1981 Miyata 912 'Orange Crush' - fun build + thanks
01-22-20, 03:57 PM
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1981 Miyata 912 'Orange Crush' - fun build + thanks
This project started out after a C&V gathering hosted by jjhabs and consider this frameset a VERY nice party favor handout! Thank you, John.
Never having owned a Miyata, this frame looked promising and sortly a nice slice of company storyline to catch my interest.
Also present at the show and tell, ride and feast at jjhabs museum was fellow forum member Steve Whitlatch, whom quickly offered me another 912 that he painted! Much larger frameset, he said just take it for the parts. Most appreciated and thank you to Schwinn Meister Steve.
I then handed that frameset off to fellow forum member Senrab. Hope he pipes in about that build and progress.
Starting pic. A metaphor and play on the 🚲
Never having owned a Miyata, this frame looked promising and sortly a nice slice of company storyline to catch my interest.
Also present at the show and tell, ride and feast at jjhabs museum was fellow forum member Steve Whitlatch, whom quickly offered me another 912 that he painted! Much larger frameset, he said just take it for the parts. Most appreciated and thank you to Schwinn Meister Steve.
I then handed that frameset off to fellow forum member Senrab. Hope he pipes in about that build and progress.
Starting pic. A metaphor and play on the 🚲
Last edited by crank_addict; 01-22-20 at 05:06 PM.
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01-22-20, 04:25 PM
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Here's the bones as gifted, complete with early Trek chainstay protector decal.
1st year Miyata own produced double butted tubing and 1st among bicycle makers for their own frames. Being 1981 was a transitional year for the 912 and tubing, some are Tange Champion (of sort) OR Miyata double butted. Scale shows this Miyata tubed is fairly hefty. Tange fork crown and steerer tube.
1st year Miyata own produced double butted tubing and 1st among bicycle makers for their own frames. Being 1981 was a transitional year for the 912 and tubing, some are Tange Champion (of sort) OR Miyata double butted. Scale shows this Miyata tubed is fairly hefty. Tange fork crown and steerer tube.
01-22-20, 04:26 PM
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It's the little things
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I will chime in hopefully this weekend with pics!
Lookscrank_addict. Always love your builds! Can't wait for full reveal.
Lookscrank_addict. Always love your builds! Can't wait for full reveal.
01-22-20, 04:46 PM
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The type 912 was Miyata's third from top model in 1981, called semi-pro. Also available seperately as frameset.
These did not have fender / rack mounts as later started in 1982.
Here's clips from the 1981 and 1982 catalog.
1981 - Miyata double butted
1981 - orange with black outlined lugs
These did not have fender / rack mounts as later started in 1982.
Here's clips from the 1981 and 1982 catalog.
1981 - Miyata double butted
1981 - orange with black outlined lugs
Last edited by crank_addict; 01-23-20 at 12:55 AM.
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01-22-20, 05:57 PM
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A 912 F/F 'gifted'? In MY size? You're now on my 'Ihateyou' list! j/k of course. 
(mostly -- but green with envy)
How do you intend to build this one?
Enjoy the ride!!!!
(mostly -- but green with envy)How do you intend to build this one?
Enjoy the ride!!!!
01-22-20, 06:13 PM
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Build decision~
1: Full swap from Steve's donor bike.
Started down that path but was second guessing the 600 Arabesque partial and clincher wheelset. However I did use some of it including the way neato SR Superlight stem. The partial Arabesque is going on another Japan made frameset - project.
The seat post fit but slight undersized in diameter. I found another in 26.8, a non branded though believe its Italian made with Ti bolt, close to zero offset.
2: I then decided on a mix of vintage Suntour, triple Sugino crank, bar-ends, Lepree triple pulley derailleur, Sprint hubs and tubular rims.
Scrapped that idea but don't recall why. Ever the fan of Suntour, I likely changed my mind that this model Miyata always had Shimano but I sour about Arabesque. I wanted bulletproof - non index Shimano.
Select box 3, please.
3: Among my forgotten I re-discovered the mighty terrific and all 'smoothy friction' Shimano 600 -- 6207 EX. This stuff though was rather scuffed up so it took a bit of rework and carry the original sheen.
I did resort to Cane Creek hoods and from eBay, a pair of beautiful, near new 6207 EX long reach calipers. The short reach I had was just shy to work for this frame with 700c wheels plus the pair I had were for recessed mount.
1: Full swap from Steve's donor bike.
Started down that path but was second guessing the 600 Arabesque partial and clincher wheelset. However I did use some of it including the way neato SR Superlight stem. The partial Arabesque is going on another Japan made frameset - project.
The seat post fit but slight undersized in diameter. I found another in 26.8, a non branded though believe its Italian made with Ti bolt, close to zero offset.
2: I then decided on a mix of vintage Suntour, triple Sugino crank, bar-ends, Lepree triple pulley derailleur, Sprint hubs and tubular rims.
Scrapped that idea but don't recall why. Ever the fan of Suntour, I likely changed my mind that this model Miyata always had Shimano but I sour about Arabesque. I wanted bulletproof - non index Shimano.
Select box 3, please.
3: Among my forgotten I re-discovered the mighty terrific and all 'smoothy friction' Shimano 600 -- 6207 EX. This stuff though was rather scuffed up so it took a bit of rework and carry the original sheen.
I did resort to Cane Creek hoods and from eBay, a pair of beautiful, near new 6207 EX long reach calipers. The short reach I had was just shy to work for this frame with 700c wheels plus the pair I had were for recessed mount.
Last edited by crank_addict; 01-22-20 at 06:26 PM.
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01-22-20, 06:46 PM
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Purists, be nice. I realize the chosen 600 group is later than the original but its greatly improved, yet keeps in the vintage spirit.
Above is a pic of Avocet's racing pedal made by Ofmega. I matched it with an Avocet racing saddle (Viscount made) and from fellow forum member Francophile, a NOS Avocet 20 cyclometer (thank you, Jason).
Funny how I've given many of them away but now fondly wanted one for this build!
Anyways, the receiver was an odd type and not for a fork mount. I ended up dissecting with a Dremel and re-bond the pickup 90°. Can't say much about the clunky look but for the wires, I shortened them and using shrink tubing, hid along the front brake cable outer.
Avocet 20 round hub magnet and pickup unit
Brand new Avocet 20!
Above is a pic of Avocet's racing pedal made by Ofmega. I matched it with an Avocet racing saddle (Viscount made) and from fellow forum member Francophile, a NOS Avocet 20 cyclometer (thank you, Jason).
Funny how I've given many of them away but now fondly wanted one for this build!
Anyways, the receiver was an odd type and not for a fork mount. I ended up dissecting with a Dremel and re-bond the pickup 90°. Can't say much about the clunky look but for the wires, I shortened them and using shrink tubing, hid along the front brake cable outer.
Avocet 20 round hub magnet and pickup unit
Brand new Avocet 20!
Last edited by crank_addict; 01-22-20 at 07:04 PM.
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01-22-20, 06:57 PM
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I have a correct matching 600 headset but its too boogered up externally, so the original Tange Levin remains.
Shimano 600 / 6207 EX sealed bearing hubs and 600 six speed cog.
Shimano 600 / 6207 EX sealed bearing hubs and 600 six speed cog.
01-22-20, 07:29 PM
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And finally, about the rims. French Super Champion Arc en Ciel 36 spoke, silver anodized (not typical polished) tubular. They were a mess of crusty RED Tubasti! Gave them a scrub of Bar Keepers Friend in liquid form, which rapidly removed the mess and preserved the finish! Easy peasy.
Being Panasonic owned a large chunk in Miyata, I originally planned to mount Panaracer Practice 270 tubulars. Boring.
Rather decided to use these juicy orange and tan, immaculate Wolber Team in 22 width. I think this rubber 'pop's.
1981 Miyata 912
(23") 58cm seat tube / 55cm top tube / 100cm wheelbase / 41cm chainstay
Weight as depicted 22.8 lbs.
Thanks all
///////////////////////////////
Ps. Long live Miyata! Its 2020 and here one can buy a 'new' steel lugged frame.
https://www.miyatabike.com/miyata/lineup/the_miyata/the_miyata_frameset.html
Being Panasonic owned a large chunk in Miyata, I originally planned to mount Panaracer Practice 270 tubulars. Boring.
Rather decided to use these juicy orange and tan, immaculate Wolber Team in 22 width. I think this rubber 'pop's.
1981 Miyata 912
(23") 58cm seat tube / 55cm top tube / 100cm wheelbase / 41cm chainstay
Weight as depicted 22.8 lbs.
Thanks all
///////////////////////////////
Ps. Long live Miyata! Its 2020 and here one can buy a 'new' steel lugged frame.
https://www.miyatabike.com/miyata/lineup/the_miyata/the_miyata_frameset.html
Last edited by crank_addict; 01-23-20 at 12:42 AM.
01-22-20, 07:34 PM
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Neat bike and build. I'm a huge fan of miyatas. My racing bike was a '91 Team Miyata and it was one of the nicest riding bikes I have ever owned. Not surprised at the weight on this bike; Miyata built great bikes but they were not light even by the standards of the day.
01-23-20, 03:18 AM
#16
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Beautiful!
I have a 1980 orange 912 ive been collecting parts for. I cant wait to ride it. i bet its sweet
I have a 1980 orange 912 ive been collecting parts for. I cant wait to ride it. i bet its sweet
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01-23-20, 08:09 AM
#18
Just call me Carrie
My son just asked if I could get him one like that.
we’re in the middle of making his pink (inherited) bike orange.
Gorgeous color. I love it!
we’re in the middle of making his pink (inherited) bike orange.
Gorgeous color. I love it!
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I was going to have a good signature but apparently I'm too verbose.
01-23-20, 08:22 PM
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PM me your cotters
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Can't get over how much those tires jibe with the paint! It's meant to be.
Avocet cyclometer looks great on there. Am I mistaken, or did you use a long run of heatshrink to lock the Avocet's cable onto the brake cable housing? That's slick!! I would've never thought of that.
Curious though, did the paint look that good when you got it, or did you employ some black magic wizardry to get that lustre on things?
I've always eyeballed these Miyatas and some of the others they contract-built bikes for (seems like there's a dozen or two). Always tempted, but never actually bought one. Some day ....
Avocet cyclometer looks great on there. Am I mistaken, or did you use a long run of heatshrink to lock the Avocet's cable onto the brake cable housing? That's slick!! I would've never thought of that.
Curious though, did the paint look that good when you got it, or did you employ some black magic wizardry to get that lustre on things?
I've always eyeballed these Miyatas and some of the others they contract-built bikes for (seems like there's a dozen or two). Always tempted, but never actually bought one. Some day ....
01-23-20, 09:03 PM
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Paint reminds me of my 1977 Centurion Semi Pro, really eye-catching(!) easy on the eyes pearl orange.
My own 912 is a 1984 model and tips the scales at 24# with modern pedals and one cage, all stock new 600EX and the saddle is no lightweight just a cheap WTB SpeedV.
The orange tires look worth keeping clean, I remember I had Michelin Liberty tubulars on my PX10 with the same color tread.
These bike's frame geometry is easy to like, 74ST 73HT, the same as all of the better Schwinn models of the later 80's.
My own 912 is a 1984 model and tips the scales at 24# with modern pedals and one cage, all stock new 600EX and the saddle is no lightweight just a cheap WTB SpeedV.
The orange tires look worth keeping clean, I remember I had Michelin Liberty tubulars on my PX10 with the same color tread.
These bike's frame geometry is easy to like, 74ST 73HT, the same as all of the better Schwinn models of the later 80's.
