Tuesday, June 30, 2015

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - The Ultimate Sports Touring Build

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle After Restoration

Sport Touring bicycles our one of my favorite types of bicycles that go all the places I like to go.  Bicycles like the Schwinn Voyager 11.8, the Schwinn Le Tour, the Trek 620, some years of the Trek 520 and many other great Sport Touring bicycles.  The Miyata 310 would be one of those many great Sport Touring bicycles.

Sport Touring bicycles fit very well into the style of riding I like.  They are very comfortable, great riding bicycles that I can get a little speed when I want it, I can fit a lot of water on it and a good amount of food and enough supplies to ride all weekend and throw up a tent or ride all day and find a cheap motel and then ride all day again and return home.  

I guess it would hearken back to the old French Cyclotourists from years gone by or bikepackers or trekkers of today.  It's not about stamping out miles as fast as you can and checking power meters and calorie loads.  Its about riding, exploring and seeing whats around the corner.  Its about being out in nature, getting 6 feet from a white tail deer in the woods. (Which I did this past weekend.)  It's about seeing a coyote, which I have seen many times, it's about seeing four bald eagles.  (Which I did this weekend also.)  It's about stopping at a diner in a very small town for dinner and meeting very friendly local people.  Its about seeing whats down that rough road or gravel road.  It's about it all.

The Miyata 310 fits that bill very well.  This Miyata 310 is in descent starting shape and will restore beautifully.  The derailleurs are beautiful Shimano Golden arrows, which are in my opinion the most beautiful ever made.  The brake levers are very nice, the crank is a beautiful Signature crank.  The brake calipers are nice Shimano calipers that are nearing the dual pivot design but not quite there yet.

I think I am going to go all out on the Miyata 310.  I am going to try a leather saddle I have been want to check out for a while.  I am deciding yet on leather handlebar tape or maybe something more cushy for long riding.  I think the tires are going to be Panasonic Panaracers.  I want to put a really nice saddle bag on the Miyata, I have been wanting to try an Acorn bag for a while too but I don't know yet.  I don't want the next owner to not use it.  

The Miyata 310 will also receive a total restoration along with new cables, new cable housings, new tire tubes, new brake levers hoods and new brake pads.  I have not decided yet, I kinda like the Shimano brake calipers on the 310 but I also have been thinking of some Tektro dual pivots so we will see.

As I said the Miyata 310 is in descent starting shape so lets get started.  I can't wait to test ride the 310!!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Stem & Hanldebars

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Front Brake

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Brake Levers

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Stem

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Headset

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Front Half

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Golden Arrow Shift Levers

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Down Tube Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Saddle Area

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Triple Butted Cr-Mo Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Front 
Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Crank

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Golden Arrow Front Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Chain Stay

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Golden Arrow Rear Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Pedal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Outdoor Shot

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle Before
Out Door Shot

With the frame stripped of components I see the paint is in really good shape, it is just dirty and dull.  The decals are beat up however and I am going to see what I can find to replace the decals.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Top Tube Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Down Tube Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Shift Lever Boss

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Seat Lug

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Triple Butted CR-MO Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Made In Japan Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Seat Lug

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Seat Stays

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Chain Stays

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Drop Outs

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Fork

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Fork Crown

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Fork Blades

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Fork Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

The Frame polished beautifully.  The color sparked and pops and the read is the perfect accent color.  The scuffs mostly polished out.  I think my favorite part of this frame is the red lug outlines.  I do need to do something about those decals, well the top tube, down tube and head tube decals, the rest are really nice.  Overall I am super pleased with the results of the frame.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Red Out Lined Lug Lines - So Cool!!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Top Tube Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Down Tube Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Seat Lug Area - Cool Decals!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Miyata Chain Stay Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Fork

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Fork Blades

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Frame Polished
Fork Drop Outs

The bottom bracket and headset where in descent shape.  A little time in the crock pot and some polishing on the industrial polishers along with new bearings and the headset and bottom bracket look fantastic and spin super smooth.  I don't think there was many miles on either the headset or bottom bracket.  I really like the look of the headset installed, it had a solid look to it.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Bottom Bracket & Headset - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Bottom Bracket & Headset - Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Pressing Headset Cups

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Headset Bearings - Packed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Headset - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Headset - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bottom Bracket
Bearings Packed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Bottom Bracket Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Complete

The adjustable stem is going and being replaced with a nice SR stem.  Those adjustable stems are really horrible stems, they are ugly and tend to really flex and come loose when bracing against the stem.  It is better to use tall stems or a regular stem in the correct size then using the adjustable stem.  

The handlebars are in good shape, the old bar tape was rotten to the handlebars and took a lot of work to remove.  I cleaned and polished the stem and handlebars and both turned out fantastic.  I forgot to take a before photo of the stem.  Installed the handlebars and stem look great, I am very pleased with the results.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Handlebars - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Handlebars - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Handlebars - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Handlebars - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - SR Stem - Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Stem - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Handlebars - Polished
Poor Photo

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Stem & Handlebars
Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Stem & Handlebar
Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Stem & Handlebars - Installed - Beautiful!! 

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Stem & Handlebars
Installed
The brake levers are in descent starting shape.  One of the levers have a little staining though.  The brake lever hoods will be replaced but have not decided on gum or black yet.  The brake levers polished beautiful and will look and work great when complete.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Brake Levers
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Brake Levers
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Brake Levers
Exploded

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Brake Levers
Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Brake Levers
Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Brake Levers
Installed

I like the crank a lot, it is very nice and just very well made.  I broke the crank down and did the polishing, the pieces polished beautifully.  Installed the crank looks fantastic!  I have to decide on the crank bolt dust caps yet.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Crank - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Crank - Exploded

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Crank - Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Crank
Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Crank - Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Crank - Installed

The saddle is fine that was on the Miyata 310 but I am going to replace it with a leather saddle that again I have not decided on which one yet.  The seat post is a nice SR alloy post and is fluted so my favorite!  The seat post polished beautifully and looks great installed.  Still waiting on a saddle choice thought.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Saddle & Seat Post
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Seat Post
Exploded

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Seat Post
Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Seat Post - Installed

Now we are getting to the coolest part of the Miyata 310, the Shimano Golden Arrow components.  I love the Golden Arrow stuff, it works so well and is so beautiful.  The alloy they used polishes so well.  I love it!.  There is a smoothness to the Golden Arrow components that in so nice.

The shift levers are so nice and so smooth.  I cleaned the levers and did the polishing that turned the levers into little jewels.  With everything polished I greased the discs inside and they function so smooth and easy!  I love this stuff!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shift Levers
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shift Levers - Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shift Levers - Installed

The Golden Arrow derailleurs are amazing.  I broke down the derailleurs and did the cleaning and polishing.  The derailleurs polished fantastic!!  With everything cleaned and polished and all the pivot points lubricated the derailleurs function perfect and look amazing installed.  Amazing!!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Derailleurs - BEfore

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Exploded

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Front Derailleur - Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Rear Derailleur - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Rear Derailleur - Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Rear Derailleur - Exploded

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Rear Derailleur - Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Rear Derailleur - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Rear Derailleur - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Golden Arrow
Rear Derailleur - Installed

The brake calipers are better Shimano brake calipers from the era.  They are not dual pivot of today or anything but they look good and work very well.  They are a little rough but should restore beautifully.

I cleaned all the pieces and spent a good amount of time polishing the pieces.  I assembled the brake calipers and installed new brake pads.  The calipers look great and should work very well, I am pleased with the results.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Brake CalipersBefore

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Brake CalipersBefore

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Brake CalipersExploded

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Brake CalipersPolished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Brake CalipersComplete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Front Brake CalipersInstalled

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Shimano Rear Brake CalipersInstalled

Te completes the main body components, I am super excited with the Miyata 310 so far!!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Bicycle So Far

Yesterday was Wheel Wednesday,  I restored twelve wheels yesterday, I don't think I want to restore that many in a day again.  The two Miyata 310 wheels where part of those twelve.  I have gone back an fourth a bit on the Miyata wheels, for a little bit I was thinking of replacing the wheels with 700c wheels but the original wheels are just to nice to replace.  The Miyata's wheels are fantastic, well made wheels that are beautiful and are just a shame to replace.  I will install very nice Panasonic Panaracer tires to make the wheels even nicer!

I broke down the wheel axles and got to work removing the old hard grease.  With the wheels clean I started the polishing work.  The wheel hubs polished beautifully!! The wheel hubs are really really nice hubs and quite beautiful too!!  The wheels rims where in fantastic shape, they just took a little cleaning and very light polishing.

I cleaned and prepared the axle components and installed new bearings and grease.  The wheel hubs spin beautifully, very smooth!!  With the Panaracer Tires installed the wheels look amazing! I could not be happier with the results of the wheels.  I did notice from the photos I need to clean the tires, I left some greasy hand prints on them!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Front Wheel Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Front Wheel Hub
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Front Wheel Rim
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Front Wheel - Old Tire

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Front Wheel Hub
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Front Wheel Hub
Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Front Wheel Bearings
Packed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Axle Components Ready

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Front Wheel Rim
Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
New Panaracer Tires

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Front Wheel
Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Front Wheel - Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Rear Wheel Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel Rim
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel Hub
Old Grease

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel Hub
Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel Rim
Polished

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel Bearings
Packed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Rear Wheel
Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Rear Wheel Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Wheels Complete
Today I installed the chain and freewheel.  The chain was cleaned and has been soaking in oil for a couple of days.  The chain turned out nice and shows little wear, I think it was replaced before and saw little use as the chain has a more modern shape to it.  The freewheel was dirty and gritty but after a good cleaning and flushing and a lot of lubricating the freewheel looks great and spins great.  Miyata is coming along great! I Love it!!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Chain & Freewheel
Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Chain & Freewheel
Installed

The leather saddle I chose and the handlebar tape is suppose to be here any day and then the Miyata will be completed!

The saddle and handlebar tape came over the weekend so this afternoon I installed both.  I chose a leather Cardiff saddle.  I have heard a lot of good things about the Cardiff saddles from friends I figured it was time to try one.  First good thing is it costs about half of the Brooks name.  I chose the dark brown version.  I really like the protection they but on the underside of the leather.  They say it is anti mold protection and helps keep the leather from getting wet.  It just looks kind of cool to me.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - New Cardiff Saddle

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - New Cardiff Saddle

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
New Cardiff Saddle

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
New Cardiff Saddle - Installed

With the saddle installed I moved on to the new brake lever hoods.  The hoods slid right on and look good.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - New Brake Lever Hoods

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - New Brake Lever Hoods
Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Cardiff Saddle
& New Brake Lever Hoods - Installed

At first I was going to replace the cable housings with the gray but the original red cable housings are so cool and unavailable now.  I cleaned the original cable housings and lubricated the interiors.  The cable housings work well and look great.  With new cable the Miyata really shifts and brakes nicely.  I can't wait to road tune the Miyata.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - New Cables & Cable Housings

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Original Cable Housings
Before

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Cables - Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Cables - Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Cables
Installed

I have used Brooks leather handlebar tape many times but I have really been wanting to try this Tom Ritchey synthetic leather tape for a while.  When I first saw it I was stunned how real it looked and it has the gel backing like gel cork tape.  I installed the handlebar tape and I am extremely happy with it.  It looks as good as the Brooks leather tape and is much softer then Brooks tape.  I love it!

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
New Tom Ritchey Synthetic Leather Handlebar Tape

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - Handlebar Tape
Half Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - New Synthetic Leather
Handlebar Tape - Installed

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade - New Synthetic Leather
Handlebar Tape - Complete
I installed some basic pedals and gave the Miyata a test ride today, fantastic ride, I am actually pretty mad the Miyata is not 60 cm because then I can justify keeping it.  I am still waiting on a new head badge decal, new crank dust caps and I need to mix a touch up paint.  But I am so happy with the results!!

The photo below is a poor photo I can't wait for final photos.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle
Almost Complete
I test road the Miyata 310 again this morning, I just wanted to ride it.  The synthetic leather handlebar tape is even better then I was hoping.  The Panaracer Paseli tires roll so smooth and fast. I had to take some almost final photos.  I will retake then when the decal and dust caps get here.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Handlebars

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Stem & Handlebars

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Head Tube - Old Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Front Brake

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Front Wheel Hub

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Front Wheel Rim

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Handlebars & Synthetic Leather Tape

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Stem

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Front Half

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Golden Arrow Shift Lever

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Cardiff Leather Saddle

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Drive Train

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Golden Arrow Front Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Golden Arrow Front Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Golden Arrow Rear Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Cardiff Leather Saddle

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Rear Brake Caliper

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Rear Wheel Hub

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Almost Complete
Rear

The new head badge decal finally showed up so I am installed it.  It is bigger then the original but it looks so good installed and I like it better being a little bigger.  The new decal really pops against that polished red head tube.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
Damaged Head Badge Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
New Head Badge Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade
New Head Badge Decal Installed - Beautiful!

I ordered this rear saddle bag for the Miyata 310.  It is not to bad in quality but I think I would change a couple things, but then I am very very demanding on saddle bags in my own use.  Overall I think it will work well for some all day riding and it  does look great on the Miyata.

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  New Saddle Bag

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  New Saddle Bag
Installed
 I have been test riding the Miyata quite a bit over the last couple weeks while I waited on the head badge.  It rides fantastic!  It rides fantastic and that with it even being 6-8 cm to small for me.  The Shimano Golden Arrow components function so smooth and so easy.  The Golden Arrow components are my all time favorite components.  In my opinion they are the most beautiful and they function like butter.

 The idea for the Miayat 310 is to bring out it's true Sport Touring capabilities.  The first step is the Panaracer Pasela tires.  The Pasela tires have a wonderful cushy and vibration absorbing ride.  The tires also have a nice light tread to navigate country roads, rough roads, gravel roads and dirt paths.  The tires will get to all the out of way places and still be comfortable all day.

The next step is the leather Cardiff saddle.  I have heard good things about Cardiff saddles and have been wanting to try one.  The saddle has met all expectations and surprised them.  The leather saddle will form to the ride and will be perfect for weekend touring and all day riding.

The last step is the leather and gel handlebar tape.  The leather handlebar looks amazing and feels even better.  It all fits well with the Sport Touring idea.

I then added a saddle bag to carry a little more then a tool kit and spare tube.  There will be enough room for a good amount of food for all day.

I think the best part of the Miyata is the way it looks.  The polished paint came out fantastic.  The Cardiff saddle, the leather handlebar tape and Panaracer tires all compliment each other perfectly.  I love the Miyata.

Miyata Specifications

Frame Size: 21 Inch / 54 cm
Frame Tubing: Triple Butted Cr-Mo
27 Inch Wheels
12 Speeds

Features
All New Brake & Shift Cables
All New Bearings
All New Brake Pads
New Brake Lever Hoods
New Cardiff Leather Saddle
New Leather Handlebar Tape
New Panaracer Pasela Tires
New Saddle Bag
Shimano Golden Arrow Derailleurs & Shift Levers
Beautiful Crank


1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Stem & Handlebars

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
New Head Tube Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Front Brake

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Rim

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
SR Stem

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Shimano Golden Arrow Shift Levers

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Front Half - Poor Photo

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Cardiff Saddle

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
CR-MO Triple Butted Decal

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Drive Train - Poor Photo

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Beautiful Crank

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Beautiful Golden Arrow Front Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Beautiful Golden Arrow Front Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
New Saddle Bag

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Rear Brake Caliper

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Golden Arrow Rear Derailleur

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Hub

1983 Miyata 310 Restoration & Upgrade -  Bicycle Complete

Thank you for the interest.
John Z.

6 comments:

  1. I don't normally think of Grey in my choice of bike colors but that color on the Miyata coupled with the red accents and your excellent paint restoration makes for a truly stunning frame-set and I really love arabesque components-in fact a Miyata introduced me to them. Looking forward to the finished bike

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm pretty sure this is a 1985, not a 1983. The red downstream accent didn't appear until 85/86, and the logo on the seat tube closely resembles the 1985 310, not the 1986. You can check this by searching the web for the 80's Miyata catalogs.

    This would be a good thing for you, since later years of this model were much higher quality, featuring triple butted steel rather than double butted in 1985.

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    Replies
    1. Agree about the year. I bought a 1994 model (back in 1985) and it is double butted tubing. Triple butted tubing I believe started with the 1985 model. I still have my 1984 Miyata 310 and ride it occasionally. Most of it is original even after thousands of miles.

      It is awesome to see this restoration project. Love what you have done.

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  3. Hey John,
    Not sure if you're still checking comments on this old post... hope you do... because i just bought the exact same bike.. I literally just brought it home 30 minutes ago. Didn't know too too much about it but wanted a new restoration project. Funny thing... mine has almost identical scratches on the decals!!! =) I LOVE (!!!) how you cleaned and polished those Golden Arrow parts. Can you share your method? My biggest concern was whether the wheels that came with mine were the original. But looking at your photos, I think they are... Araya?? The shifting on mine is really rough though so it'll need a good tune after the beautification. Hope to ask you more questions... like where you got that awesome head tube decal..!!!!

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  4. I have this same Miyata 310, same color. It was a rescue from a pile of scrap metal ready to be melted down. They gave it to me for $4.

    I overhauled all the bearings. Had wheels retrued, had the rear wheel rebuilt with a Mavic Open Pro rim, replaced tires with Continental 4 Seasons 700cx28. New cables and black cable housings. Installed Brooks B17. Under the saddle is a Jandd saddle bag. Handlebars have Black Cinelli cork tape, which is coming undone. I considering wrapping over the existing handlebar tape with Neubaums black cloth tape--I just like that feel. I also changed out the crank for one with better ability to take on hills. It is wonderful in use but looks too modern and I'm looking for a crank that looks more period but with hill climbing gearing.

    I also have a Rivendell and a Trek, both lugged steel frame. The Miyata is my daily driver and group ride bike. It's not that the Miyata is any lighter, it just rides better and feels better.

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