maverickfhs

Folks, I am a complete noob and have no clue about bikes, except that I know how to ride a bike.

I have picked up this bike, overall body and rest looks in pretty decent condition. Chain needs some cleaning and brakes are solid. It definitely need tires and tube.

Question, is it a good bike? What is it worth? It's 18 gears.

Thanks and please see attached pictures.

http://imgur.com/a/4vnhG

mstateglfr 

Link doesn't work. Detailed pics of components and whatnot would be best

oddjob2

Recent discussion
http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...n-turismo.html

Nice bike, as shown I typically would buy that bike at $80 +/- 20%. While you can ride it as is, it is begging for a full frame strip to overhaul and clean it, which can run $175-$200 at the LBS plus the tires, tubes, bearings, bar tape, cables, housing, brake shoes, etc., and a new saddle. Or read up here and do the work yourself for about $100 in parts.

maverickfhs

please see if link is working for you:

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

mstateglfr 

Wow, it worked on the 3rd try. odd.

Guessing its an '86 based on the biopace crank, SunTour XC derailleurs, and still having non-aero brake levers. Or an '87...somewhere right around those years.
Canti brakes are a plus. Looks like mounting points for a rack and fenders, which is a selling point for those who would use it as a commuter or for touring. A triple crank is great too.

Whats already been said is all accurate for work.

If I were to sell it, I would replace the brake hoods, cables, cable housing, tear the components all off and clean em, then repack bearings on wheels crank and fork, add new bar tape, and slap a new $10 bike shop bin saddle on. Assuming no issues, I would try to get $260 out of it most likely, and periodically drop the price from there. But that's my market, which seems to have a ceiling on well made 80s road bikes which aren't coveted brands. If tires are old, I would replace those too and adjust the price accordingly.
I would pay up to $125 for the bike in as is condition, assuming there are no alignment issues, but would try for a lot less($75, especially with shot tires) since there will be a good bit of work to clean(when rust is visible from afar that means a lot of cleaning).

If its for you to keep, then in my mind there is a whole lot more wiggle room for it to be 'a deal' since you will be using it. This could be a capable touring bike, day rider, commuter, etc- its versatile which to me adds value. Not having any 'major' repairs also adds value in my mind since it means less struggle and hassle to fix up.
In my size, I would probably be willing to pay $175 or so in current condition since I would do the repairs and updates, which would keep overall costs down to just the replacement prices. For under $300, I would have a really solid touring bike.

As OJ mentioned- a full overhaul would be up to/around $200 at a bike shop. Expensive, but if the bike hasn't been maintained in almost 30 years, it should be. If you aren't able to, someone should.

dailycommute

Looks like a 85 or 86. 84-86 are the best years (imo) for Japanese tourers built to a very high quality, even lesser known models like this are very nice. Likely miyata built though it lacks Miyata 1000 price premium-- If patient it is still worth 200-250 as is, upwards of 350-400 tuned/overhauled. Ebay will get best exposure/price if you need to sell. Otherwise tune it up, put some new tires on there and if it fits you will have a fine example from golden age of Japanese tourers.

oddjob2

^Rusty chainstay knocks value down.

IMHO, more comparable to a Miyata 615, not a 1000.

maverickfhs

Chain has no rust at all, bit dirty. Needs some kerosene oil and chain lubricant and it'll be golden. Actually, I have seen somewhere 'Miyata' stated on the bike.

Do we have any users in DC/MD/VA area, who can lend me a hand to bring this baby back to life?

oddjob2

It is not the chain, but the CHAINSTAY, which is part of the frame that forms the bottom of the rear wheel triangle. While your photos leave something to be desired, it could be a clouded plastic shield rather than the chainstay itself that appears dirty or rusty.

mstateglfr 

Pretty sure the Gran Turismo replaced the Specialissima in '86 or so as their top tourer? I am no Univega expert, but I really haven't seen a Specialissima from the latter half of the 80s...

maverickfhs

Where can I buy it's tires and tubes for cheap? Also, any suggestions for doing all DIY?

oddjob2

Parts: amazon, nashbar, performance bike, sometimes REI.
DIY: google, read, sheldonbrown.com, youtube.

mstateglfr 

Google and Sheldon will answer 98% of your questions within 1 page and 5min of reading. And I don't mean basic questions but most anything that could come up on this bike.
The great thing about this bike is that it is pretty.much universal in terms of components. They are all readily available and there isn't anything quirky that you can't easily fix/adjust.
YouTube is invaluable for visualizing the work when written steps are unclear.

Last is bikeforums. The c&v forum and mechanics forum are incredible resources. Just try to google it yourself first so you don't flood the forums with 'simple' questions. What's great is that google almost always leads you to bikeforums anyways as what you need help/clarification with has probably been asked before.

There are dozens to hundreds of choices for most upgrades(bar tape, tires, etc) and the options can be confusing and lead to paralysis at times. Opinions by users are very subjective, just keep that in mind.

FrenchFit 

You don't want cheap. cheap tires...after all you have to ride the thing unless you intend to flip it. Decent tires make a difference, I like Vittoria Zaffiros on mine.
I have one of these, a clean 84-5 gold frame. I plushed it out with expensive components and wheels/drivetrain, hammered fenders, etc. ...it is a very fine ride now. You can learn through trial and error, or find someone local (or bike church) who knows these mid-80s Japanese bikes and can guide your through rehab process and make good recommendations on how best to spend your money. If money is a key concern you don't want to waste any of it.

zazenzach

mostly agree with oddjob. i just skimmed comments, but the $400 someone quoted is dreamland- even if fully overhauled. this is a mid tier, generic straight gauge cromo frame.

That crappy saddle, whatever is going on with the housing on the downtube, and the general aesthetic dissaray of things bring the value down quite a bit.

maverickfhs

Thanks guys, that's very helpful and I appreciate it. For a beginner and a noob, is it worth spending money on this one or just buy something different?

Phil_gretz

I've restored and sold one Gran Tourismo. It was a 21" frame and we almost kept it for my daughter. The ride was pretty spirited. I don't recall my sale price - maybe in the $275 range? Memory is a bit foggy - I'm remembering Shimano Z Series...so that'd make it in the '84 range, I guess.

For me, as a new rider, I'd keep and work on that bike. It'll do whatever you need it to do, as long as the size is right, Maverick. For tires, I like the Pasela tour guards. They're not expensive at about $30 per tire. You can buy them at Papillon Cycles in Arlington on Columbia Pike.

dailycommute

Check the SN, pretty sure it is a 1986 model which is the best year for this model far superior to other years, triple butted miyata frame, you cannot go wrong if spending some time or money. It will make an excellent all around rider.

mstateglfr 

It all depends on what you want to update/change, what you want to put on the bike as a replacement, and if you intend to keep it or fix up to sell.
As a general answer though- I would say its worth spending money on to keep. Its a standard frame which wont give you any trouble in terms of fitting new components since there are hundreds of options for each component that will fit this bike still.

ramzilla

I completely disagree with the low price quotes above. That bike has cantilever brakes and a nice frame. As-is it could be worth $300 as long as wheels are true no frame problems & everything works.

eschlwc

not where i live.

eschlwc

wow, that's cheap. here, merely a full tune costs $150.

a full overhaul is at least $300. but they won't tape your bars in that price and probably won't overhaul the pedals and rear derailleur.

mstateglfr 

Wow, a full overhaul here is $150. That's adjustments, servicing all bearings, cleaning drivetrain and whole bike, wheel trying, etc.
It doesn't include new cables or install, but that wouldn't cost more than $50 to bring the total to $200.
of course replacement parts will add to it.

$200 for a full overhaul and new cables isn't terrible.
Funny that the same can't be had from the private sale market though.

oddjob2

Biased opinion, look at his signature line ---->100% Japanese roster of bikes!

I figured you lived in dreamland?

eschlwc

seattle, so, yeah.

everything's at least $300. if it's overhauled with pics of the bare frame, $400 is pretty easy to fetch with good pics and a decent craigs ad.

just remove the kickstand first.