Classic & Vintage - 1984 Miyata 912 question

Hi all, i'm new to this forum. I just bought a nice 1984 miyata 912 at a thrift store. I saw in the spec sheet it in the catalog was supposed to have a "600ex" rear deraileur but mine has a suntour mark-2 from the 710 model below it. I want to match components but I have no idea what to buy. Can anybody help me out? Thanks

I saw a picture of another '84 912 with one like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Shimano-600-Rear-Road-Bike-Derailleur-old-hetchins-colnago-/260909397777?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbf697711#ht_500wt_1195 that just said "shimano 600" instead of sis or other things on it. It also looks like in the catalog picture it it just says "shimano 600"

I think you'll get better responses if you spell it Miyata, like the decal says. So..you are looking to downgrade from a Mark-II to a Shimano 600? Since I responded first, you want to send that nasty old Mark-II to me?

Thanks for the response and spell check. I don't really care if they match as long as the suntour is equal or better than a 600.

The New Shimano 600EX and SunTour Cyclone Mk II are roughly equivalent derailleurs though the latter shifts better due to the slant parallelogram and is lighter. If you're looking for an exact replacement, the Ebay derailleur is correct. The model number you're looking for the Shimano New 600EX rear derailleur (friction version) is RD-6207. Of course that assumes the gearing is original or the large cog is not above 28T. If it's larger, you'd need the long cage RD-6207-GS. If you or the seller aren't sure, the model numbers are stamped on the back of the parallelogram's rear arm.

Want something that matches? +1 6207 on ebay.

Lots of fans of the pre-indexed Suntour derailleurs out there, including me. Cyclone is a good model.


Terrific score to find a bike of that caliber in a thrift store by the way!

I just bought a nice 1984 miyata 912 at a thrift store.

Welcome to the forum. Many Miyata fans here.

Please post some pics of your bike. We like pics.

A few pics before my first test ride. The only things I have done is a quick cleaning, removed all reflectors, clean and greased and adjusted everything except bottom bracket(didn't buy bb tools yet), pumped up tires(they are pretty crusty on the gum part but look near new tread wise), new bontrager gel cork bar tape, new zefal saddle, new chain (old original one is really gunked up) I love it! Rides like butta. Now just have to figure out this cup and cone bottom bracket.. and some seat adjustment. It doesn't look bad for almost 30 years old! thanks all for the replies

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... pumped up tires(they are pretty crusty on the gum part but look near new tread wise...

Nashbar may have Panaracer Pasellas for $12 (20% off when you spend $50), which is well worth it...just need a few extra items to throw in the order. You can also check out Niagara Cycle Works for Kenda gumwalls for as low as $7. You can wait on it, but investing in new tires is well worth it...especially when they are reasonably priced. BTW, I really like the "no exchange" line on the price sticker. If it fits, definitely a keeper.

wow. congrats. quite a score.

Burn that Zefal saddle.

The rest of the bike looks grand.

I paid $225 for mine and thought i was stealing it. I absolutely loved mine and sold it like an idiot.

Keep yours and enjoy! The 912 was one step below the top and i think the only difference was the components.

I've got a saddle that's nicer than that, matches the bike to a "T," and yours as a welcome to the forum present.
I'll send you a PM with my email.

Thanks again for the saddle RobbieTunes looks great!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/93geometro/Picture486.jpg

I am also missing a cap on the end of my mks esquartz 102 pedals..here is a pic of the one I have left..anybody know if the mks "sylvan" series caps fit? its the only caps I could find or any other source? or diy solutions? thanks

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/93geometro/sylvan-dust-cap-fits-sylvan-touring-and-quill-pedals-IMG2239.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/93geometro/Picture489.jpg
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I'm 98% certain they'll fit. Maybe someone else can fill in the remaining 2%. Great score on the bike btw.

Thanks for your input due ruote

freewheel fun

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$24.99 for a freaking Miyata 912!!! Deal of the year!

a little update..new tires,tubes,front and back lights,cane creek hoods


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25 bucks - good score!

I think you set your brake levers a bit low on the bar

I was just thinking that they were low..is this more like what it should be? forgive me I am new to road bikes

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/93geometro/5394714699_2b0eec0a06_o.jpg

Yes, that is what they should look like. The easy way to get them even is to tape a ruler to the lower part of the drop so that it extends forward and put the brake lever so that the tip touches the ruler. You can make it higher or lower for personal preference, but that gives you a starting point. This is a picture from Park Tools site: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/recording-position-road

Very very nice find. You should remove the freewheel from the wheel, rather than overhauling it on the hub. Can't imagine how you're even able to grip it. It requires a $8 tool, that a bike shop can usually lend you. Definitely check Sheldon Brown and the Park Tool websites for essential mechanical and repair information.

You've already got Shimano 600 group stuff; crank, shifters and possibly front D, but since it's all friction, the Cyclone will work fine. Was gonna suggest index shifting, but those came a few years later and you'd need more to make it work.

I just picked up the same year/model on craigslist for $150. The guy selling it used to race in '80s and his wife was making him clear garage space, so some of his bikes had to go. It's all original except for Nitto bars and some really junky pedals that he threw on so I could test ride it. I'm thinking about getting some MKS Sylvans. Any other suggestions?
So far though, it is a really sweet bike, and at 60cm fits me a little better than the other bikes I have.

The old 600ex freewheel the tool is only available one place I've found and would be around $15 shipped. The suntour two prong will not work without mods. The shop I go to does not carry the specific one I need it and they said it's not available from shimano. I had no problems with it still on the wheel I actually enjoyed the job. thanks to all for comments and suggestions.

Super price on a great bike. You'll find many Miyata fans here at Bike Forums, so you're in good company.

For not a whole lot of money, you can buy a replacement freewheel in 5 or 6 speeds. I find you can renew the performance of freewheels and freehubs by using chain lube around the outer seal and rotating them backwards to work it in. Clean the dirt off first, or some of it will migrate into the racheting mechanism.

I got my 1988 63cm 312 new on clearance for a little over $300 in 1991. It's two sizes too big for me, but at over 26 lb and a little stretched out it still rides quite well, like a French fit sport tourer. It's a keeper, but I've modernised some of the components from the original Exage biopace drivetrain and Araya wheels, to Sugino touring triple x 8 speed Sora and Mavic wheels. That's part of the fun with these - you can modernise them as much or as little as you want, because most of the components are modular and interchangeable.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/3750/1988miyata312001.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/403/1988miyata312001.jpg/)
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3107/1988miyata3120128201200.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/406/1988miyata3120128201200.jpg/)

I like it so much I decided to build a new old stock frameset of their 1992 Team racer. At 58cm it's my size, and just over 20 lb with newer Dura Ace 7700 components, it rides like a racer should. I don't even want to suggest what it cost me - a couple people here know. Just like the 312, it has the build quality and attention to detail that Miyata is regarded for throughout their lineup.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2933/1992miyatateam012820120.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/99/1992miyatateam012820120.jpg/)

Miyata holds the trademark as Japan's first bicycle manufacturer. You will also find that the late 70's thru early 90's Japanese-built Univegas are actually contract built by Miyata. And Miyatas have been in Europe since the late 70's under the guise of Dutch designer, cycle builder, and racing team, Koga-Miyata.

For $25, sttlesks, you got a smokin' hot deal. Even if you spend lots of time riding and put big mileage on it, as long as you take care of it, your great grand children will likely still get plenty of service from that bike many years from now.

Nice bikes suburban grind. I had no idea what it was when i bought it, but it just looked like a quality bike. i really like the look of modern components on nice old frames.

freewheel fun

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GREAT SCORE!

Ohh I've played that game before. Lot more fun playing with all those bearings then I was expecting.

Hope you used a very light grease or just oil on the dogs. Heavy grease will make then skip.

Welcome to the forum.

Moved the levers..I like it much better like this

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/93geometro/Picture481.jpg