Hello everyone! This is my first post on bikeforums, but I've had a lot of fun reading for a while.
This seems to be the most current Miyata 1000 thread, with the added bonus of being about a 1981. I hope nobody minds me reviving it, it's only been a few months...
I picked up a maroon '81 1000 (56cm) yesterday for 200 bucks. Seems like a steel to me! Har har. It is my first touring bike and I intend to do some light touring on it fairly soon. Condition is good--I bought it from a philosophical ex-bike-shop-owner here in Seattle who did a lot of work to it while leaving it intact.
All I've done is pop on my Brooks.
Pics... attempted. Once I post ten times, I guess! It is maroon and the paint is OK. Front and rear rack, I think they are original. Suntour cyclone GT 15 speed, cantis, the works! See Lascaucaveman for the general idea, it's a smaller frame but otherwise very similar.
Off to ride a bit!