I intended to use a Miyata 210 frame that I got from eBay for a bike build/restoration. My reason behind a Miyata build, was to pay homage to my first bicycle, a Miyata Sunrise Sport. But things didn’t go well for my intended Miyata 210 build. I have been using a freight forwarder in the Miami Florida area to send eBay purchases to me in Chile. When I received the frame in early September, I gave it a quick glance. There was some cardboard around front fork for shipping. But things had come up during that time and I did have the time to really look at the frame. So at the end of December I completely took the frame out of the box and remove the cardboard around the front fork. There was some cardboard between the fork tips to keep them separated. I also purchased the original wheels for the frame and started to put the wheels on the frame. I put the rear wheel on and it seemed fine. I put the front wheel on and something was seriously wrong. The fork arms were bent! I looked at the frame and discovered that not only were the fork arms bent, it seems the frame was bent at the head tube too.
Looking at the packing box, it didn’t look like there was any damage to it. But it kind of looked pushed in on one side. But really not that bad.
The fork was installed in the frame and it was turned so the front of the arms were pointing backwards. It seems that something fell on the front end of the frame where the fork is, causing the fork arms and head tube to bend. From the original pictures of frame on eBay, everything looked fine. Looking at the frame now, you can see areas on the fork and the head tube when the paint cracked from when the fork and head tube were bent. Since it had been too long since I received the frame, I can’t really do anything about it. I didn’t spend a lot for the frame, but still. I did contact the freight forwarder but they said they could not do anything about it since I didn’t have it packed in a wooden crate (according to the fine print). I did have them add extra bubble wrap, but that wasn’t good enough. I really don’t know if it was damaged when it arrived in Miami or in Chile. The freight forwarder doesn’t do a good enough job of noticing if items are damaged. Their customer service was lacking too. Plus they didn’t consolidate your packages either. I have since changed to a new freight forwarder that has good customer service and consolidates packages. Plus I can get insurance on my items shipped to me here in Chile. So all around a better company.
Since I couldn’t use the frame or fork anymore, I went to eBay to see if I could find suitable replacements. I was able to pick up a Miyata 310 frame, but it didn’t have a front fork. So I picked up a front fork from eBay too. It wasn’t from a Miyata, but it is new and fully chromed. So it will be a nice touch. This frame also happens to be a 1981 model like the 210 frame. Both serial numbers start with the letter J which is for the year 1981. After looking at the frame, I determined that it was ok. Some minor scratches, but it is in good shape without any bends.
I removed all of the parts from the frame including the headset cups. Next I will have to remove any stickers. Can’t sandblast the stickers from the frame. I also need to remove the Miyata head badge from the frame.
By the way, the 1981 Miyata 310 frames have that geometry of 73 degrees by 73 degrees that I mentioned in my last post. The color of the frame is Burgundy which is one of the 3 colors available for the 310 in 1981. That’s it for now.
