So I came across a good deal on a Miyata road bike, and from what Google can tell me you guys are the best forum to ask about it. I searched around for some info on decoding the serial number, but I couldn't find a lot of Miyata-specific information.

So the bike is a Grand Touring, and the guy who sold it to me said it was comparable to the 610, although the only markings on the bike are the manufacturer and the words Grand Touring. SN: T818644, and there are two white squares on either side of the SN that both say F.

I'm interested in seeing what kind of parts/upgrades I need to look into, as I'd like to replace the brake pads and service the drivetrain, as well as just get a general idea what I'm working with here.

Though I paid $160 for it with the intention of having a bike that I didn't mind getting stolen, after two weeks I'm attached to this machine. Any insight you guys can offer me would be great.

Here's a picture. Bike is currently in the shop having the rear hub repacked and the brakes adjusted (I am seriously lacking of tools here, lol) but if you guys would like clearer pictures of anything, let me know and I'll get some HD shots with the iPhone.

I is generally better if we have drive side pics to look at and perhaps some close ups - or at least details of the components if you want input about them. That is very likely a high quality touring bike that you do not want to have stolen and will love owning. Great for all around purposes and if it fits you well, very comfortable as well. Looks like a great find to me. Nice bike! I would guess it is an early eighties bike, but I am no expert.

I found this website pretty helpful about learning about the different models of Miyata. Maybe it can help you out a bit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyata

Looks cool.

I have owned a couple of Miyata Grand Touring bicycles. The Grand Touring was their top of the line touring bicycle and is considered to be one of the best vintage touring bicycles available during the eighties. They are really well made and a treat to ride...

It's my first road bike of any description, and all the research I did the night before I bought it pointed to it being a solid purchase...I was pretty much only able to find Miyata frames at a price that low. I'm trying to figure out the components, so I'll borrow my brothers iPhone when I get the bike back and see about getting some nicer pictures up.

I found a website online that had Miyatas with T prefixes listed as 1991 models. Like I said, I'll get some better pictures, but does that sound about right?

From the serial number starting with T this should be a 1991 model. But this is what a 1991 Model 1000LT looks like:

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_whtVpXkKwl...0-h/img278.jpg

My understanding is that Miyata stopped labeling their touring bikes with "Grand Touring" in the late 70's and started using numbers. From the picture this looks like an older bike than 1991.

Yep, that bike is 1980 or earlier. Just look up the component codes. No way that bike is 1991.

My goodness, thats a nice bike.
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I'm pretty sure that is an sr crank so you should be able to find a year number on the inside of left side crank.

With the clamp on shifters, it looks a lot like the 1981 catalog scan. Nice bike with a great price

I've never seen a rack like that, mounting to the brakes.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_whtVpXkKwl...0-h/img009.jpg

Lugged frame, cantis---it is a very nice bike, regardless, and definately a tourer. It looks a lot like my '83 610, and you got a steal at $160. What is the exact wording on the top tube, and what do the tubing stickers say?

The early 610's had the suicide levers, but not after mid-eighties, I think. Check out old Miyata catalogs at: https://www.miyatacatalogs.com/ . That site has info about serial numbers as well.

As far as upgrades, personally I would ditch the suicide levers and maybe get a wider handlebar (my old Sakae was ridiculously narrow). There are plenty of choices for good 27" tires these days (see that C&V thread), so you can keep the wheels if they are in good shape. Good luck!

I'm glad to hear you guys think I got a deal! I did about two hours of research the night before I bought it, and eBay told me I'd be getting a good deal. I tinkered with it a bit, changed out the rim strips after I had both tires blow out (whoops) and except for the hub needing to be repacked, it seems to be in great condition.

You can't really tell from the photos, but it does have its cosmetic blemishes. A bit of surface rust, especially on the components, the decals are fading and the clearcoat is starting to go. I was planning on replacing the components entirely to keep the bike looking pretty, which is why I want to know what to replace them with. I want to keep it vintage as possible if I can, if only because it was one of the only ones I could find in the area that hadn't been converted to a fixie yet.

Anyways, what's a good way to remove rust without hurting the paint?

I'm glad to hear you want to keep the bike vintage it is nice to see a bike like this that hasn't been converted or severly updated. I just couldn't see someone wanting to make a lot of changes to a vintage bike this nice.

We're on Google?

Haha, yeah, if you search miyata serial numbers you guys are the first thing that pops up. First through the fifth, darn near.

EDIT: So I was thinking about the SN and what year the bike is, and it occurs to me what I'm reading as a T could be a I or J with the bottom part too light to read. In that case, the bike would be an 80 or 81. Just gotta figure out model now.

Picture day!
Took these in low light, so some of them came out a little grainy. If you want/need clearer shots of anything, let me know.

As others pointed out, I'm pretty sure you have an '81 1000, very nice bike all around. The suicide levers were not standard on that model but I could see the OP having them put on.

If everything is mechanically sound then just clean it up and ride it like you stole it, because for $160 you did (at least it would be in the SoCal market).

The only thing I would think of doing to upgrade is to get some aero brake levers, bar end shifters (just my personal preference), and bump up to a 7sp freewheel in the back.

Yeah, the more I look into it, the more it looks like a 1000, what with the Suntour Cyclone derailleur, SR Apex crankset, and cantilever brakes. I'm thinking it's actually a 1980, as what I thought was a T is more likely to be an I (the bottom of the die that stamped the serial number didn't stamp the bottom 1/8th of it, but there's no curve so as to suggest it's actually a J prefix). I went over it after I got it back from the shop, and it's not in as dirty/rusty condition as I thought. I think I'm gonna do some research on basic tune-up stuff, get my hands on some tools and start tweaking, since I found a few issues.
*Weird creak in the cranks when I put a lot of pressure on them...based on my meager experience it sounds a lot like a loose bolt, but I'll probably...
*Rebuild the bottom bracket (or have it rebuilt)
*Find a new seat (somethin classy)
*Retape the handlebars with something less garish (probably once that cloth tape wears out)
*Get the wheels trued
*Replace the pedals (classy again)

So, it looks like the more I research this, the better the deal it looks like I got! I'm a pretty happy dude right now!

Some early 80s Miyatas had the model number only on the chainstay...is there any sign of a decal there? I think 'Grand Touring' was what they called the touring line. My 1982 210 had the 'Grand Touring' sticker on the seattube. But with those features...and Cyclone!...your bike is surely either a model 1000 or its predecessor.

It is not a 81 1000.

Well then Grand PooBah, what is it?

I recognize this bike. I restored one about a year ago and sold it. It was hard to peg the year because the catalog site didn’t go back that far. I dated mine to ’79 which I ‘think’ might have been the first year of the 1000. It’s not as spectacular a bike as the later 1000’s, but it is a real workhorse, do-anything bike. That’s what I remember most about it. Although I found the brake boss mounted racks a bit squirrelly.

What's a Google?