I made some headway today.

I rode it down to work and it functioned well while in gear all the way down and back (12 mi). Gear changes were less than stellar thanks to the RD cage problem.

So I got home kinda early today and set to fix all its woes.

The Superbe RD was replaced with a Cyclone RD that handles the freewheel perfectly with no issues.

Interestingly enough this was the Black bodied 1st gen Cyclone RD that I broke last Fall when the cage tension spring snapped while riding through Maplewood with Noglider. Some an exploded diagram someone posted here on the forums gave me enough help that I was able to disassemble the cage spring mechanism and transplant in a new spring from a beat up 2nd gen Cyclone I had sitting around. The result (which I wish I had pics of) is a Cyclone RD thats works perfectly again. Wrapped the bars and tweaked the brake adjustment a little.

I took it out for another high speed blast around the neighborhood and snapped a pic with my Cell Phone.

I still need a pair of Toe Clips , and I've got a great set of Vintaqe Yellow Leather Toe straps to go on there. I'll probably change the FD to a Cyclone too because the cage on the Superbe is just so damn narrow that it requires trimming nearly every time you shift the RD

Here she is presently All issues have been worked out, I've been riding it all summer and I love it. Its a perfect fit. Thanks to everyone for all the help.


Here's my dilemma.

The rust isn't confined to the cable guides. The paint on the underside of the seat lug is bubbling and looking like there's surface rust on that part of the lug. I know I can file it off and stop the cancer there...my fix to the top tube cable guides is still rust free. The question is, am I fighting a losing battle? Should I just get the frame blasted and powdercoated, and have some new guides brazed on? (by a competent shop of course) To be honest I love the way this bike looks, but I've never been in love with the finish on it. The decals are really cheap plastic and peeling off...top tube is already less than stellar...I don't really know what to do.

My main concern is making sure the bike I love doesn't rust away.


If I powdercoated, would this still look as good? even if I fill it with a contrasting paint color? There's detail on the seatstay ends and cutouts in the lugs too.

No, you will lose the sharpness of the cutouts with powdercoat, it goes on thicker than paint. I know this from personal experience, my Ciocc's cutouts are nowhere near as sharp after I got it powdercoated. I think that a simple blue paint job wouldn't be too much money since it is just one colour.

Sounds like you're saying you don't like the original finish or the condition. I won't unfriend you if you repaint it, even though I like the original finish. Just as long as I can test ride it, before or after refinishing.

It's taken 25 years to get to this point. If I were you, I'd hang onto it as is (touching up the problem areas) for a few more years before investing in new paint. You may fall out of love. Right now you're just infatuated.

Just be sure to keep the platform pedals on it for Tom's test ride.

I think that all sounds pretty right on (on all points ), thanks man.

One change I am making though....just got some Suntour Command Shifters.

I have an 88 Team sitting just to the left of me as I type this. Fortunately, and unfortunately, it is not mine to ride. Also fortunately or unfortunately depending on perspective, the bike is not in my size. However, I jacked up the seatpost and stem after I got it, because hey, its sort of wrong to get a bike without testing it on a little shakedown, right?

Anyway, I'm now obsessed with finding one of these in my size. Amazing. And retailed for $1,300 in '83, huh? That wasn't cheap. Does yours have the lugged front derailleur braze-on?

Wow! That’s quite a beauty Zaphod. One sees so many awesome bikes on this forum, especially the Italians, and I would rank this right up there. I don’t know if I’m inspired or am ready to donate my Park tools to the local bike charity.

Whoever is getting that baby is a lucky, lucky bugger. That person would probably have to have a Team Miyata ride with Zaphod in the near future.



Also...I'm not sure it's an 88'. Looks a bit earlier than that to me, and I think it was double butted, not triple splined.

IIRC we sold Teams for $999 in '84 and when new Dura Ace arrived for '85 they were priced at $1299. Several years after that, maybe when the 2-tone paint schemes came out and in conjunction with changes in the Yen we sold the for $1799.

Looks good, Zaphod!

I vote 'NO' on any refinish short of a full restoration, and I vote 'no' on that as well. As long as you don't leave out in the rain all winter long and ride it on slushy salted road, the rust isn't going to progress. Clean it thoroughly, dry it thoroughly, and wax it thoroughly and it'll be fine.

By the way, the ride I'm organizing for 10/24 goes past Kopps. They're closed on Sundays, but we can take your picture out front.

Aaron you lucky bugger! You finally caught your white whale If yours is an '88 It may be splined and Double butted, Mine is an '84 and its only double butted. I'm up for that ride anytime.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Rudi, I'd love it if we can make that picture happen.

This is a strictly sunny-day bike...i don't even really ride it on dry sunny days in the winter because of the gravel on the roads Sounds like a little extra lovin with a file and some rustoleum is in order. Honestly I just wish the decals looked a little less ragged. According to my seat tube I'm riding a "Team Miya", and if you can spot the headtube in some of those photos you'll see its just two "Team Miyata" stickers that don't appear to belong there running vertically on the headtube. Whatever, it rides great and I cant imagine it would look as cool in any other color.

Well...white whale might be extreme...my real white whale is an 87' De Rosa signature with panto Delta brakes that a friend of mine rode when we were teens. Everytime I bring the bike up he changes the subject.

That said, this is one of the bikes I most wanted.

I go against the grain here and I say REPAINT IT!!! Especially if you got a good deal on it. They are very nice bikes (my Miyata Pro is one of my favorite riding bikes) and it's not like you are refinishing a valuable antique. Don't powdercoat it, spring for a real refinish and decals. I restore bikes both ways, keep the original finish when nice and repaint when not, and I like them either way. Check out the repaint on my pro, also visit my page to see before shots.

https://s758.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Miyata%20Pro/

Anyone know what is the difference in steel between the Team Miyata and a 914?

Add an R. Crumb jersey...

you and I must be thinking of Different R. Crumb's.

I was on your wave length with this one!

I would think you should find in here what the difference is for the particular models/years you want to compare.

https://www.miyatacatalogs.com/