eastbay71

I like to search eBay for all things listed under cycling that are used and ending soonest for less than however much I can spend. From there I try to find things that are mis-listed and have zero bids. That's how I came across a very sweet '92 Shimano 600 Tri-Color groupset in near new condition. It seems like it was used on a trainer bike indoors. The set was complete with 8 speed bifters, a Mavic wheelset w/ Shimano hubs and QR skewers, front and rear brakes, crankset, headset, bottom bracket, front & rear derailleurs, (too big) seat post and cassette. For the astounding price of $300.00. I knew right away that I wanted to use it on the '87 Miyata 912 frame I had recently picked up for a winter project.

The frame was kind of a mess. It was very dirty and had some rust inside the top tube where the cables are routed through. I wet sanded the whole frame with soapy water and 600 grit to clean up all the dirt and knock down the chips and scratches. I clear coated the frame to preserve the remaining finish and repainted the fork glossy black. I used Eastwood Metal Prep to clean out all the tubes and then sprayed Eastwood Internal Frame Coating inside all the little holes in the frame. The applicator tube worked on the larger tubes. I had to use the red straw from a WD-40 can to get the seat stays.

The pedals, handlebars and stem were from my parts bin.(see above eBay searching addiction) I'm still waiting on the proper seatpost, cables, bar wrap and a chain before I can ride it but it looks like I'll be snowboarding this winter instead of building bikes. Then again I did just pick up an All City Mr Pink frame set...

garyus

Well in some parts of the 48 old man winter got an early start. So I'd say your right on time. Nice group of parts for a classic Miyata.

oddjob2

I just bought one in my size last week, thanks to @mrv's posting. Nice road bike at a great deal, recently tuned or overhauled. I haven't had a chance to ride it yet and do a close up inspection.

mikemowbz

These are nice bikes. I have an 85 or 86 (in the black-and-strawberry-ice-cream-pink colorway), that I picked up from johnwvara in VT, and which is now in storage in Québec with my girlfriend's parents. Nice, well-built bike; steady, comfortable and suitably stiff.

Always struck me as a perfect point on the spectrum - more than nice enough to deliver a great ride and look good doing it, not quite one I'd be paranoid about locking up when out and about (plus it's got fender eyelets!) Brilliant everyday ride. I must now scheme on how to get mine out to the West Coast soon...

bane

Hey I've got one too! Great bikes.

1987 Miyata 912 by PeterDSims, on Flickr

eastbay71

Man it might be hard for me to sell it then. I will ride it until spring when bikes are more in demand and decide at that point

eastbay71

@oddjob2 & @bane those bikes look like giants compared to mine!

jjhabbs 

Though I do not own a Miyata...I would like a team or a pro..on my hit list. However. When I sold Miyata in the 80s they had the best Japanese frames! They were stiff and responsive. If someone was over a 54cm frame and wanted something for climbing any frame above the 710 or 712 was GREAT! Best frames for the money then.

eastbay71

And she's done! I wrapped the bars and took it out for a ride around the neighborhood tonight. I need to shorten the steer tube by about 3/8" so I can assemble the headset properly. The bike was smooth and responsive and faster then any of my other bikes. On my first ride the bike seemed too small but after some adjustments it felt much better. I'll have to put some mileage on it before I know for sure.

oddjob2

Nice build! Worth a spot in your permanent fleet, but of you do sell it, let us know how you did.

Enjoy riding it.

Dfrost 

I'd be very cautious about shortening the steerer tube. That can't be undone! Headset spacers work fine, and preserve the option for a taller headset and stem later.

I'm curious about the seatpost diameter. My '79 912 needs a 26.8mm, but this was before the triple-butted Miyata tube frames.

bane

Seatpost size for the 1987 912 is 26.8mm per the catalog and matches my frame. https://www.miyatacatalogs.com/2007/1...alog-1987.html

Speaking of seatposts, that shimano 600 seatpost is beaut and the rest of the build is sweet too.

mstateglfr 

Nice build- what brifters are those? And good work matching the fork color to the bike.


My 912 is my favorite bike by far for road and paved trail use.