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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Almost Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle as Found & Weekend Haul - Before Restoration |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike 1983 Miyata Trail Runner found at the same time. |
Last weekend I found two 1980's Miyata mountain bikes at a farm bicycle sale. Most of the bikes at this sale are very rough but that is why I like the sale so much and go every time it is held. I actually did not know it was being held that weekend, I had to go up to Kenosha, Wisconsin for a funeral and then was heading up to Milwaukee but I thought I would back track a few exits and head west into the country just in case the sale was happening. I am glad I did.
I am a huge fan of mountain bikes for the era of about 1988 and before. They where very well built bikes that where not produced in crazy numbers and many many price points of the 1990's. The geometry is basically a beefed up touring bike with 26 inch wheels. Many where marketed as mountain touring bikes and have all the rack brazeons and even some had triple water bottle cage mounts. They remind me very much off the 650 b Randonneuring French bikes of the 1930's-50's, cycle tourist or camping bicycles. Best of all they are steel lugged frames that ride beautifully.
What I like also about the early mountain bikes is that they usually have a very nice crank, not the stamped metal chain rings you see on a lot of the over produced 1990's mountain bikes. The chain rings are also a lot more like a touring bike with a 28-38-48 range.
I want to make it clear that I do not dislike 1990's mountain bikes a lot of the upper end 1990's mountain bikes are wonderful machines. I like in the late 1980's when Bridgestone developed what is the geometry seen in the 1990's and the wonderful line of mountain bikes Bridgestone and Specialized put out. I just don't like the over produced or mass produced mountain bike lines of the 1990's when the makers made a lot of compromises to hit some low price points.
I was having a bad week last week in the shop, the Holdsworth frame powder coating was not going well, I had to strip the first attempt at the powder coating, I never had it happen before but the powder when cured had almost an oat meal texture. I talked to Prismatic and they sent me new powder, they thought maybe a bad batch. I also had been putting many hours in and need a break or something new. The Miyata Valley Runner is it.
I am thinking of keeping the Valley runner for myself so I need to get most of the work done in one day so I could get back to customer work. At first I was going to powder coat the frame because the light blue paint looked very rough but I didn't want to loose that color and paint either so I tried to save it.
The big Trail Runner is already being stripped of its paint, its just to far gone. Actually its not that big of a frame, its only 23 inches which is big for a mountain bike but that head tube looks like a head tube for a 27 inch road bike. It is mainly the geometry of the early mountain bikes that makes it come out that way.
The Valley Runner looks rough and it is in some ways but it has a lot of cool things going for it. The color of course, the crank will be beautiful, the frame is Triple Butted Cromoley, I love those Die-Comp cantilever brakes and it has early Deore 7 Speed indexed thumb shift levers. The wheels are descent, over all its pretty light for a mountain bike. One thing for me though is that stem has to go, Its a fine stem, I just don't like it.
We don't have many mountains here in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, which is why I don't have a true mountain bike. However we do have wonder rolling farm roads, rolling gravel roads, wonderful trails so I think the Valley runner will make a perfect camping or dirt touring bike and that will be what I am shooting for.
I also started taking before photos outside just to compare with the after outdoor photos. I am putting one outdoor before photos below for now but I do have all the normal before photos but outdoors and will post them later.
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Outdoors |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Handlebars |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Stem |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Brake Levers |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Deore Thumb Shift Levers |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Front Brake Area |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Cool Die-Comp Cantilevers |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Stem |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Head Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Front |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Down Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Seat Area |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Triple Butted Cr-Mo Decal |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Beautiful Signature Crank |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Front Derailleur |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Seat Lug |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Rear Cool Die-Comp Canties |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Rear Derailleur |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub Wrong 5 Speed Freewheel |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Before |
I kind of set a frantic pace on the Miyata Valley Runner because I am keeping it for myself, I don't get much time to work on my own bicycles. I stripped everything down in record time and got to the frame polishing. The frame paint is very rough, not many chips but a lot of deep scuffs and small chips. Some deep ground in dirt and a lot of dullness. I love the matching color head badge decal.
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Head Tube - Deep stains in the white paint. |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Top Tube Scuffs and Scrapes |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Top Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Down Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Down Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Bottom Bracket - Heavy Duty! |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Rear Cantilever Brake Studs |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Chain Stays |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Rear Drop Outs |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Fork |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Fork Crown |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Fork Brake Studs |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Fork Drop Outs |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Before - Fork Blades |
I started the polishing process with a very course grit that I only ever use by hand but i used a power polisher with it this time. The very course grit cut away a lot the of the stains and the scuffs and really improved a lot of the areas. Using a very curse grit in that fashion can not be done offten because after a few times there would be no paint left. The compound is like a very course brownish grey mud that I smear all around.
With the very course grit done I worked through the normal process. The frame really cleaned up nice and polished nice. The blue paint looks really nice considering where it was and the white head tube looks great with the stains removed. I am not sure how long it will last in this condition but I have been looking for a matching powder color just in case. The paint color was so worth keeping though!! I love it!!
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Head Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Top Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Down Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Seat Lug |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Seat Stays |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Rear Cantie Studs |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Chain Stays |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Fork |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Fork Crown |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Fork Cantie Studs |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Blades |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Frame Polished - Studs |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Lots of Small Pieces |
The headset was in a little bit of rough shape. The grease was so fried on and the bearings where shot. I put the pieces in the crock pot and got new bearings out. After polishing though the headset looks great and with the new bearings and grease it spins great too.
The bottom bracket was in rough shape. One of the bearing cages was ripped apart and grinding with the bearings. I cleaned the pieces and replaced the bearings. I just loose fit the bearings with no bearing cages. I later replaced the non-drive side bearing cup and I have order a cartridge bottom bracket to replace everything. The bottom bracket just has to much wear and a new cartridge bb will be nice on the Valley Runner.
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Headset & Bottom Bracket - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Headset & Bottom Bracket - Polished - New Bearings |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Pressing Headset Cups |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Headset Cups - Pressed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike New Bearings Packed in New Grease |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Headset - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Headset Complete - I like it a lot!! |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bottom Bracket Bearings - Packed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bottom Bracket - Complete - Will be replaced later. |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Headset & Bottom Bracket - Complete |
I really don't like the stem, its a fine stem but I think it could look better. The handlebars are fine handlebars in great shape but they will not be used. A couple months back looking threw someones parts boxes I found a set of Cromoley Bull Moose handlebars that I had to have and would find a bike for them later. I now have found the bike.
Bull Moose handlebars are what was on all the early mountain bikes, they have a double horizontal part of the stem and have the stem and handlebars as one piece. For some reason Bull Moose handlebars faded away in the later 1980's, maybe costs? They are now making a come back and Nitto makes beautiful set of Bull Moose handlebars for Rivendell. I love Bull Moose handlebars!
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Original Stem |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Original Handlebars |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bull Moose Handlebars |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Cr-Mo Decal - Wish it wasn't damaged |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bull Moose Cable Hanger |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bull Moose Handlebars |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bull Moose Handlebars - Installed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bull Moose Handlebars - Installed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bull Moose Handlebars - Installed |
At this time I cleaned and polished the seat post. The seat post polished pretty good, it was a little rough but not bad. Later I will install a Brooks Flyer saddle I have had around for a while. Actually I once found 4 Brooks Flyer saddles all out of the packaging but looking new at a bike store going out of business sale. The one going on the Valley Runner is the last one I have of the four, the second to last went on my Rivendell Albatross like build.
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Seat Post - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Seat Post - Exploded |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Seat Post - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Seat Post - Installed - I really like the seat clamp. |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Seat Post & Handlebars - Installed |
The crank is a fantastic Signature crank with touring sizes versus later mountain bike sizes. Also it can be broken down unlike new stamped steel chain rings. I cleaned the pieces and did the polishing. The crank turned out beautiful with a few scratches that would not polish out. I ran out of new crank bolt dust caps last week so I order more and will install them later. I don't need dust caps for the Miyata but I need them just business wise anyways. When I install the new bottom bracket I will install 8 mm hex key crank bolts and eliminate the dust cap all together. Man does that crank look good installed!!
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Crank - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Crank - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Crank - Exploded |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Crank - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping BikeCrank - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Crank - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Crank - Installed |
I love the Die-Comp cantilever brakes the Valley runner has. So much more class in the design then the later cantilevers. They are basically the cantilever calipers from touring bikes from years before. I cleaned the many pieces and then started the polishing. The levers polished beautiful and with the hardware all polished out the brake calipers look fantastic. I love this stuff!!
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake Calipers - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Die-Comp Cantilever Calipers - Exploded |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake Calipers - Exploded |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Die-Comp Cantilever Brake Calipers - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Die-Comp Cantilever Brake Calipers - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Die-Comp Brake Caliper - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Brake Calipers - Installed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Brake Calipers - Installed |
The derailleurs do not say it anywhere but I am almost positive the derailleurs are Shimano Light Action indexed derailleurs. Very nice derailleurs for the time. The derailleurs where rough with lots of dried dirt. One thing I always check on mountain bikes is how loose are the pivot points on the derailleurs. Mountain bikes see a lot of sand and water and the pivot points can wear and get sloppy. Sloppy pivot points make for sloppy shifting. I got lucky and the pivot points are perfect on the derailleurs. I cleaned everything up and everything polished beautifully! Some good looking and good functioning derailleurs!
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Derailleur - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Derailleur - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Derailleur - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Derailleur - Exploded |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Derailleur - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Derailleur - Installed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Derailleur - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Derailleur - Exploded |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Derailleur - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Derailleur - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Derailleur - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Derailleur - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Derailleur - Installed |
I really like the brake levers. They are Die-Comp levers that have a very light yet beefy feel, a very nice feel that feels very solid at the same time. I disassembled the levers, cleaned and polished the pieces and lubricated the pivot points. The levers turned out really nice and feel even better on the road.
The shift levers are awesome thumb shifters. The front is of course a friction shift but the rear is an early Deore 7 speed indexed, a wonderful shift lever. I am not sure it is original to the Valley Runner, I will check on that later. The levers flushed out and lubricated very nicely and polished well too. I can't wait to ride with them!
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake Lever - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake Lever - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake Levers - Exploded |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake Levers - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake Levers - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Shift Levers - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Shift Levers - One Bolt Exploded! |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Shift LEvers - Compelte |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Shift And Brake Lever - Installed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brake & Shift Lever - Installed |
The wheels are very nice wheels with great rims. The rear wheel had a freewheel on it that I have only seen on a few early 1970's Schwinns, it is not original and has a skip tooth pattern on the lare cog. The freewheel also takes a very small and rare freewheel tool that I ounce found in a box at a swap meet. That strange freewheel would not remove easily, I had to put the freewheel tool in my vise and crank on the wheel as leverage. It finally broke loose.
The wheels cleaned up and polished beautifully. I replaced all the bearings as they where shot. I am pleased with the wheels. They look great and spin wonderfully.
The tires that came on the Valley Runner where replaced not to long ago, or maybe I should say they have not seen many miles but they are starting to crack. I later ordered some nice large 2.30 inch dry condition tires. The originals will work until the new tires arrive. I did not plan out when I started the build so i ordered everything as I went.
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel Before - Strange Freewheel |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel Rim - Before |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Removing Freewheel in the Vise |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Freewheel Broken Free |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Freewheel Tool in the Vise |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel - Old Grease |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel Hub - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel New Bearings - Packed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Axle Pieces - Ready |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Rear Wheel - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Wheel Hub - Old Grease |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Wheel Hub - Polished |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Wheel - New Bearings - Packed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Front Wheel - Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Wheels - Complete - Waiting on new tires. |
With the wheels complete it is time to wire the Miyata Valley Runner. I looked through all my cable housing colors. I thought maybe the Ice Gray but it just wasn't right, I looked at white and black and red and blue and none of them where right. I even looked at cold and then I found the orange at the back, Perfect!!! The orange is the color, it contrast the light blue of the frame so well!! It reminds me of the old Gulf Motor Sports racing colors. I love it!!
I did find the chain was way to short and the new ones I had on hand where also a little to short. I ordered a new longer chain for it instead of taking two new chains and making one, it would be a waste of money.
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike New Cables & Housings |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Wired |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Wired |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Wired |
Time to install my last Brooks flyer of the four I got at the sale. That is a perfect saddle and look for the Miyata Valley Runner! I also installed some cheapy leather grips I have had around that match the saddle perfectly. Its really coming together now.
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Brooks Flyer - Installed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Handlebar Grips Installed |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Handlebar Grips - Installed |
That completes the Miyata Valley Runner until the new stuff arrives. I love it so far!
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete |
I took some semi final outdoor photos before I started riding the Miyata Valley Runner. The new parts will be installed as they arrive. I am waiting on the tires, bottom bracket and chain. I have not decided on a rack system yet. I think I might just go with a big saddle bag and a front Nitto Randonneur style rack. I think that would work plenty for a S24O.
I started riding the Miyata Valley Runner right away and the timing was perfect. We have had a crazy amount of rain the last couple of weeks and the gravel that I ride my Trek 412 with modern components and Cyclocross tires is even getting bogged down. Click here for my 1980 Trek 412 build. The Miyata Valley runner did not sink as much in the soft gravel and mud.
The best part of the Miyata Valley Runner is that it rides nothing like a mountain bike, it rides like an extremely comfortable beefy touring bike. It rides how I expect the Surly Long Haul Truker with 26 inch wheels rides. It is just amazing. I have 118 miles on it in the first week and added near 80 more over the weekend. I can't wait to see the changes with the tires and rack!
Have I mentioned I love this stuff??
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Handlebars |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Head Tube |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Die-Comp Brake |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Cock Pit Area |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete Handlebars - Awesome!! |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Cable Area |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Area |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Brooks Flyer Saddle |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Triple Butted Cr-Mo Decal |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Drive Train - Need Longer Chain. |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Crank |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Derailleur |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete Rear Derailleur Need Longer Chain - Dead gears now. |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Seat Stays |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete - Rear Brake |
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| 1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike Bicycle Semi-Complete |
Gorgeous jobs love those orange accents. I really like the lug work on the early MTBs and that cream head tube is sharp very Riv-esque. Looks like a fun ride
ReplyDeleteWok well done! You have done amazing resorption on each one. The cream color one I have myself still in great shap. I was looking to sale it to someone who is interested. My name is Nate / email: natenet92@yahoo.com.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUSNESS!! Stoked to find your blog! I have just bought a Miyata Valley Runner for fifty bucks and she needs some work. I am a lifelong lover of bicycling but I'm new to working on a bicycle. I want to ride her everywhere.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUSNESS!! Stoked to find your blog! I have just bought a Miyata Valley Runner for fifty bucks and she needs some work. I am a lifelong lover of bicycling but I'm new to working on a bicycle. I want to ride her everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI have a miyata cromo complete triple butted im having hard time finding date/value.any help would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteChrisrarce420@gmail
I have a miyata cromo complete triple butted im having hard time finding date/value.any help would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteChrisrarce420@gmail
This is so cool! My first mountain bike was a 1987 Miyata Valley Runner, in this same mint green. I was a very small 12-year old so the size was a S or XS, but other than that it was this exact bike. Wish I would have kept it. I still have my fourth mountain bike, a 1995 Gary Fisher Paragon, which I have converted to a street bike with slicks, and still ride it regularly. Love the vintage bikes!
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