5cagm

WOW! I am so envious it's not even funny. Oh by the way, any chance you still have one of those bonded aluminum frames in a 56?

noglider 

Is Koga Miyata the name in the European market? If not, what is it?

New Yorker

Thanks, Tom!

YoKev

Yep, can't wait!

KonAaron Snake 

Kevin - I can't wait to get mine built up! The frame is screaming...ride me...ride me...

Tom - sort of. It was a partnership between a Dutch company and Miyata. Miyata supplied the frames, or maybe just the tubing (I've heard both) and they were assembled in Europe. They are marketed to the high end European cycling market without much in the mid-level area. There is a shop or two in Cali that imports a few of these, but they aren't really in the American markets much at all. Miyata left with the currency changes.

Elev12k

Aaron has it more or less correct. Miyata carried a wide line up, KM did only high end bikes. Rivel manufacturer Miyata started with bikes in 1890. Koga-Miyata was founded in 1974 by Andries Gaastra. He thought there would be room for a quality 'off the shelf' bike above the than excisting brands. He choose Miyata as the manufacturer to supply him the frames. Andries was member of a true bike family. His father Gerrit was heavily involved in Batavus, his soon Gerrit Jr in idworx.

Elev12k

Actually yes. I have one 56cm frame left. I planned to preserve that one for my own collection, but I have to admit I am too tall for it anyway. I will do some thinking on it.

KonAaron Snake 

Elev - did Miyata supply complete frames, or just tubing? Or both depending on model? I think it might have been both...I know a lot of them say hand made by Koga, and I think that means more than just assembling the bike.

Elev12k

Miyata supplied painted frames. Of course Koga contributed with design input and set their colours and graphics. In Heerenveen they put the bikes together. A while ago I had the oppertunity to visit them and take a look in their shop. One mechanic assembles and adjusts an entire bike. They also had a nice display of vintage Kogas in their canteen. Among them a very early ProRacer, very early FullPro, ueberrare FullPro-A aerobike, Randonneurs that went all over the world etc.

Grim

They are still in buisness. Site doesnt translate well.
https://translate.google.com/translat...2F&sl=ja&tl=en

My Guess is they still have their metal works as they also make Fire Extinguishers.

bubba1640

I've been drinking the miyata kool-aid since 1985 and I want to drink more.

noglider 

As I said, I don't think there is any mass production of bikes in Japan any more, so it's not surprising that Merida of Taiwan makes bikes for Miyata.

I don't know what bikes Merida makes now, but they made the Raleigh USA lineup in the mid 80's, and they were good. I bet they've gotten even better now. Taiwan makes the best mass produced bikes nowadays.

YoKev

I am extremely envious of the frame you scored! I didn't check this place for two days and I missed out! They sure went fast!

When he offered the others, I pounced.

I can't wait to see the pictures of your build.

Road Fan

Huge. I understand they have a remote compound in Northern Michigan covering hundreds of acres, called Miyata Brethren Nation, and they will defend it against all carbon-riding invaders. It's dangerous.

cia dog

I bought a excellent conditioned 87 Miyata 612 with the original components on about 2 months ago. I just rode it for the first time last weekend and it rides great, but does it ride as good as my 84 Trek 660? the ride quality is almost the same! The big difference is the Shimano SIS group is simply not in the same league compared with the way superior Suntour Superbe stuff on the Trek. I'm am debating about setting up the Miyata with Suntour Cyclone or Sprint group. The Wolber wheels on the Miyata is a tad heavier then the Torelli's on the Trek, but the tires the seller put on the Miyata is lighter and narrower then on the Trek, 19 vs 25; the skinner higher pressure tires made the Miyata ride a just a tad harsher. Both the Miyata and the Trek frame do not have the noodle like feeling I got from the Italian frames of the same era.

Fred Smedley

FYI Miyata had Carbon bikes also.

Fasteryoufool

It's not really a cult, you know; it's more like a collective.

Resistance is Futile. You will be assimilated.

KonAaron Snake 

Thanks Kevin, your's is a beauty as well. I'm hoping to have it built by the end of April.

Pompiere

Another 310 rider. I bought it new in '84. It fits me well and is comfortable on long rides so I'm planning to ride it in a MS150 ride this summer.

miyata man

By far the best bike I've ever owned was my '87 Team Miyata. It was a long coming solution to owning something that
a. Was not a Trek
b. Was not a crappy aluminum Trek
c. Won a lot of impromptu block long sprints against status symbol cars between red lights downtown. Normally by the fourth or fifth one a cop in proximity or a popped clutch stole my thunder but I feel I did my part for bicycle awareness.
d. DA gruppo came standard

Thought I was making a compromise not getting a vintage Italian racer at the time but not now. If I ever find another one I can afford it will be a happy day. Just wondering what year and model would be the most desirable steel Miyata as far as racers? I bet 12k owns it in pristine unobtainable glory.

cia dog

I took the Miyata out for a second ride on Sunday and afterwards I was cleaning it up when I realized something odd I hadn't noticed before...it has a set of Miyata tires on it! Sure they can't possibly be th original tires since their not cracked, but I've never seen Miyata branded tires before and just wondering how the owner I bought it from obtained them.

I put a coat of Mequiars NXT wax on it after cleaning it and now the paint shines real well.

gp88

My first real bike.83 or 84 Pro Miyata when I was in High School.

Had a Huffy "The Wind" and my Dad took me out to Helotes Bicycle(Helotes TX).Took it for a ride outside and I can honestly say that it was one of the best memories of my life. Can't begin to put words to it.Best Dad ever.

miamijim

Miyata had their named stamped on them and primarily used tire manufactured by 'National' which are very good rires. Tires can last a long time if they're stored correctly, last summer I sold a 1980 Miyata with its original tires that had no cracks and soft supple rubber!!!!

Yip812

I didn't even know what I was getting when I got my 310. It was a junker at goodwill. I didn't NEED a new bike, but my bikes were pretty crappy. I still tried to talk myself out of it. It was in such rough shape. But body was good, it shifted flawlessly, brakes seemed to work. And well, it was $3.99. Pulled it apart, got all the rust, grime, grease off, cleaned the chain, got new tires, painted it, and it's awesome. I love it.



Please excuse the paint on the tires, I scrubbed the wheels down and painted them with silver rustoleum. Next time, I'll take the tires off . It has a new seat now because that chain was padlocked to the seat, it wasn't coming off.

Bubu

Ok, I think I'm joining the cult as of today. Just bought a 1990 Miayata 1000lt. Perfect bike for my budget, my taste for lugs and steel, good fit for my short torso and arms and I was starting to get into old bikes alot and came across this one. The bike is near new, little scuffs and scratches but I have to really look for them. The guy even threw in some panniers for a couple'o'bucks more. It wasn't dirt cheap, I think I paid what it was worth (350 canadian dollars). I just hope my 220 pounds won't be too much for the bike, I already like it alot and don't want to part with it. Pics are gonna come when it will be cleaned, Evocet original saddle replaced with Brooks b-17 and bike fitted. Oh, one question, how should I threat the interior of the tubes? Rust converter? (there's no rust but I heard it protects...)

In Miyata I trust.