A Friendly Gesture - Gifted an Early '80s Pro-Miyata
02-17-21, 07:59 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,249
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,844 Times
in
609 Posts
A Friendly Gesture - Gifted an Early '80s Pro-Miyata
Hello folks!
This morning a gentlemanly friend of mine (a retired school teacher who rides in same circle as my uncle) asked me if I wanted his old Pro-Miyata, which he purchased new. It happens to be a 60cm frame which is close enough to my ideal size, and features some nice components, so I couldn't say no!
There's some surface rust around the bottom bracket, under the top tube on the seat post lug joint, and along the cable guides up top, and the decals are in fair to poor condition but still hanging on... Lots of grime but a lot of it wiped off during my quick inspection after getting it home. He said the only components he recalls replacing were the wheels, which now have Mavic MA 40 rims laced to sealed Suntour Cyclone II hubs. The front still spins nicely, but the rear freewheel was clogged up so I couldn't determine anything about the hub before I put it in storage.
Anyway, in storage it will stay for a while until I finish up a Mercian and a Carlton, but I haven't had a bicycle gifted to me in years and I feel honored that this fellow trusts me to do justice to his old steed, which he said he "easily did 100,000 miles on." I have no reason to doubt it!
I reckon it dates from between 1981-1983 based on a bit of research done on the forum and a PDF version of the 1982 catalog that I found online this morning. Anyone who knows better is welcome to chime in, please, as such bikes are not my usual cup o' tea! I'm also interested in confirmation regarding the model of the brake levers so that I can source some proper hoods... I believe they're an older version of the Dia-Compe AGC levers but don't match the 251s I've seen online, what with the little plastic bit on top, though another thread I discovered had someone refer to this exact one as AGC also. I'm also surprised that the headset is Galli. Is that typical for these? Cheers!
-Gregory
This morning a gentlemanly friend of mine (a retired school teacher who rides in same circle as my uncle) asked me if I wanted his old Pro-Miyata, which he purchased new. It happens to be a 60cm frame which is close enough to my ideal size, and features some nice components, so I couldn't say no!
There's some surface rust around the bottom bracket, under the top tube on the seat post lug joint, and along the cable guides up top, and the decals are in fair to poor condition but still hanging on... Lots of grime but a lot of it wiped off during my quick inspection after getting it home. He said the only components he recalls replacing were the wheels, which now have Mavic MA 40 rims laced to sealed Suntour Cyclone II hubs. The front still spins nicely, but the rear freewheel was clogged up so I couldn't determine anything about the hub before I put it in storage.
Anyway, in storage it will stay for a while until I finish up a Mercian and a Carlton, but I haven't had a bicycle gifted to me in years and I feel honored that this fellow trusts me to do justice to his old steed, which he said he "easily did 100,000 miles on." I have no reason to doubt it!
I reckon it dates from between 1981-1983 based on a bit of research done on the forum and a PDF version of the 1982 catalog that I found online this morning. Anyone who knows better is welcome to chime in, please, as such bikes are not my usual cup o' tea! I'm also interested in confirmation regarding the model of the brake levers so that I can source some proper hoods... I believe they're an older version of the Dia-Compe AGC levers but don't match the 251s I've seen online, what with the little plastic bit on top, though another thread I discovered had someone refer to this exact one as AGC also. I'm also surprised that the headset is Galli. Is that typical for these? Cheers!
-Gregory
Likes For Kilroy1988:
02-17-21, 08:12 PM
#2
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,181
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1562 Post(s)
Liked 1,285 Times
in
856 Posts
Very cool.
Likes For dddd:
02-17-21, 10:06 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Williamsburg, VA Sebastian, FL
Posts: 1,363
Bikes: 1987 Centurion Ironman Master, 1992 Koga Miyata Exerciser, 1992 Schwinn Crosscut
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 209 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 175 Times
in
92 Posts
Yes, indeed, very cool to be rewarded for your dedication to, and appreciation for, vintage bikes. You will love the Superbe components. If it were me I'd swap to bar-end shifters, but of course your mileage may vary.
Likes For 67tony:
02-18-21, 07:40 AM
#4
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,508
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2420 Post(s)
Liked 4,381 Times
in
2,090 Posts
Wow.
Your description set me up for a bike in much worse shape - but that thing is beautiful. A teardown, cleanup, and rebuild, some OA on the BB, and a few small sundries will turn that thing into a minty Pro.
-Kurt
Your description set me up for a bike in much worse shape - but that thing is beautiful. A teardown, cleanup, and rebuild, some OA on the BB, and a few small sundries will turn that thing into a minty Pro.
-Kurt
__________________
Likes For cudak888:
02-18-21, 11:22 AM
#5
Fast Old Guy
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Central California
Posts: 638
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Liked 672 Times
in
177 Posts
Beautiful bike in one of my all-time favorite colors.
If the previous owner really put 100,000 miles on it, the headset could easily be a replacement. I would expect the Cinelli bar is not original and may have been changed when the bike was purchased.
The Hendrickson's Bicycles sticker brings back memories of many hours spent there in the 70's. My Colin Laing track bike was originally owned by Larry Hendrickson, the shop owner.
If the previous owner really put 100,000 miles on it, the headset could easily be a replacement. I would expect the Cinelli bar is not original and may have been changed when the bike was purchased.
The Hendrickson's Bicycles sticker brings back memories of many hours spent there in the 70's. My Colin Laing track bike was originally owned by Larry Hendrickson, the shop owner.
Likes For Straightblock:
Likes For tricky:
02-18-21, 01:56 PM
#7
Stop reading my posts!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,570
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,053 Times
in
780 Posts
That stem looks like a "SR Super Light" but no, it's a Sugino, never seen one with that front "plug" before (velobase says it's a HP-GL and the one they have is a 25.4 bar clamp so "interesting" it's on Cinelli bars)! Very cool bike indeed and should be a very satisfying ride, the one problem area to be aware of is the brake pads for those "aero" Gran Compe calipers: unobtanium AFAIK. The Galli HS looks like a rebranded Stronglight A-9, not unusual to see and a very nice upgrade (but I may be wrong there also was a proprietary Galli HS and don't recall what those looked like). EDITS: no this does appear to be a re-branded A-9 but different in the GALLI brand is also on the cup and not just a pad-print on the top nut (much more typical). You got a PO who went in for some unique and high-end component upgrades, quite a nice gift!
Last edited by unworthy1; 02-18-21 at 02:09 PM.
Likes For unworthy1:
02-18-21, 03:01 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,832
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2336 Post(s)
Liked 2,808 Times
in
1,534 Posts
83 looks about right https://www.ragandbone.ca/PDFs/Miyat...logue%2083.pdf
could be an 82 they are specced very much alike
83
could be an 82 they are specced very much alike
83
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Likes For squirtdad:
02-18-21, 03:47 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,249
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,844 Times
in
609 Posts
Thanks for the comments, folks. I like how eclectic these bikes were right out of the factory... I've seen others with this Sugino stem so I'm sure that is original, and the Shimano 600AX seat post is purposeful but doesn't match any other parts on the bike! Interesting stuff.
I regret that it doesn't have the Superbe hubs any more but maybe I'll lace a set up to don't tubulars to keep around for special occasions... At least it has Cyclone.
I've decided that after I finish the touch up paint on my Mercian I'll let it cure for a few weeks before spraying the clear, so I'll get to tearing down and starting the restoration on the Pro-Miyata within a couple of weeks here. I'm excited!
-Gregory
I regret that it doesn't have the Superbe hubs any more but maybe I'll lace a set up to don't tubulars to keep around for special occasions... At least it has Cyclone.
I've decided that after I finish the touch up paint on my Mercian I'll let it cure for a few weeks before spraying the clear, so I'll get to tearing down and starting the restoration on the Pro-Miyata within a couple of weeks here. I'm excited!
-Gregory
Likes For Kilroy1988:
02-18-21, 03:54 PM
#10
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,843
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2295 Post(s)
Liked 2,043 Times
in
1,252 Posts
It appears that the top-tube shifters may be standard, meaning not of the Symmetric family? I've never seen those.
02-18-21, 04:52 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,249
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,844 Times
in
609 Posts
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour Symmetric LD-2350 (Direct Mount)
02-18-21, 05:12 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
They look like these to me. Says Symmetric...
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour Symmetric LD-2350 (Direct Mount)
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour Symmetric LD-2350 (Direct Mount)
Likes For noobinsf:
02-18-21, 05:28 PM
#13
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,843
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2295 Post(s)
Liked 2,043 Times
in
1,252 Posts
Well there you go. That's gotta be the last thing I don't know!
Likes For clubman:
02-18-21, 09:15 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,040
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times
in
521 Posts
83 looks about right https://www.ragandbone.ca/PDFs/Miyat...logue%2083.pdf
could be an 82 they are specced very much alike
83
could be an 82 they are specced very much alike
83
02-18-21, 09:51 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,330
Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 786 Post(s)
Liked 516 Times
in
280 Posts
Nice. I spy a 41t chainring too.
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
02-19-21, 12:05 AM
#16
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,630
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4677 Post(s)
Liked 5,790 Times
in
2,279 Posts
Beautiful bike in one of my all-time favorite colors.
If the previous owner really put 100,000 miles on it, the headset could easily be a replacement. I would expect the Cinelli bar is not original and may have been changed when the bike was purchased.
The Hendrickson's Bicycles sticker brings back memories of many hours spent there in the 70's. My Colin Laing track bike was originally owned by Larry Hendrickson, the shop owner.
If the previous owner really put 100,000 miles on it, the headset could easily be a replacement. I would expect the Cinelli bar is not original and may have been changed when the bike was purchased.
The Hendrickson's Bicycles sticker brings back memories of many hours spent there in the 70's. My Colin Laing track bike was originally owned by Larry Hendrickson, the shop owner.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Likes For gugie:
Likes For Straightblock:
02-19-21, 11:22 AM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,249
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,844 Times
in
609 Posts
Rusty mentioned Larry and his shop when I went to pick up the bike and said I would have loved it there. Rusty's from Reedley but apparently he spent enough time at Hendrickson's to have fond memories!
-Gregory
-Gregory
02-19-21, 01:30 PM
#19
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,630
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4677 Post(s)
Liked 5,790 Times
in
2,279 Posts
First shorts were wool + real chamois, I'm pretty sure I got them there as well.
Might have run into you at some point after you were finished making the mods to my Raleigh Super Course MkII over at Big Wheel. ;-)
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-19-21, 05:09 PM
#22
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,597
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3860 Post(s)
Liked 6,450 Times
in
3,190 Posts
You can call it gentlemanly or friendly, but I can also agree with insane.
02-19-21, 05:12 PM
#23
Stop reading my posts!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,570
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,053 Times
in
780 Posts
per the catalog specs they are "aero seat stays" and "oval chain stays" so probably shaped somewhat for cutting wind resistance.
Likes For unworthy1:
Likes For jet sanchEz:
02-19-21, 06:27 PM
#25
Senior Member
Although I raced the next generation Team Miyata with splined tubing, the gold head tube and long point lugs are my favorite gen race bikes from Miyata. My buddy raced a 60cm Pro Miyata circa 1983 and I was on an 86 Team Miyata. Something about the color in the sun along with that gold head tube just had it going on. I will say the Nuovo Record on my bike did run quieter than the Superbe on his bike, and it always bothered him.
Likes For TiHabanero:
