markwebb

Lasst nite I received my Miyata 610 I bought on eBay. It has some problems.

It was described as near-perfect and ready to ride in the description. The seller has 100% positive feedback. But it has issues:

1) Both drop out screws were bent at almost 90 degree angles. I had to saw them off with dremel tool. I was able to remove 1, but the other I can't remove. It's bend was up against frame, so it's likely It may have an ever so slight bend still in it. I can't grab onto it very well and try and turn, as the phillips is kinda striped to begin with.
2) The drive side dropout is bent or out of shape or something - it ws next to impossible to get the rear wheel in place. It's just not well aligned when wheel is in place and it was really tough to get wheel into dropouts.
3) The rear hub/ freewheel wobbles. The freewheel looks like it's floating as it wobbles irregularly. Not sure if it's hub or freewheel issue. It's tight/it's not loose.
4) The front brake cable has a kink/bend. No biggie - I can replace the cable. But it was described as near perfect ready to ride. But you can't ride it with the kink - it's right near the housing.
5) Not sure - as this is the first Miyata I have seen -but paint seems to have white overcast to it (it's the burgandy red Miyata color). It almost looks like dust in some places, but it won't wipe off. Almost like it was near someone spray painting and the particles in air kinda coated the bike. Is that a normal Miyata burgandy color feature - kinda like swhite parkles or pearl - or is it supposed to be solid dark burgandy red.

I have bought/sold lots of bikes via eBay. I received two other bikes with undisclosed issues before, but most transactions are great. This is not a knock on eBay. The seller may also not have noticed these issues - not sure I want to blame them, considering they have 100% positive feedback on lots of prior sales.

I'll appreciate your feedback on the color and also how to remove the one dropout screw. I may just sell it - other than these issues there are no problems. If anyone want to buy it just PM me. I paid around $380 shipped, but without knowing about these issues. I like to ride and I know bikes but I'm not super-mechanical, and I'm not in NoCal or SoCal where there are tons of good local bike repair resources.

infinityeye

1) bent in shipping?
2) is the wheel original? It may be the wrong size spacing jammed in there.
3) please clarify if you can

avenan

Those things get bent all the time -- especially in shipping. Can you grab on to the screw head with a set of need nose pliers? Turn the screw clockwise to expose more of the thread on the backside of the dropout. If you see bending, cut it off, and then CAREFULLY file off any burrs or abnormalities. Then grab again with the needle noses, and turn the screw out. If you have a hard time grabbing with the pliers, you can dremel flats on the sides of the screw.

raverson

What a disappointment, and I feel for you. But all is not lost and these issues can be sorted out one at a time to get that bike back into shape.

As for the seller, I would try to document all the issues and then seek reparations of some kind.

1)Is there enough of the screw left to lock a vise grip onto? You might be able to back it out that way without it twisting off inside the dropout. A drop of penetrating oil probably wouldn't hurt to loosen it up.

2)Have you examined the dropout up close with the wheel off? Have you visually checked it from behind the frame? For various reasons, sometimes wheels don't slide into a frame as easily as it would seem, could this be the case?

3)This could possibly be a bent axle, although I've replaced bent axles with new one and in some cases still noticed a slight amount of movement. When you say its tight, are you refering to the wheel being mounted tight?

5)My 610 has alot of silver metalflake sparkle in the red paint, but the paint is smooth and clear and doesn't have any clouding or dustiness to it. Does your paint feel smooth to the touch? Does it look better or worse in bright sunlight?

USAZorro

#2 - Is the opening in the dropout a little too narrow, or is the wholedropout twisted? If it's too narrow, all you need to do is wedge a sturdy cold steel chisel into the dropout opening, and carefully widen it just enough so that the axle fits in without catching. I've had this happen on a few bicycles that I've owned. It always seems to be the drive side, and on bikes that were shipped. Perhaps they just experience some forces during shipment that does this.

If the dropout is twisted, see if your LBS has the proper tools to straighten the frame. Many do. It will cost you, but it shouldn't be more than about $30.00.

#3 is not at all uncommon. Many freewheels do this to some extent - some just do it more than others. If it's so bad that it bugs you, replace the freewheel and see if it isn't better.

miamijim

I agree. Screw it in so it extends out the back of the frame as far as possible. You may be able to cut off more of the 'bend'. Sounds like the box may have been dropped.

Dropouts....sounds like the box may have been dropped.

Brake cable. Depending on the height of the stem thats just the way some of those were. Low stems heights necessated a 'kink' to get the cable into the hanger.

Paint. Try using an automotive clay bar with a 'quick detailer' type spray. Miyata are know for super durable paint finishes. You color, when properly cared for, will have a very deep shine.

Freewheel. Sounds normal.


I wouldnt bother with pursuing actions against the seller. Once you sign for it your accepting the condition of the bike as it pertains to shipping.

markwebb

The drop out screw head is striped, so it cannot be easily turned. I am going to remove the spring and then try grabbing the screw with neednose pliers and moving it out. Then I can saw off more of it/remove burrs/reverse. Left side head was in better shape.

I can easily get the dropouts straightened.

You guys are right about not laying it on seller. I may advise him in future to pack bikes with rear wheels on. He took it off/thus exposing rear to being dropped. Even when fedex delivered they had it upright with dropouts facing the ground, so I imagine that's how screws got bent. The drive side of box also had a large tear/cut so I imagine the dropout could have also been bent in shipping.

infinityeye

file a claim with fed "sucks" ex. they may give you 100 bucks (max they insure C&V for!!)

markwebb

well.....I have already removed one of the screws. If I can get other one out and no damege to threading on frame I am OK. I'm not sure I could file a fedex claim now, since I have tried to repair damage.

miamijim

something try....this is very very risky.

1. tape out the drop out with several layers on masking tape.
2. Grind off the stripped screw head with a dremel type tool
3 unscrew towards the back of the bike.

markwebb

If I can get in there with needle noses and turn the stripped-out screw head and back it out enough to chop off more of the bent part, then I should be able to reverse it and get it out. To get it out far enough I'll rip off the spring, first.

markwebb

I can't get that screw out.

Since bike is a little more work all around than I expected, I just listed it on eBay.

The original seller is a very nice fellow and we're talking about some reimbursement. I think he honestly did not know, or else it happened in shipping. I just want to break even.

I listed it with a BIN for $180 less than what I paid. Thems the breaks.

bigbossman 

Just wondering out loud - how about stripping it and fishing for another frame to hang all the stuff on?

markwebb

That's an option.