"New" Miyata 912
 

I just picked my Miyata 912 up this morning, made it ride-ready, and went for a quick 25-miler. I was fortunate to find it on eBay, and the bike was physically located only about 2 miles from where I live. Made it sort of a low-risk proposition. The seller said he was selling it for his friend, who bought it in 1987, rode it a few times, then stuck it in his closet. It certainly looks as if this were the case. The saddle appears brand-new. There are minor scuffs, but probably from storage. All in all, not bad. Anyway, I
- got rid of the dork disk
- got a pump which fit (Silca, hopefully never need to use it) and bike bag installed,
- put on a pair of spd pedals and cheapo computer from Performance,
- changed the tubes and tires,
- lubed the chain,
- tightened up front wheel bearings, and rode off.
First thing I notices is that this is a stiff bike. Almost no bottom bracket flex. The second thing is the 24t "granny gear" on the freewheel. I'll need to change this for hill riding. The 6sp indexed shifting is pretty cool, and works well. It's a keeper!
Here are some pics:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1287/...d5acee8fe1.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1313/...225fe8eb9a.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1270/...af39334a8d.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/...b8de1fff2f.jpg

NOT bad is NOT the word .. NICE bike. I saw that bike. I'm over-Miyat'd for now. The 912s are special, always were. 700c wheels, great start,worth TWICE what a 27" wheel bike is, it's in the geometry you know. Since '80 they came with 600 components,all the parts better than average. 912 was the start-off point for the true racey Miyatas with 700 wheels and such. Very much in common with the Pro and Team models. 912s didn't change so much between '80 -'88 or so. Most models did, miyata managed to ruin the offerings starting from '84 in some cases 'till they bolted in the '90s. Great pick, a real stand-out in the field of bikes made in Japan, I meen that !

I would have kept the real shoe pedals and swapped out the drivetrain to 7 speed 12-28 or 13-30 myself, but that's just me.
Some day a nice late '80s 912 will come my way and join the 512, Triplecross, and Areo TT bike.
Top

I'm actually just leaving the house to pick up the 28t; I met a guy in our local "retro" shop, when the shop owner didn't have any Shimano cogs, this fellow said; how about this... I've been lucky lately. And don't worry, I'll save the original pedals!

I dont mean to freak you out but...are the top tube cable holes reinfoced? Miyata had a problem with cracks on non-reinforced frames. I vividly remember this happening on the 7-series. Take a pic of the frame where the brake cable goes in and post it for me.

Jim...Pro Miyata owner

Jim, thanks for the heads-up. There is a plastic sleeve on the top tube that the brake cable runs through. Can't really tell if it's reinforced. Here's a pic:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/...6cb5ca8aa9.jpg

No, it is not re-inforced. A re-inforced frame has an extra piece of metal brazed around the hole. Its not that big of a deal so ride and enjoy. I dont recall Miyata actualy recalling the frames. If I remember correctly they replaced them 'as needed'.

Jim

Sweet! Good looking bike. How does that Shimano 600 shift? I was considering one for my Mystery bike if I can't score a Campy.

Pretty nicely. A big click, then an authoritative "clunk".

I just got a call about a 912 for sale. I have no idea what to offer on the bike. It's owned by a bike mechanic so the bike is in near perfect condition both mechanically and cosmetically. Any help with what to offer is appreciated, thanks.

KRhea

FWIW, I paid around $250 for mine. Good luck!

I saw one of these on craigslist the other day, supposedly in excellent condition. If I'd have had the funds, I would have picked it up.

Looks like it came with period BioPace egg-shaped chainrings. I like them, although some people don't.

Took a similar bike from a 6 to a 7 speed freewheel, first with a 7s downtube shift lever, and later with a pair of Sora STI brifters. A short cage Shimano 105 rear with a 42/52 BioPace front handles a 13-15-17-19-21-24-32 cluster ok. A 13-30 rear has about the same range when used with a 39t front. If you have been avoiding hills, the 30 or 32 tooth bailout cog makes a fearless go anywhere setup while keeping the original double crank.

Thanks for that info. I now have a 28t rear with the original 42/52. Never used "Biopace" before, but it does not seem like a big negative. It's not exactly go-anywhere, but I can always stand!