David Newton

And it's my size.
So I was doing a little morning ride and I pull up into Charlie's driveway, a guy who has a permanent yard sale. We shoot the breeze about fishing and look at his latest old junk, a tiny 50's drill press and a small brass sledge hammer.
I go deeper into his garage where his vintage fishing rods and reels are, and what do I spy, a 1985 Miyata Seven Ten in crusty original condition. I say "I'll buy this" but he says "If you carry me to Bridge City to look at that old truck, I'll give it to you". OK.

The worst rust, other than the chain, is the lower headset, and some on the drive-side chain stay, but nothing much. Seat post slid right out, haven't removed the stem yet.

My plan? Grind off all the extraneous metal and ride fixed. NOT.

Build it back just as it is, with an eye to some replacement wider rims, possibly a 650b conversion.

Pics to come

David Newton

Pics

mapleleafs-13 

nice frame, price was right too..... should clean up pretty good, looks like light rust on the headset cup, should come out with steel wool, if not then just get a new headset they're cheap nowadays

auchencrow

That's quite a catch, David.

If I'm not mistaken, it came with very nice Ukai rims. You ought to find a use for those somewhere if you go with the 650 conversion.

David Newton

I'll probably clean up that cup up, likely not replace it.
Yes, the Ukai rims are very nice, just a little rust on a few of the ferrules. They are straight and true, no scuffing to speak of on the side walls, the rear spokes could use tuning up.

They are too skinny for fat old me, I'll be looking for something a bit more cushy. Maybe a swap will be in order there. Are there wider 700 rims & tires available?

Same with the bars, as I am an upright rider now.
Very little wear on the entire bike, as seen on the chain rings. It really is a nice bike, I owe Charley another truck ride.

marley mission

i think charlie deserves a few rounds of brew too - nice score david

RobbieTunes

good find, good home for it, you have.

David Newton

It all came apart with no hitches, one brake is missing a barrel adjuster & the cable clamp, and that is all.

The frame is bathing in acid as I type, the lower bones were a little crusty inside.

Oh, it is a 1986...

top506

My '87 512 has pretty much the same paint. Love that steel grey!



Top

David Newton

The catalog page for this bike describes it as "triathlon design".
Is this catalog-speak for a frame with relaxed road-race geometry and a slightly less expensive group of components?

noglider 

Nice story. Once interesting part is that the locality lets Charlie have a perpetual garage sale. Here in my town, we have to buy a permit for a garage sale, the hours are regulated, and we can only have garage sales twice a year.

David Newton

The city tried permitting garage sales years ago, but it failed.
We live in what is considered the poor side of town, no neighborhood restrictions or stuff like that. He doesn't make a nuisance of himself, and keeps his place neat. He buys and sells lawn mowers, bikes, tools, fishing stuff, appliances, etc. He makes a modest living doing it. I would characterize him as a "benevolent wheeler-dealer."

top506

Marketing hype, as far as I can tell. Nice riding bike, though, like all Miyatas.

Top

David Newton

I'm assembling the bike now, I've decided to stay with the 700c wheel size, because of stand-over height.

The wheels are Ukai 700 x 25c hooked rims, what is the largest tire I can run on these, (Panaracer Paselas) am I limited to 25c?

ColonelJLloyd 

I have a set of those too. They look pretty narrow, but with hooked beads I would have no hesitation installing a 700c x 32mm Pasela. It's probably about as wide as a Sun MII-13 or VO PBP.

fender1

FWIW, I run 35mm Vittorias on a set of Mavic Open Pros (read: narrow rims/wide tires) no issues to speak of.

David Newton

Thanks, you guys are great! Just what I need to know.

On another issue, I was surprised to find the bb spindle (stamped "boron") and bearings to be badly pitted. Amazing, considering the small amount of miles this bike has done, from all indications. I was able to chuck up the spindle in my drill press, and using a soft japanese water stone & ground the bearing surfaces smooth. Anyone else save a spindle like this?

bikegeekmn

I haven't ever worked a spindle like that, but, steal is pretty resilient and I can't imagine it would be a problem unless you end up having to remove too much material.
Very nice bike, worthy of any upgrades. Good riding, strong and all the bonuses that come with Miyata (tubing, paint ect.). That color has long been one of my favorites from the catalogs online.
Mine's a blue '83 that ended up with a full tri-colored Shimano 600 group that makes the whole package pretty sweet. The only upgrade I have left is to get an X-type BB with compact gearing in a 165mm. Something may be needed after that but i can't imagine what it'll be.

due ruote 

I dunno, the BB in the 710s I've had have been fine. I have done the drill press thing and it seemed to work, but others on the forum have commented that once you've ground through the hardened surface of the race the final curtain can't be far away. You can always stick an inexpensive cartridge bb in there. That's something that's really nice about these bikes - everything's easy.

Whit51 

David, I think the wheels are fine, but if you upgrade, Sun CR-18s are strong, reasonably light and work with wider tires. Great bike---should zip along at quite a fast clip on those flat roads in Beaumont!

David Newton

The fork is very short. Looks like with the stock wheels & fork crown clearance, the biggest tire I can mount is 28mm, which is what I'm going to try.

David Newton

AE Bike has Panaracer Pacela 700 x 28c for $ 26.99 ea.

Anyone know of a better deal?

fender1

Folding or wire?

wire 700x28 $19.99

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_178263_-1___

ColonelJLloyd 

I suspect the AE price of $26.99 is for a TG model with a wire bead. The Nashbar link is for a non-TG tire.

photogravity

Fork's bent. At least it appears to be. Camera angle maybe?