raine.in.boi

I'm the original owner of a Miyata 912. I'm in Boise, Idaho, and want to sell it, but I don't know what it's worth.

It's Miyata's semi-pro model.

More details:
Size: 50 cm.
Year: 1985
Color: Metallic black

All original components, except tires and handlebar tape.

Triple-butted Chromoly tubing.

Shimana 600 EX derailleurs, cluster, crank set, pedals, brake set, hubs.

Includes the original Miyata water bottle.

One of the leather toe-clip straps is ripped. The paint is chipped in places.

If you need any more information to put a value on it, just let me know!

Thank you!

(Looks like I can't post photos yet (newbie), so will try without the photos.)

TugaDude

You can post pictures to your gallery on your username page.

I'm a Miyata fan and the 912 is a very nice bike. Yours is a small one and that limits the market somewhat. And condition is very important, so we really need lots of photos. At least one showing the entire bike from the drive side and then lots of closeups of the components helps.

raine.in.boi

Thanks for the advice, TugaDude!

I uploaded a bunch of photos of the bike to my gallery and think you should be able to see them now.

I notice the stem is not Shimano. I have a vague memory of having it changed out at some point.

I love this bike, and would keep it, but it's never really fit me properly. And I have two other bikes now that I also love, and they both fit perfectly.

If you need photos of anything else, just let me know!

TugaDude

Pic assist...

TugaDude

It is a good, solid bike. The frame appears to be in fine shape and the paint same. Black is somewhat easier to touch up, compared with many other colors, so that's a plus. The components are good, solid Shimano 600, again a plus.

Yes, the stem isn't original but I don't think that is concerning one way or another.

The size will limit it to the shorter among us, so that is a factor. Still, I could see it at $250.00 plus in many markets. The handlebar wrap could be improved with some cheap black cork tape.

SurferRosa

Did Shimano ever make a stem? I guess they did, but I've never seen one.

https://velobase.com/ListComponents....1-9f199d0d2106

BMC_Kid 

I think the Shimano aero stem is one the prettiest quill stems ever produced. I have them on half a dozen of my bikes and have that many, maybe more in my parts collection for my next build. Here’s one on my Dave Tesch built Specialized Team Allez.

SurferRosa

Never seen one up close. Can you share a pic or detail of the clamp bolt?

SurferRosa

@BMC_Kid, are both bolts accessed from here?

BMC_Kid 

yes, as new in the box, the stem comes with a long hex Allen wrench. This is used to tighten both the stem to the fork and stem to the handlebars. I have a couple of the earliest versions on my 1983 Team and Pro Miyatas with original AX handle bars. Those are marked as Dura Ace AX models. Then when AX was dropped, I’ve got a couple of those versions, as well as the latest from the late 80s. I’m not sure when they stopped production on them. I’ve also got a Shimano 600 AX version.

TugaDude

From velobase.com

Component Name Brand Model Group Years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shimano HS-6300, 600 AX Shimano HS-6300 600 AX 1981 - 1984
Shimano HS-6400, 600 Ultegra Shimano HS-6400 600 Ultegra 1988 - 1998
Shimano HS-6207, 600EX Shimano HS-6207 600EX 1985 - 1988
Shimano HS-7400, Dura-Ace Shimano HS-7200 Dura-Ace 7400 1988 - 1998
Shimano HS-7300, Dura-Ace AX Shimano HS-7300 Dura-Ace AX 1981 - 1984
Shimano HS-7200, Dura-Ace EX Shimano HS-7200 Dura-Ace EX Early 1980's

cyclophilia 

$250 on a good day, be prepared to sell for less.

wrk101

Very market dependent. I am seeing a rapid decline in most vintage downtube shifter bikes. Hopefully Boise is better!

raine.in.boi

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and suggestions!

I replied earlier, but I think my post got deleted because I provided a link to an ad for a larger Miata in Seattle, which was listed for $650. That seemed wildly optimistic to me, even though it was in almost-new condition. It might even be more than what mine cost new.

Good eye on the handlebar tape, TugaDude. It's hockey tape. (I know. Sacrilegious. But, hey, I'm Canadian.)

TC1

As noted previously, prices vary tremendously. Looking at recent sales on eBay, the range for 17 bikes goes from $28 to $1100. At least one frameset sold for $390 plus shipping recently. I cannot provide links, as my account here is insufficiently aged.

I just bought a Metallic Black '86 a couple weeks ago, that is not as nice as yours in a couple respects, and paid toward the lower-end of that range -- that was a very good deal here, but your area might be different. Around here, one is unlikely to buy a rideable Miyata road bike for less than $250, and a very nice one with provenance like yours may get twice that.

raine.in.boi

Thanks, TCI. Could you tell me where you are -- approximately? (I'm in Boise, Idaho.) I'm curious to know where the value would be so much higher.

TC1

Near Chicago. There are a sufficient number of bike commuters here to keep resale values of even older, quality, bikes reasonably high. Probably also does not hurt that there isn't a proper mountain within 1500 miles, so there's no need to buy latest and greatest drivetrain tech, and it really doesn't matter if your bike weighs 30 pounds.
Looking at my local craigslist, virtually all of the road bikes that appear to be in rideable condition and are offered for less than $300 are Schwinns and Raleighs -- or worse. Or they are extreme sizes.