Monday, June 15, 2015

1987 Miyata Valley Runner Mountain Bike Restoration - Dirt Tourer or Camping Bike

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Almost Complete
1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle as Found & Weekend Haul - Before Restoration
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.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Outdoors

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Handlebars

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Stem

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Brake Levers

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Deore Thumb Shift Levers

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Front Brake Area

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Cool Die-Comp Cantilevers

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Stem

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Head Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Front

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Down Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Seat Area

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Triple Butted Cr-Mo Decal

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Beautiful Signature Crank

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Front Derailleur

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Seat Lug

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Rear Cool Die-Comp Canties

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Rear Derailleur

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub
Wrong 5 Speed Freewheel

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.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Head Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Head Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Head Tube - Deep stains in the white paint.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Top Tube Scuffs and Scrapes

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Top Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Down Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Down Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Seat Lug

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket - Heavy Duty!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Seat Lug

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Rear Cantilever Brake Studs

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Chain Stays

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Rear Drop Outs

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Fork

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Fork Crown

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Fork Brake Studs

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Before - Fork Drop Outs

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!!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished
1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Head Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Head Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Top Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Down Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Seat Lug

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Seat Stays

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Rear Cantie Studs

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Chain Stays

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Fork

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Fork Crown

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Fork Cantie Studs

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Blades

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Frame Polished - Studs
It is hard to know how many small pieces and hardware pieces a bicycle has until you see them in a pile.  All those small pieces below have been polished on industrial polishers.  It takes some time to say the least.

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.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Polished - New Bearings

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Pressing Headset Cups

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Headset Cups - Pressed

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
New Bearings Packed in New Grease

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Headset - Complete

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Headset Complete - I like it a lot!!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bottom Bracket Bearings - Packed

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bottom Bracket - Complete - Will be replaced later.

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!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Original Stem

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Original Handlebars

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bull Moose Handlebars

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Cr-Mo Decal - Wish it wasn't damaged

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bull Moose Cable Hanger

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bull Moose Handlebars

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bull Moose Handlebars - Installed

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bull Moose Handlebars - Installed

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.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Seat Post - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Seat Post - Exploded

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Seat Post - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Seat Post - Installed - I really like the seat clamp.

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!!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Crank - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Crank - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Crank - Exploded

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Crank - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping BikeCrank - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Crank - Complete

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!!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brake Calipers - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Die-Comp Cantilever Calipers - Exploded

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brake Calipers - Exploded

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Die-Comp Cantilever Brake Calipers - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Die-Comp Cantilever Brake Calipers - Complete

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Die-Comp Brake Caliper - Complete

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Brake Calipers - Installed

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!


1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Derailleur - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Derailleur - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Derailleur - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Derailleur - Exploded

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Derailleur - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Derailleur - Complete

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Derailleur - Installed

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Derailleur - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Derailleur - Exploded

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Derailleur - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Derailleur - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Derailleur - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Derailleur - Complete

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!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brake Lever - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brake Lever - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brake Levers - Exploded

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brake Levers - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brake Levers - Complete

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Shift Levers -  Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Shift Levers - One Bolt Exploded!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Shift LEvers - Compelte

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Shift And Brake Lever - Installed

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.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel Before - Strange Freewheel

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel Hub - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel Rim - Before

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Removing Freewheel in the Vise

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Freewheel Broken Free

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Freewheel Tool in the Vise

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel - Old Grease

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel Hub - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel New Bearings - Packed

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Axle Pieces - Ready

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Rear Wheel - 
Complete
 Of course I forgot to take before photos of the front wheel.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Wheel Hub - Old Grease

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Wheel Hub - Polished

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Wheel - New Bearings - Packed

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Front Wheel - Complete

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.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
New Cables & Housings

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Wired

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Wired

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.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Brooks Flyer - Installed

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Handlebar Grips Installed

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!

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??

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Handlebars

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Head Tube

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Die-Comp Brake

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Wheel Hub

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Wheel Rim


1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Cock Pit Area

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete Handlebars - Awesome!!

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Cable Area

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Area

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Brooks Flyer Saddle

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Triple Butted Cr-Mo Decal

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Drive Train - Need Longer Chain.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Crank

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Front Derailleur

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete Rear Derailleur
Need Longer Chain - Dead gears now.

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Seat Stays

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete - Rear Brake

1987 Miyata Valley Runner MTB Restoration - Camping Bike
Bicycle Semi-Complete
Check back later for the changes with the new parts and racks.



7 comments:

  1. 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

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wok 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.

    ReplyDelete
  3. GORGEOUSNESS!! 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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. GORGEOUSNESS!! 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.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a miyata cromo complete triple butted im having hard time finding date/value.any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Chrisrarce420@gmail

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have a miyata cromo complete triple butted im having hard time finding date/value.any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Chrisrarce420@gmail

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  7. 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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