desert lighthan

Hi,
I just bought a Miyata Three Twelve and was hoping for some info about it. It is teal with a white head tube and fork and the serial # is PW44050. What year is this bike? It has triple butted crome moly frame and manga lite fork. Is there anything I should know about this fork? I have not heard what properties manganese steel has.
Thank you for answers to these questions and for any other info you feel is interesting or relevant.

Antipodes

1987.
T-Mar will correct me if I'm wrong...

T-Mar

Actually, it is a 1988 model, though it was built in late 1987. Managalight was Miyata's proprietary manganese tubing. It is less expensive to manufacture and easier to braze than chromium-molybdenum. The latter is about 15% stronger but looses more strength during the brazing process. Consequently, a finished CrMo fork is only 10% stronger than the Managalight. Usually the Mangalight fork uses slightly thicker material to make up for the difference and consequently will weigh a bit more.

In case you didin't know, the Splined Triple Butted (STB) main tubes are manufactured by Miyata themselves and it is very good tubing. Also, the correct term for the teal color is Peacock. The bicycle itself is a low, mid-range model. Miyata were arguably the best of the Japanese, mass volume manufacturers during this era. Provided it has not been abused or worn it, it should provide you with many happy, trouble-free miles.

Leigh, if you have a Marinoni why would you even bother with vintage Italian steel? No knowledgable cyclist would turn his nose up at your Marinoni, regardless of what he is riding. If they did, they would be total -CENSORED - !!! A Marinoni is Canadian, even if Giuseppe was born in Italy. If you want, you could consider them pseudo-Italian or of Italian heritage.

Antipodes

Well, my signature is purely a joke. I only say this because my chances of finding a nice Italian steed in my size (64-65cm) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to purchase and/or ship are pretty slim. I have a nice 1986 Marinoni Special in great shape, though it is a little on the small side for me (62cm), but still totally rideable. The finish on the bike is excellent in terms of the lugwork and attention to detail, and I'm sure puts to shame many Italian-built bikes anyway. Now that I think of it, I totally agree with you, and will promptly change my signature...
I (with assistance from the bike shop next door, A.K.A. Cyclotoine, my new neighbour) am toying with the idea of changing the Triomphe group out for full Super, Nuovo or Corsa Record. I don't mind the Triomphe group, but SR would look better.

Sorry to hijack the thread people. As a sidenote, I once had a 1987 Miyata 312 that I purchased in almost mint shape for $40. It really was a nice bike, considering it being a lower model. It wasn't my size so I ended up selling it...

T-Mar

I figured as much but any excuse to promote Marinoni is a good one. Of course, now that you've changed your signature, my comment seems totally out to lunch.

Antipodes

Okay, I will modify it again...

Fuller357

Hello, I have a Miyata 312 [URL="https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/andy0325/DSCN0686.jpg"] and recently did a fixie conversion. Its a solid bike and I like it alot.

cb400bill

lgraham

Does this bike have good components? There's one of these available to me locally, and I'm working on my first vintage road bike purchase. Also, What's it worth?

https://buffalo.craigslist.org/bik/3946753472.html

top506

Would you say the same of Miele? I've always considered my Gara an Italian bike made in Canada.

Top

clubman 

I rode a Miyata 312 for a year until cracks developed around the exit area for the internal cable routing on the top tube, Kept your eye on it. It was a nice ride but felt heavy.

pgoat

I know this is an old thread, but I'm planning to look at this one - in 2015 $ in a big city of cyclists, they're asking $350. Looks pretty clean & original, but is that nuts? It's a 1989 48cm.

mstateglfr 

Repost this in the C&V appraisal forum.

Great paint- there is some personality in it!

pgoat

Thanks - definitely a time capsule look.

I went and saw it, it was a very nice bike - that's the high end price imo, but it was for sale in a high end neighborhood! I passed b/c it was a bit too small for me.

eschlwc

i sold my fully refurbished '88 312 for $350 earlier this year, and it had a ding in the top tube.



i really liked it. even though it was only a 312, i'd consider it mid-level compared to a lot of the other, older bikes i've had (like my '70s peugeots and fujis).

clubman 

It's got a Centurion vibe, pretty. I'd triplize it with the Mtn LX front mech.

But I do that to most riders these days.

TiHabanero

As far as Miyata goes, any thread, old or new, is welcomed! The 312 I rode that was teal with white head tube had 3 thin rings around the upper part of the seat tube. Each ring had its own color, and it was a 1986 model. It did not have slimed tubing,
Of the 3 300 series bikes I owned and rode, the teal one was my favorite. Well underrated machine.

eschlwc

i should hope not.

[insert 'ghostbusters' screenshot here.]

TiHabanero

Haha! Darned tablet. Splined tubing!! Great frame.