I surrender!
 

Building vintage cruisers from parts boxes was a hobbie I once enjoyed immensely. But one odd day about twenty years ago, I literally walked away from that, and for no good reason. I recall locking a 1936 Schwinn "Excelsior" to a rack so I could browse a used record shop. On my way out, I decided I'd walk home for a change, planning to get the bike "tomorrow," but I never did. I soon sold off or gave away whatever bikes and parts I had left. I took to walking for a few years, enjoying its change of pace.


Occupational change mandated that I eventually join the frantic world of the motorist, and I tolerated that for a spell of about ten years or so, until I came to a place where I realized I no longer needed to drive, and neither did I want to. Anyone remember the gas price hikes during the recession of the late 2000s? Sold the truck, and picked up the first of a miserable line of junker bikes which I would never find much of any real pleasure in riding or working on. A couple beach cruisers, a couple of worn out department store mountain bikes, and finally a vintage Schwinn road frame single speed conversion. I didn't realize then what I know now, that (manufacturer quality aside) ignoring mechanical problems, and an ill fitted bicycle can be major deterrents to a would be cyclist. So I walked.


Many worn out soles, and many bus passes later, I began to reminisce about that last single speed Schwinn, and so last summer I purchased a frankensteined vintage steel 6 speed of an unknown make. It was an impulsive and uninformed decision, as it didn't take too many miles to realize the frame was too large for me. But a fire was lit. For whatever reason, a genuine interest in old bikes was reborn.


I've taken to better informing myself on quite a few aspects regarding this ambition, and as a result, last week I pulled the trigger on a well cared for, mostly original, and gorgeous 1981 Miyata 610 that fits very very comfortably. So far I've dressed her with a set of Cascadia fenders and have enjoyed a few dozen cold, and rainy miles around town. This bike has brought me back to the passion I once had about twenty years ago. The bug has bit me, I can feel it, I know when I'm sold, and I'm all in! Happily riding through winter, aiming towards spring...



So its for that reason that I'm here, and its on that note that I wish to say "hello." I'm glad to have found ya'll, and am looking forward learning, sharing, and being a part of this.

Sorry, we're all full up and not taking any prisoners this week.

Welcome, and I hope that over the next years your Miyata brings you more joy than you expect, even in your most optimistic mood.

Welcome!

I never lost the fire. I've had two bikes or more for the past 40+ years. One of those has always been a fix gear, kind of an ongoing bike where everything including frames gets replaced as needed. Frame #4 was a 610. On the big side and too laid back for a good fit for this body, but a very well made frame. Zero frame related issues in the 27,000 miles I owned it until I shortened the wheelbase 8". Except for forks, it survived several much harder crashes unscathed.

That bike now has an early '80s Trek frame. More ordinary tubing, not as nice a ride, but a much better fit. It has seen a frawme repair already, inside of 10,000 of my miles. (I never have known the history of my used frames save one early '80s Schwinn LeTour and the only reason I know that bike's history is because it was obvious. Bought new, too big, ridden for less than 200 miles and never touched again. 2002, it was like new at a garage sale, deep in dust ans spider webs. Nothing turned easily. All the grease was petrified. And perfectly clean.)

Now I have 5 bikes. The Trek, an early '70s Raleigh that is now a gravel grinder, the '79 Peter Mooney of my sign-on and two recent customs.

Ben

Welcome to BikeForums!

Welcome aboard, or should I say we've got you now. If you didn't already check in the Classic and Vintage Forum it has a great deal of people with like interests to yours, myself included. Glad that you put your hands up, not that the "cuffs" are on lets see some pictures, in the C&V Forum, of that Miyata to start.

Bill

Welcome to Bike Forums. Glad you're here. :)

The warm welcome is much appreciated you guys. Same goes for the humor, the encouragement, and dare I say "enabling?" I can tell I've stumbled upon a great group! :)

Ben, I love your testimony to the quality, and reliability of that Miyata's frame build. Definatley reassuring! BTW, that on going fixed gear build sounds like a ton of fun!

And Bill, thanks for urging me to post pics of the bike in Classic and Vintage. I went ahead to do so. After all, why not, right?

Matt

When in Rome.....

That poor Schwinn...


Oh well, somebody buried a bunch of old Cadillacs nose down at a 45 degree and called that a 'ranch'.


Welcome back to the real world, You need to find a DX and build something like this: '45 Schwinn DX mutt | The Classic and Antique Bicycle Exchange


That's just dandy!

Welcome to BF! There's a ton of knowledge (and bike passion enablement!) contained herein, for sure.

"and have enjoyed a few dozen cold, and rainy miles around town."

Yep, you're definitely one of us.

Welcome back.

Many supporters of "N + 1" on B.F. :D

I loved reading your introduction; so much history, passion, and fun! Yeah, I'd say if you're already riding around in the cold and rain you were reading to dive (or pedal?) back into the world of cycling. I've a good friend with a Miyata, they're exceptionally well-behaved bikes. Take good care of her!
Welcome back, and welcome to Bike Forums!