1986 Miyata 912: what's it worth?
 

I'm considering purchasing a Miyata 912 off craigslist. It's in remarkably good shape, all original Shimano 600 components. The frame is near perfect, only some scuffs on the top tub from a u-lock. The seller is asking $300, but it's set up as a single speed right now, so I'd have to get the crankset and everything put back on. What do you think?

To me that price is about right on (maybe a tiny bit high) for that bike in ready to ride condition. I would get it if you want a single speed but if it was me I would pass on buying it at that price to convert back unless I already had everything I needed lying around. Even then I would try to talk him down.

I would pass as well. $300 is full market price for the bike, in ready to ride condition. Since you want to convert it back to 12 speed, I would not consider it ready to ride.

I really like projects, but only buy them when they are priced that way.

When you say "all original Shimano 600 components" do you mean that the seller has all the original parts they took off when they converted it over to a SS? If so you might be able to recoup some of your cost by converting it back to stock and then selling off the singlespeed parts.

Location is a big determinate on pricing.

If the seller has all of the original parts and you can do the work yourself $300 is on the high end for a 600/ultegra bike but if your the end user and its its in very good condition $300 is the max you should pay.

As treebound mentioned you may be able recoup some of the costs by reselling the SS parts. If the seller builds his SS bikes the way I do that would only be a few bucks for a BMX freewheel.

he is selling it with all the original parts included, including the derailleurs, cassette, shifters, and second chainring. i would just have to put everything back on. i am in portland, oregon btw.

I had an '86 and it was really great but too small. Is it the pink and black colour scheme? I think that $300 is too high since it is not set up with gears but if he were to go to $250 and the bike is in great shape then yeah, get it.

Miyata 912 too much?
 

I'm in Portland and saw that ad too. I have an '81 912, all original shimano 600 arabesque, and I paid $300 for it last summer. I think it is $50 too much based on prices I have seen around Portland, but I would not sell it now for less than $600 because it is my favorite ride! I am looking for another in fact, in so-so condition and cheap, to strip down and convert to modern 10-speed STI and use as a winter bike. I thought about doing that to mine, but it is just too nice a ride to *******ize. As previously mentioned, if you are buying it to ride then do it, and sell off the single-speed components. If you are not a "do it yourself guy", I would be happy to switch over the components for you in my garage, in exchange for the single-speed parts. Or if you get stuck with the project and need help, I can lend a hand. Whatever you do, I think you will love the bike, it has a great balance of ride qualities.

thank you all for your helpful comments. i bought the bike for $280, and he threw in a brand new saddle and two water bottle cages. "van biker": i believe the only components left from the SS setup will be the rear cog (if i'm naming that correctly) and the chain. the front chain ring was from the original geared setup. i would be happy to sell it to you, though.

also, i can post some pics of it once the gears are on.