dsavard

I picked up this Miyata 912 today from a shop in a rural part of my town. I think it's a late 80s model, special edition, as the pink and black colors have been reversed. Can anyone help me determine the exact year built?

mikemowbz

Neat. If they simply reversed the colors for the 'special edition', I seem to recall that the ice-cream-pink & black 912 scheme as 1985 (or '86?), or thereabouts at least.

I have one, '85 or '86 with the standard paint scheme...locked up my girlfriend's parents' shed a couple thousand kilometers away. Nice bike.

Date codes on the parts? Shimano 600?

wrk101

Google miyata serial number bike forums.net. There is a long thread on deciphering Miyata serial numbers. Easy to date.

Velocivixen

Look on this site for catalogs by year. Also search "Miyata serial number database" & look at the code under the bottom bracket. I didn't see any in your color from 1984-1987, so not sure.

Miyata Bicycle Catalogs

dsavard

Shimano 600 SIS, I guess according to the catalogs that would place it as either 86 or 87. Funny because the 86 has the reverse paint job, but the 87 has the 600 SIS as opposed to EX. Anyways, thanks for the links! I'll check out that serial number link.

Velocivixen

Here's part of a relevant thread.

Here's a little more on the serial number taken off the MiyataSpecTour Yahoo groups site.
George
SLO, CA






<<<<<The M1000s have a serial number stamped on the bottom of the bottom
bracket, right next to the plastic shift cable guide. It is a two-
letter and five number code. I have only figured out that the first
letter determines the model year of the bike. Hence, serial numbers
determine the age of the bike. Here is the code:


1991 = T
1990 = S
1989 = R
1988 = Q
1987 = P
1986 = O
1985 = N
1984 = M
1983 = L
1982 = K
1981 = J

rhbroad

Anyone ever figure out what the story is on these bikes? I just picked up what looks to be the same rare beast, reversed paint scheme, 600 SIS group and all. This one's serial number is OA42xxx, which should point to the 1986 model year, but of course the SIS group came a little later and oh, that paint job! Perhaps this is some sort of exotic 1986.5 special easter egg issue?

I tried to post a photo but it looks like I still haven't reached the 10 posts threshold yet... hopefully I'll be able to add one shortly. In any case, she needs a good bath and a bit of help in the wardrobe department (seat/bars/pedals/tires/shifters), so it looks like I now have my winter restoration project cut out for me.

Any info, wild theories, or resto/mod suggestions are welcome!

T-Mar

The serial number indicates that the frame was manufactured during the first two weeks of 1986. Shimano upgraded New 600EX with SIS in the autumn of 1985, for the 1986 model year. The graphic design with three thin bands near the top of the seat tube were also unique to 1986. So, everything points towards 1986.

Regarding the reversed paint scheme, - pastel coloured, Miami Vice influenced liveries were in vogue at the time, particularly among triathletes. Given that triathletes were the target market for the 912, Miyata may simply have realized that they would be more "trendy' and could generate more sales by reversing the paint scheme. This would appeal particularly to the large influx of female triathletes that the sport was experiencing at the time.

rhbroad

Fascinating stuff, thanks for the insights T-Mar. Yes it’s pretty amazing to think of the huge cultural impact that shows like Miami Vice could sometimes have. I was just barely a teenager back in ‘85/86 and was yet to discover road cycling, but I vividly recall the pastel colours and fashion of the era... sigh.

What about the serial number points to being produced in the first two weeks of ‘86? I’m aware of the fact that the first letter is the year code, but I didn’t realize that there was more info that could be gleaned.

I still find it rather interesting that they decided to flip the paint scheme for some bikes. I wonder how many of these were produced compared to the standard scheme, and also if there were any other Miyata years/models that experienced similar treatment...

T-Mar

In 1984 Miyata's annual production was set to exceed 1,000.,000 bicycles. Rather than increase the serial number by one character, they decided to drop one numeral and replace with an 2nd alpha character to indicate the fortnight. This change was instituted in late 1984 at the beginning of 1985 model production. Since your 2nd alpha character is an "A", it was manufactured during the first fortnight (i.e. weeks 1-2) of the year.

TiHabanero

Worked at a Miyata dealer during the 80's and sure wish we had ordered in the SE model, just for the paint! We had a San Rensho that was pink, and were jazzed on the pink Miyata, but nope, only the black on pink was brought in. The San Rensho was a real beauty, too!

rhbroad

Aha interesting, thanks. I also note that they started stamping the SN "sideways" (with the frame size below it) around this time. All my 1985 and earlier Miyatas use the "across the BB" SN orientation, while this '86 912 and my '89 Team use the "around the BB" orientation. Having the frame size definitively stamped in is an appreciated feature, since actual measurements can sometimes be unclear/inconvenient.

I love all this nerdy Miyata history stuff.