Tim_Iowa

Nicely done. Looks great!

You can still buy Zefal HPX pumps new, Rivendell and others have them.

ThermionicScott 

Digging the story, glad things are coming together for you, @Phreon! Tell your shop they need to route those brake cables over the bars, though.

Phreon

It has already been mentioned. The bike isn't really fully set up. The headset still needs to be tightened, install the real seat post and seat, etc. They're still working on it. I'm surprised at how well the old Dia Compes grab. And nothing has been broken in yet...

Phreon

I'm thinking MKS AR-2 pedals would work well and not look out of place on this bike. Also, for the life of me I can't explain it, but those are original gum rubber hoods on the Suntour Gran Compe brake levers. I can't fathom how they aren't one bit cracked or sticky.

Also, the last time I visited my Mom and Dad, we found the Cannondale handlebar bag and pannier set this bike wore. I need to hunt down a matching front rack. I still have the original rear, but the front one was lost to the sands of time.

The Golden Boy 

I saw the portion of this story at C&V, there's so much cool stuff to this story.

First-it's your Dad's bike- awesome!

Second- the shop hung on to your bike for 7 years without hearing from you- amazing!

What are you doing for derailleurs? Since you're going with friction shifting, you can use pretty much any derailleurs you choose. IMO ATB/MTB derailleurs were made to have a huge range and be robust enough to withstand abuse. I'm a huge fan of the Suntour XC Pro/XC Comp units.

i also think the MKS Urban Platform pedals with the wire clips are pretty boss.

Phreon

I gave them the old Suntour Cyclone and Vx derailleurs I had, but they said they just couldn't get them to shift smoothly, requiring overshifting to get it to jump to the right gear. Honestly, I was in a bit of a hurry (dropped by on way home to settle up for their work so far) and mildly stunned having seen that bike as a full "rolling chassis" for the first time in 25 years. I looked right at the derailleurs they stuck on it, but I only remember one of 'em is an Ultegra. I found the original Avocet seat with fluted SP stem, so I'll be dropping that off next chance I get. Yeah, that old Avocet is NOT going to remain...

Here's a zoom in of the rear derailleur from the wrong side, if any of you want to play detective before I get back to the shop.

Phreon

The bike is pretty much complete. I need to consider a saddle however, unless I want to stick with the 1980's Avocet Touring I. Any suggestions? I'm not a fan of leather.

otg 

I have a Brooks C-17 on my nearly identical Miyata 615. I'd also be happy to purchase that Avocet Touring saddle for a project I'm working on if you decide to part with it. I'm tying to attach a picture, but photobucket seems to be acting up.

Phreon

Hehe, I keep forgetting to mention I'm not interested in a leather saddle. I'm looking for ideas for a modern synthetic saddle.

Thanks

otg 

The C-17 is not leather, here is a link.BROOKS ENGLAND LTD. | CAMBIUM

Phreon

Beyond the maint. hassle with a traditional leather seat, I tried a Brooks and I'd rather sit on a sawhorse. Plus, I don't feel like spending $160 to join the Brooks Saddle Cult. Beautiful bike, btw. 81? Mine's the same color scheme.

Bezalel

What about a set of Newbaum's tape? Maroon should go well and won't look out of place.

Phreon

Looking at the cost/part spreadsheet, it's already wearing Newbaum's, only I specified black. That's the color this bike "wore" after my dad removed the goofy foam wrap (looked like pipe insulation) the bike came from the factory with.

Phreon

It's almost finished.... Just a few more tweaks. They have a pair of VO Touring pedals in stock. I think I'll go with those.

I'm probably going to just go with the old Avocet until I figure out what my butt "wants".

mountaindave 

+1 Awesome story!! Have you shown your dad yet?

Phreon

Nope...

Lascauxcaveman 

Good call, a lot of people love those things. Don't feel it has to be tossed just because it's old.

The Golden Boy 

The C-17 isn't a leather saddle.

IMO it feels entirely different than my B-17- and I GREATLY prefer the C-17 to any other saddle I've tried- to include the several Avocet Touring II saddles I have.

IMO again, it would be entirely foolish to discount the most badass saddle in the universe because it comes from the company that's been known to make among the finest touring saddles for 100+ years.

Keep in mind, you've got a bike that people would shank their moms for.


I replaced the Avocet Touring II with a slate Brooks Cambium saddle on my 1985 Trek 720

Phreon

After all this time, she's home...

billnuke1 

My brand new 1000 LT. 1986 I think. Still had black rims. Brakes had never touched them! I have to adjust the cables. All stretched! Came with a "new" Bianchi and a "new" Univega!
The Miyata doesn't compare to any bikes that I have. How rides it is hard to put into words. Many extra miles!

mountaindave 

Just stunning. I see you also have a penchant for vintage houses too.

Not sure I'd shank my mom for it, but I'd sell part of her liver or maybe a kidney for it.

Phreon

I had intended for this thread to die off (not really the right group) and to continue in the one I posted in C&V, but that thread seems to have vaporized?

Woj75

Phreon

"What ended up being the drive train in the end? Nicely done on the build!"

The rear is an Ultegra handling a 9 cog cassette, the front, an unbranded Suntour derailleur for the Sugino triple crank. The Suntour Superbe bar end shifters handle shifting well. The rear is a little fiddly with the 9 speed cassette, but it's very precise and easy to get used to. It's all driving 700C Origin8/Velocity Dyad wheels.

Dad's eyes lit up when he saw the old girl in her final form. I'm glad he got to see it; Covid took him in late 2020.