jiangshi

I know these are highly regarded, but I have a couple of questions.

My dear wife called me from a garage sale today to check about bikes for sale. She said there wa an overpriced Varsity, and the dirtiest old Miyata she'd ever seen. She told me it was a Miyata 1000LT. I told her to look for the old bent fork, swapped out front wheel, etc, and how the rest of the bike looked.

Long story made short, I picked it up. It was the second filthiest bike I've ever bought, but the grease and groat (word?) acted like cosmoline, and the bike is perfect. A true barn queen (it was not in a garage). It is 100% original, I've washed it down, because it was too filthy to work on. Everything needs a repack, but the only flaws are cracked hoods and a slightly faded Vetta saddle (on the left side...barn window?)

Unfortunately, the bike is a tad large for me. I think it's a 57 cm, c-t ST, and appears to be a 56.5 TT c-c.

Questions are, does Miyata measure c-t? Are these really desired or is that just hype? The original Miyata tires aren't even cracked, but I wouldn't ride them more than around the block.

If this is better suited for valuations, NP. I looked on eBay, zilch. All Googles led to here.

seely

No idea really if Miyata measured C-T-C or C-T-T. However, I can say that is a highly desirable Miyata. It's also a pretty average size, which will work in your favor. These all fetched around $700: miyata 1000LT | eBay

jiangshi

Thanks, those are a bit later models, I saw them. Does a 1986 still really have value in that range? It's bone stock according to the catalog.

I've figured that they must measure c-t on the seat tube.

seely

The component group is desirable, the frame and fork are splined, triple butted chromoly (many other models had a Hi-Ten fork), its got all the rack mounts and braze ons... there is little to differentiate a 1986 from later models. To the collector, the earlier component group is going to be more desirable as well. As a rider, the bike may be worth a little less than later examples, but as a collectible I'd be it would sell for roughly the same, maybe more, depending on condition.

jiangshi

Finished it up. It fits perfectly at the saddle height shown. I may have to think on this one, even though it was bought to re-sell.

It is by far the filthiest bike I've ever come across. It had a very thick layer of oily grime that served to protect everything nicely. I did a complete tear down and rebuild.

Album link

bikemig 

It's not going to be hard to sell this bike. But if it fits, I'd keep it.

Narhay

Nice. BTW Jiangshi means zombie in Mandarin. Your secret's out!

likebike23

If that's the correct saddle height for you, then I'd say it is a decent fit. I wouldn't rush to sell it, ride it for a while and see if you like it. Chances are that you won't ever find another one as nice as that.

daf1009

You did a great job on this bike...it looks fantastic! Only suggestion that I might have...change the foam handlebar wrap...this bike deserves something nicer! But...if that is what you like, then go for it...

Like others have said, ride it a while before deciding on whether to sell it...I have an earlier 1000...and I call it "M3"...Mile Munching Miyata...because it simply munches up the miles and I do not even think about how far I have ridden!

BEAUTIFUL!

oldskoolwrench

In my humble opinion... on the same lines as comparable bikes like the old Trek 728, or the old Specialized Sequoia and Expedition.

Stevensb 

+1^. Bar tape would be a great finishing touch.

jiangshi

The foam bar grip was original, and in good shape. I was tempted to put regular bar tape on it, and may at some point.

eMats

That bike is a beaut!

mparker326

If you are going to sell, leave the foam bar tape. Personally, I think Sheldon hyped these up and they aren't that special compared to other touring bikes from the same era. I would sell while the price is still inflated.

himespau 

That is a great find.

The Golden Boy 

I hope you can enjoy it- that's a world class bike.

It's all 600/XT level components with what's considered one of the finest vintage tubesets in one of the most well-designed geometries...

And yours is in AMAZING shape.

If you can't fit on it, the person that gets it next is going to be very happy.

ElliotSF

Beautiful bike! Great job cleaning it up! Sometimes I think that grease and oil (and perhaps a layer of grime, too) don't merely protect old bikes but actually nourish the paint somehow. (Last year I bought a 1987 Miyata mountain bike and the best-preserved paint on the bike was where I always find it: beneath a thick layer of greasy grime on the top of the bottom bracket shell.)

jiangshi

Thanks all.

I decided to toss it on the local CL for an optimistic price, and I'll see what happens. As nice as it is, I don't see myself using it for it's intended purpose.

The Golden Boy 

"Intended porpoise" is to ride as smooth as a 1972 Cadillac ElDorado, and just as stylish.

Best of luck with the sale!

miamijim

We sold a lot of Miyata 1000's and they only got better each year. LT models were approximately 2 lbs lighter than non-LT models. Were there other good touring bikes back then? Yes. Were there better touring bikes? Nope.

The Golden Boy 

Hi Jim-

It seems that pretty much across the board, the real emphasis on "touring" bikes STOPPED in 1985.

Although I'm not entirely up on a lot of the lines, Trek discontinued the 720 and 620 and the 520 didn't get really "tour-y" until 1988, Schwinn wrapped the Voyageur and Voyageur SP packages into the Voyageur- I don't recall seeing a whole lot of premium 1986 touring bikes.

Seeing the Miyata 1000 LE, with it's weight being less than other bikes (significantly), and with your recollection that they "kept getting better," does that mean that Miyata was still continuing to innovate and view the touring bike as a premium offering, while others either discontinued or kept a cursory "touring" bikes for the old folks...

himespau 

On the other hand, it was only in 1986 that Cannondale put cantilever brakes on their touring bikes. But of course, those were aluminum.

miamijim

I worked at one of the top Miyata dealers in the country from '84 through their demise in '94.

We always looked forward to opening certain Miyata every year because we knew they'd be spec'd better than the year before. Miyata never stepped back in specification and always introduced the latest in technology, it may not have been top of the line componentry but it was at least as good as the previous year.

As an example, by '94 the 1000LT was spec'd with Deore LX derailleurs which were better than the late 80's XT derailleurs. The only questionable 1000LT spec was the aero brake levers, I never thought they had a pull ratio for cantilever brakes.

I think touring bike took a big hit for a few reasons. First, riders who toured heavily following the bike boom were aging, it just wasn't for them anymore. Mountain bikes decimated the road bike market, no longer was the casual rider riding slumped over in an uncomfortable position and hybrids were like lightweight mountain bikes. You could tour on a mountain or hybrid bike but you couldn't ride off road with touring bike.

jtgotsjets

Not worth $1000; you'll turn off a lot of potential buyers with a price that high.

If it fits you and you have need of a touring bike (they also make great townie bikes, etc), then keep it and ride it. Otherwise, my vote goes to listing it locally at a reasonable price so somebody else can go on a tour or something.

jiangshi

Maybe, but no one pays asking price on CL. $800 is realistic.