smp330

My ex left this and it has been sitting around for 10 or 15 years. It doesn't look in the best of shape, but I don't know how easily these clean up. I see high values for some - what do you think it's worth, as is? (I know nothing of bikes and dont' want to mess with it.) 1986 Miyata 912, don't know serial number because I can't find it!

TugaDude

The 912 was/is a very nice bike, but unfortunately that one has signs of surface rust. Looks to have been left in the rain and not cared for. Still, it is repairable. The chain is toast probably. The rest isn't too bad, but in the condition as it sits, probably $100.00 to $150.00 or so. The Shimano 600 group on it is desireable and seems to be in decent condition. The FD looks to be rusty, but the RD and cranks are fairly nice.

tugrul

It also seems to have picked up Suntour bar end shifters at some point.



It's nice, but it's a project, TugaDude is right on.

Beach Comber

Thats a project I would not mind taking on this winter. If you are located anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic or New England area, email me through the forums and we can talk.

smp330

Thanks for the quick feedback, everyone. Beach Comber: I'm not sure how to navigate this forum in order to email you. I live near Erie, PA (northwest corner.) I have more pics if needed. I also have 2 Vetta Trainers from the 80's - does anybody use those anymore?

Thanks!

rekmeyata

You posted this on another forum. The pics are not real good to see the actual condition of the bike, but if in excellent condition between $1,000 and $1,200, in fair about $400 to $500.

smp330

You must be thinking of someone else. I've never posted anything about this bike anywhere else. I pulled it out of the garage only last week (been hanging in there 11 years...) I have a lot more pics if it helps with condition. And where do you find the serial number? How do you measure frame size?

smp330

It looks rough to me, but I don't know what can be salvaged or made to look new again and what is toast. Here are more pics - I didn't know what exactly to show so I tried to take pictures of everything. Some are with the bike upside down because I was looking for the serail number. I still can't find it. I just know the year my ex bought it (1986.) Let me know if there are more details I can show for more accurate value. Thanks.

tugrul

I don't know what his agenda is. Or where he is hiding these buyers.


It looks like it needs a lot of elbow grease... which will never be rewarded at market rates in the final value of the bike. Somebody will just have to clean it up and ride it.

smp330

Thanks Tugrul. Can you at least tell me how to know which frame size it is so I can advertise it correctly? The catalog mentions 5 sizes from 50cm to 63. And where to find the serial #? I've googled trying to find that info but no instructions show up for someone who knows nothing about bikes! Its always assumed you know this basic stuff......

wrk101

To check size, just grab a tape measure. Google bike sizing, its explained very well. Wikipedia, YouTube, etc., all show you how. Serial number is not needed for any sale, nor does it affect the value in any way. Its a 1986 Miyata 912.

A better investment of time would be to make sure seat post is not stuck and give the bike a gentle cleaning with dawn dish washing detergent or similar.

Regardless, bike needs a lot of work, but once the work is done, someone will have a nice bike. I've never seen one of these in great condition go for $1,000, or anything close to that. The $100 figure for the bike in its present condition is more realistic, maybe $150 in a super hot market.

tugrul

I like this diagram in the early Trek catalogs. A & D (seat tube "size", and top tube center to center) are the ones most people are looking for.

There's been some confusion as to whether the sizes in the Miyata catalog are center to center or center to top for the seat tube.

tmh657

+1. If I saw this listed at $100 I would probably take it on as a project. I have found the Miyata STB frame and fork to be desirable by riders that know about it. If it happened to be my size it would be a keeper. I have sold a couple of 9 series Miyatas that were too small and they rode great, not the lightest bike but a very solid feel.

Too bad you are in PA It looks fairly large with the head tube size but not quite big enough for me.

rekmeyata

Your right, there is another poster that bought a bike very similar to yours, same paint scheme, same model, but there were some subtle differences which I didn't recall till I found the post at: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...2#post12804652 and compared the two bikes, their a slightly different size, different handlebar tape and different shifters. Obviously the close comparison by memory made me think it was yours.

But those are nice bikes, but yours is rough probably worth around $200. But you could get it professionally repainted on the low end for about $250, plus $75 for decals, plus shipping and disassemble and assembly by either you or your LBS, plus taking all the rust off the components or replacing them. So the cost could wind up being a lot more unless your handy at all the above stuff I mentioned. You could easily dump $1000 into it and the bike be worth just that. Or ride it as a beater. I've seen old classic cars in a great deal worse condition then that bike when looked at you think it's toast, but to the eye of a restorer it's a diamond in the rough.

smp330

Thank you for your help, everyone. That diagram really helped! Now I have a better idea of what I have and what to ask for it ~ just what I was after. I will list it locally on Craigslist - if anyone on here is interested, pls let me know. As a matter of interest to some...I checked our Erie,PA Craigslist and there is a Miyata 1000 listed and its looks beautiful (compared to my 912) and from what I have learned from your site, that's a desirable bike :-) I was suprised to find any Miyata on there since our market is so small here, so maybe I might actually be able to sell mine.

Happy Riding to y'all !

GentlemanGeorge

Have you determined the size yet? I'm in NE Ohio and I'd be willing to check it out if it were my size. Plus it gives me an excuse to check out Presque Isle again.

smp330

GentlemanGeorge: I think it is the 57cm frame...I measured the 2 tubes and they were 22 and 23 inches...It was a quick measure and I'll get a more exact one tomorrow with something that has actual cm's on it. I work in NE Ohio (Ashtabula) so if you are interested, that should be easy to set up! But then you'd still have to come and revisit Presque Isle - too beautiful to pass up a bike ride there.

GentlemanGeorge

Your initial measurements confirmed my suspicions, the bike is too small for me.

For a quick sale follow wrk101 advice to price around $100.00, give an honest representation of its condition, and highlight some of the positives (Shimano 600 components, cromoloy frame, 700c alloy wheels...) and lots of pictures wouldn't hurt either. Good luck!

smp330

Oh well. Hopefully it will fit somebody in my area. Thanks again for all the good help on this forum. On to Craigslist to sell....