RunoutJunkie

Hello all,

I bought this bike in 1992 for $275, and have ridden it often, taken care of it myself, and it still is a kick to ride. It's stiff, smooth, and rock solid. The brakes are a bit unnerving when compared to modern calipers on modern wheels on my other bikes, but i've pretty much left this bike original, except the seat (and tires of course). I even rode the Seattle To Portland this year on it, for fun.

By original, i mean it still has all the factory componentry when made in Japan. All Shimano 600 EX (SIS rear), brakes and levers, spindles, everything.

Part of me wants to keep it pristine, and another part of me considers upgrading the components and wheels, because the frame is a perfect fit for my 6', 195lb frame.

Input welcome, and thanks. This is my first post here.

1986 Miyata 912

modernfuturist

I have been looking for a Miyata 912 for awhile as well...

Just for reference, a guy in LA upgraded his 1987 or 1988 Miyata 912 and it looks like this now.

spats

The Miyata 912 is a very nice bike. I have been watching a lot of the prices on eBay for the different Miyata series and personally I would put a 912 at $900 BIN with the best offer option. They seem to sell pretty well on there. It is the end of the season now, so you may not see as high of prices. Definately a good buy.

531phile 

$900 sounds way too much for a 912. (maybe if it looked like that upgraded black bike which I placed in my bike porn collection)

It sounds like it is used so $250-$300. If it was in mint condition $450 max.

RunoutJunkie

Yes, i agree. $900 is way too much for it. If i sold the entire bike as a unit, maybe $400-$500, and that's in pristine shape. My miyata is in better than good, but not great, and nowhere near excellent, which would pull $500 from someone who appreciated well built, 25yo bikes.

Just as an FYI for the board, there is a marginal looking '86 Miyata Pro for sale in San Luis Obispo, CA, and here is the link, in case some of you are interested. I don't know about those butt ugly shifters on the bars, but it does look like a fair bike. $275 seems like it's a fair price for it.

auchencrow

RunoutJunkie - Hello and welcome to C&V.

Just to offer my two cents, I recognize that the brakes are a little unnerving (compared to modern brakes) but I would be inclined to leave it in original condition anyway. As you said, you rode it to Seattle "for fun" so there is a good possibility you are having fun with it as it is, so why change it, especially when you apparently have other bikes with new stuff on them?

I would be much more inclined to preserve the beauty of your old classic.

If you DO opt to alter it anyway, please don't do anything you can't reverse and preserve the original parts for posterity.
(... As with anything of permanence or "objet d'art", I tend to think of them as "on-loan" for our lifetime at most, and that they ought to be preserved and maintained for future generations. )

... Speaking of maintenance - are you using fresh new brake shoes? - specifically Kool-Stops (R) ? They make quite a difference.