Koga Miyata w/ Shimano 400 EXAGE. 1988?
 

Hello all,

I bought a Koga Miyata yesterday for €75. As far as I know, it has:

Cr-Mo FM-1 STB (Spline Triple Butted) tubing [frame]
Hi-Manga HM-2 [fork]
52/42 Biopace chainring
7 speed casette (?)
Shimano 400 EX (Exage)
- Brakes Levers&Calipers
- Derailleur
- Shifters
- Cranks
- Hubs

The bike has very little rust. The chain is old and the components need a bit of a go-over. It feels really light to me. Then again, I have never owned a modern race bike. The pedals are wrong, as I do not have cycling shoes. I need to change them back to normal ones with cages. Any idea what the ones that are equipped could be worth? I also want to change the bar tape to something with more padding, but that is cheap enough to do.

Below is a link to the album with pics of the bike.The link below that, are the specs from www[dot]miyatacatalogs[com] for 1988 Miyatas. Now I know that Koga-Miyata is the Dutch imported bikes, so it is very possible the Miyata catalogs are not necessarily exact in comparison to Koga-Miyata imported models. My problem is that I can't be certain what model my Miyata is. On the frame, it is written "Granspeed". This returns nothing by way of Google except for ad listings for bikes on sale. I have looked through the catalog, and the 1988 312 (in the second link below) is what most closely matches my own specs. When I bought the bike, the guy said that the "blades" were the only non-original part. For fear of seeming like a complete idiot, I pretended to understand what he meant. Do any of you have an idea?

I would like to know the following:
Can anyone identify this Miyata and tell me the year and model?
What parts should I look to upgrade (quality-wise)? I am not too fussed about keeping it original, but I don't want to overdo it either.
I am aware that my chain has cracks in the links. I am looking to fix that a.s.a.p.
I rode it back from the point of purchase, 30kms on flat terrain (Holland). 2/3s of the way in my lower back started to hurt (I was also carrying a backpack). Is this just a question of adjusting the stem and saddle? Or perhaps my technique..?

I really love this bike, it is just so beautiful to me. That rich purple just does so much for me. And it rides really nice too. I just need to adjust the fit. It is a 60cm frame and I feel like that is just one size too big.
Do you think I did well for this price, overall?

The links I spoke of:

http://imgur.com/a/v6QTP#1
http://imgur.com/oKiHYbw

Thank you all for taking the time to read my novel.
I will be signing autographs at the school auditorium tomorrow morning.
:D

Koga Miyata has had its own model range, as it emphasized on selling only the top models in each range. Miyata itself had much more different qualities on offer.

The complete range of Koga Miyata brochures can be found here.

And on you other question: replace the chain, buy a new 7 speed cassette [they are sold here, plus a chain wip & cassette removal tool as well], some platform pedals, and you're all set for 50 euros.

Adjusting to the bike takes a bit more time.

1988 is far too old for 400EX, which was manufactured 1990-1994. The only year that Koga-Miyata offered the Granspeed was 1993. I can't comment on the pricing, as I'm not familiar with the British market conditions and can't acess your pictures.

I was thinking the same thing, early '90s. Pretty bike

http://i.imgur.com/4diqJCQh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qlvATgph.jpg

Looks like it needs a lot of cleaning.

http://i.imgur.com/5dciJeTh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/g7jbUTMh.jpg

Thank you ijsbrand for your tips on what I can replace and the link you shared! I couldn't find that section myself.

T-Mar, I figured as much about the 400EX, and that's why I wasn't sure about 1988 - unless the parts had been added in later. It definitely seemed more modern that that, but the miyata catalogs were deceiving. Thank you for letting me know the Granspeed was only ever produced in 1993. That makes it all the more special!Also, I am terribly sorry that the pic was not taken drive-side. I will try to attach a pic of the cranks and chainring to this post.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=326881
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=326882

Thanks Bianchigirll, I also find it very pretty! I actually can't stop looking at her. She really does need a good clean, I will do that this weekend, or perhaps this week if I have the time.

edit* typo 1998 changed to 1988

It's interesting how the previous owner said the "blades" were the only non-OEM part. I'm assuming that's British for forks. If so, they are OEM replacement forks. However, there does appear to be a slight ripple on the underside of the down tube, immediately above the horizon line, so I'm wondering if a crash necessitated the fork/blades replacement.

I think that is more a trick of the light. I went to inspect the bike after you mentioned that, and the down tube seems perfectly fine. Then again, I may not know what to look for in a frame that has been mended.

If that were the case, is that going to cause issues later on? What effects might one typically feel from riding a bike that has had its frame broken and repaired?