, and whose favorite ride is an 89 Miyata 914 that has very similar graphics to yours...

It's your bike. If you don't like the decals, remove them. It's a bicycle, and was designed to be ridden, not hung on a wall like a rare painting.

If you plan to never sell the bike, then I'd say go for it - though even under those conditions it will likely eventually get passed down to somebody else, in which case THEY would never be able to get market value for it.

Up to you, I'd say. If it were me I'd leave it. It looks like a great vintage ride as is.

It's your bike. If you don't like the decals, remove them. It's a bicycle, and was designed to be ridden, not hung on a wall like a rare painting.

Probably not my best analogy.

If you plan to never sell the bike, then I'd say go for it - though even under those conditions it will likely eventually get passed down to somebody else, in which case THEY would never be able to get market value for it.

Up to you, I'd say. If it were me I'd leave it. It looks like a great vintage ride as is.

I have a hunch (and admittedly it's not much more than that) that too much is being made of the market value argument. I would expect that someone looking to buy a Miyata 1000 would be doing so for the ride properties and not for its classic looks or for a "collection." In other words, it would likely be purchased to be ridden, and I don't think most riders would care a great deal whether or not it had the decals. If it were my bike, I'd probably consider removing the top tube and head tube decals. The downtube I'd leave alone, or possibly cut a triangle of white vinyl to stick over the pink.

If you do ever remove them, be sure to take a good set of photographs with a ruler in the frame for reference.

I love the decals.

let the king be a king. let the 80s miyata be an 80s miyata. dig?

I have a hunch (and admittedly it's not much more than that) that too much is being made of the market value argument. I would expect that someone looking to buy a Miyata 1000 would be doing so for the ride properties and not for its classic looks or for a "collection." In other words, it would likely be purchased to be ridden, and I don't think most riders would care a great deal whether or not it had the decals. If it were my bike, I'd probably consider removing the top tube and head tube decals. The downtube I'd leave alone, or possibly cut a triangle of white vinyl to stick over the pink.

If you do ever remove them, be sure to take a good set of photographs with a ruler in the frame for reference.

Possibly - but then without the decals on the bike, part of it's provenance is suspect.

Note that I said it was totally up to him, but that I'd personally leave it.

What a beauty! Please don't remove those decals. These bikes are getting more and more rare....especially in such good condition.....besides, you can't see the decals while you're riding it. In fact, play it up....put some neon orange bar tape on there.

Allan

Don't do it!

Zem,
If I understand correctly, you have a set of decals in hand. My situation - I have owned and loved my '89 LT for 18 years. My frame has accumulated some rust on the bottom bracket and around the cable guides on the top tube. Some decals in not such great shape. It has been my intent for some time to strip the bike clean and have it powder coated to original color. I have been looking into how to get replacement decals made. So, since you have the resource, I would be very interested in getting your help in obtaining a set of decals. Will you let me know how I could get a set and a fair price? can i contact you directly?