Hi, all

I managed to obtain a Miyata for nothing (it was hanging up in a friend's parents' shed, and they wanted it out of there). Apparently they were storing it for someone and they'd lost contact for several years. It's been repainted - the only way I can tell it's a Miyata at all is from the stamp on the shoulders of the fork. My friend's parents could only tell me, "He was a pretty serious rider, and he spent a lot of money on it". Is it possible to identify the model? Here's what I can tell you:

All the trimmings appear to be Suntour, but I can't find part numbers on anything (the bike is pretty grimy). The rims are Amaya. The bike's serial # is L267416 (I think - when it was repainted, it looks like the paint filled in the numbers, so they're a bit hard to read; that last 6 could be an 8). Is this enough information to make an identification?

Also, if anyone knows anything about this bike, do you think it would be worth upgrading to some more modern parts? The bike weighs about 27 lbs., but it rides pretty nice (at least, after the flywheel was cleaned out - it'll be even better with some more work).

Thanks!

Based on the weight and serial number, the initial prospects are an upper, entry level or lower, mid-range model from 1982-1984.

If you could provide makes and models for the major components (derailleurs, brakes and crankset) that would be a big help. Also, I've got some specific questions. Is there a head badge? Are the tires 700C or 27". Are the shift levers mounted on the stem or downtube? If on the downtube, are they held on by a clamp or bolted directly onto the frame (braze-ons) and are they mounted on the top or side of the tube? Does the frame have threaded holes for mounting a water bottle?

I'm at work right now, so I'm going from memory for models of components. Also, I believe a lot of the original parts have been swapped out, so I don't know whether this information would be useful. The rear derailleur is a Shimano, but it's definitely not an original part - too new for the mid-80s. The front derailleur is a Suntour with "Mountech" printed on it. I'm fairly certain the brakes are Suntour. As for the crankset, I believe it's Suntour as well, but I'm not quite as sure. I can't recall models for the brakes and crankset.

In answer to your other questions:

There is no head badge.

Tires are 27".

Shift levers are clamped onto the downtube, with the levers on the sides of the tube.

The frame has two sets of threaded holes for water bottles; one on top of the downtube and one on the bottom.

The double bottle mounts indicates that it is one of the models from the Grand Touring series. Clamp on, side mounted shift levers indicate that it likely the mid-range model 610.

To narrow down the year and confirm the model, I have some more questions. Are there double eyelets on the front dropout? Are there rack eylets on the upper seat stays? Are the brakes cantilevers?

Wow, I'm very impressed by your knowledge.

The answers to your questions are yes, yes, and yes.

OK, it's definitely a model 610 from either 1983 or 1984.

The way to positively identify the year would be to have the original paint colour, but that's long gone, unless you want to look for overspray remnants on the fork steerer and in the bottom bracket.

Alternatively, we can go through the complete list of components and see what is the best match, given that we already know some have been changed out. One thing that may help is the freewheel. The 1983 model was 5 speed, while the 1984 was 6 speed. Please note that the presence of a 6 speed is not a postive identification for 1984. There is always the possibility that it was swapped out at the same time as the derailleur. However, if it 6 speed and you have to spread the stays to get the wheel in place, then you know it's a retro-fit and that you have a 1983 model. A 6 speed with a good fit in the stays, indicates it is probably 1984, but there is still the possibility that it's a retro-fit and the original owner went through the exercise of having the stays cold set to the correct spacing.

Maybe knowing the exact year is not important to year. However, if it is I will go through the process with you. Reagardless, what you have is a good mid-range touring model. The main frame is Miyata double butted CrMo with hi-tensile forks and stays. Original cost was about $375 US.

I'm more and more impressed by your knowledge. Thank you!

The freewheel is a six speed with a good fit in the stays, so I would guess it's a 1984 model, but I'm not terribly concerned with knowing the exact year - the information you've provided is more than enough for me.

Again, thank you for your generosity. You've provided more information in a few days than I was able to turn up by searching the internet for weeks.