Does anyone know the trick to decoding Miele serial numbers? I just scored a dumpster-find Miele frame; the serial number is TS497279. Any clue as to what year that would make it?

Unfortunately, we have not been able to collect sufficient data to decode the Miele serial number format. However, if you post larger, clear, drive photos and/or list brands and models of major components, I should be able to narrow things down. All I can tell you right now is that it is late 1980s. Alternately, you can verify the component date codes using the information on the Vintage-Trek website and report the results.

Componentry is non-existent. I found the frame, some really crappy SR cranks that I don't think are original, and a decent SR stem/Sakae bar combo. Everything else has been stripped.

The decals are not the normal miele decals though. I'll take pictures when I can. If it means anything, the tubing decal says "Oji Original Frame Tubes", and it's apparently hi-ten. Seems strange that a late-80s bike from a fairly reputable manufacturer would be made out of hi-ten tubing...

I don't recall ever seeing a Miele that was solely hi-tensile, unless you went down into their city bicycle line. What size seat post does it take? All three of those SR components should have date codes. It certainly wouldn't hurt to check. If the decals are atypical, that would aid in the identification. Could be a very early or very late model.

Bump.

I've never seen anything like that, before now. It appears to be one of the earlier models. I've seen conflicting reports as to whether the Miele brand appeared in 1979 or 1985. Part of the confusion may be that Miele (the man) originally set up the business to import brand name frames and assemble them into bicycles. So there were Miele bicycles in 1979, but they may have only been assembled by Miele's company and may not have been the Miele brand.

From what I've learned of serial numbers, I'm guessing this is a 1985 model, manufactured in Japan, in late 1984, though the decal style looks more 1970s. I don't have a clue as to the model. It would be appreciated if you could check the 3 components for the date codes, in an attempt to corroborate my statement. Also, are there any decals referencing Guvin?

OoOoh, a mystery bike! My favourite!

The cranks are stamped '84, but there's no indication as to whether they're original or not. The stem is stamped '80, the bars are stamped '84 as well. Curiously enough, both the cranks and bars have the letter "I" stamped alongside the year, which I assume means the ninth month. This would seem to indicate that it is indeed original equipment, and was made in September 1984. The 1980 stem is still a mystery, though...maybe Miele had some old parts on-hand?

Is Miele the person still alive? Is he reachable? This seems like an oddity that could do with some investigation.

Jim Miele passed away in 2003, a year after selling off the rights to the brand. Looks to me like we've gotten enough corroboration to establish a 1985 manufactured in late 1984. Only the model name remains a mystery.

Oh, that's unfortunate. I've also seen some of the "new" Mieles, made by whoever bought the brand name, and they're crappy department-store hybrids. Also unfortunate.

Anyways, looks like this is a super early Miele, which is pretty cool. I assume they switched to the more common decals within a year or two, because I certainly haven't seen ones likes this before. There's no other decals anywhere, so maybe there was no model name...

The very same tubing badge is on a recently acquired one owner 1984 Rossi. This bike was sold by Scattolon Cycle in Hamilton Ontario. It appears to be a nicely built and finished frame and was likely sourced from the Guvin/ Miele group.