“Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly.” ― Jane Austen, Emma
Wherein I complicate a project just for the fun of it. What is the source of fun? Obviously, any well-considered answer to the question, “What if…?”
The Vision: 1984 Koga-Miyata Luxe
The 1984 Koga-Miyata Luxe is a bicycle never produced, nor offered, by Koga-Miyata. It is fruit born of my imagination and my fond memories of several Dura-Ace-equipped bicycles from the 1970s, particularly the 1978 Miyata Extra Record, the predecessor of the 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe.
In the current idiom, a “neo-retro” bicycle is typically a bicycle built using a refurbished, classic steel frame equipped with modern components. My 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frameset could certainly fill that role. In that role, a bicycle that those inclined to brevity would call a “resto-mod” or a “neo-retro”.
However, I don’t intend for this to simply be the restoration and modification of a frame from 1979 to like-new condition; nor to simply be the renovation of a bicycle frame from 1979 with modern components. As that one robot aptly said in that one 1976 sci-fi movie:
“More than a fusion of the two. Don’t you agree?” – Box, ca. 2274.
Mixing Greek and Latin (“neo-retro” = “new” + “backwards”) is economical, I suppose, and so is mixing different generations of Dura-Ace from my spare parts box in a way that could not have been done on a production bicycle of the 1970s and early 1980s (for want of a time machine).
The Concept
A restored and renovated vintage steel Koga-Miyate MXA frameset, equipped similarly to the original 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe and Pro Racer, but with some aspects updated to be compatible with more modern components.
A bicycle that accommodates my desire for enhanced function and tasteful aesthetics.
A bicycle that echoes the idea of mixing different generations of Dura-Ace parts as exemplified by the 1984 Koga-Miyata Full Pro-S and Pro Racer-S bicycles, but in a way that is anachronistic and personally appealing.
A bicycle suitable for display, but most emphatically intended to be ridden and enjoyed.
A bicycle that could have been, but never was – a “what if…?” bicycle dream-build.
With a bit of imagination, one could consider this an alternative-history bicycle, a category of build for which I coined the term “alt-retro” (or “alternative-retro” for the habitually polysyllabic).
This is the bicycle I would have wanted in the early 1980s, had I the resources and a time machine to obtain it: an anachronistic “1984” Koga-Miyata Luxe from an alternative past reality, realized in the here and now.
What’s in a Name?
Why name it “1984 Koga-Miyata Luxe”?
The “1984” model year refers to when the 7400-series Dura-Ace parts were introduced by Shimano (at the time, introduced as “new” Dura-Ace), but not yet available to enthusiasts (early 1985, according to my recollection), which adds more anachronistic whimsy to this project.
The “Koga-Miyata” brand name was retained to reflect the provenance of the MXA frame.
Both “Pro” bicycle offerings from Koga-Miyata were aimed at professional and aspirant-professional cyclists (I think the technical term is “wannabe”…is that Japanese?*). I do not race bicycles and I’m not a professional cyclist, nor do I have any such aspirations, making both “Racer” and “Pro” labels inappropriate for this particular bicycle.
* なりたい=naritai=”I want to become”=wannabe
This bicycle does, however, use a 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frame as its basis – a frame equally as luxurious as the one used on the Pro Luxe. In its new incarnation, this unique bicycle will emphasize its luxurious qualities, which made the concise label “Luxe” seem appropriate.
Sadly, my literal nature also precludes any gift for naming things, but it is sufficient for this project.
The Color Orange
The frame would need new paint after it was modified (and to make it like-new in any case). So, I was faced with making a color choice: light blue like the MXA/Pro Luxe; rose red like the 1978 Miyata Extra Record I so admire; bronze-orange like the Pro Racer; or, some other color?
I am fond of blue, and that red is very appealing, but I really like yellow or orange…
…and orange (like yellow) goes well with black. And silver. And gold. Even the tan sidewalls look good with orange (or yellow). Any “retro” bicycle must have tan sidewalls, after all.
This image conveys most closely the color palette I have in mind, but not necessarily one I will copy:
For this bicycle, I preferred an orange similar to the orange on the 1977 Schwinn Volare, which seemed to me more an orange-y gold than orange. Something a little more orange-saturated would be even better, but I was also leaning toward a darker yellow-gold.
With that in mind, two colors initially called to me. The first is called Rich Gold pearl, a pearlescent yellow-gold. The second is called Fool’s Gold candy, a dark yellow-gold tint over metallic silver. These colors are non-standard for Koga-Miyata, of course. I still haven’t decided which to use.
I did decide to retain most of the style of the fork found on the MXA/Pro Luxe: painted fork crown, fork blades, and fork end faces. Depending on the condition of the chrome on the fork crown, I would keep open the option of leaving the fork crown unpainted to incorporate that element from my other two favorite 1970s Dura-Ace-equipped bicycles: the 1976 Austro-Daimler Vent Noir and the 1977 Schwinn Volare.
My concept for the 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frameset had started out quite nebulous. But, upon rummaging through my parts stash, it quickly coalesced into a workable plan…
The Treasure
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a [creature] in possession of […] good fortune, must be in want of [more Dura-Ace].” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Putting together just the right parts was a labor that spanned decades. It was labor that I undertook early in life, assuring myself a comfortable stash of just the right parts. The “right” parts mostly meant Dura-Ace, for me. And, it wasn’t so much “labor” as the in-grained habits of a discerning, prodigal pack rat presented with shiny things. Like a magnet attracting only iron, certain parts were drawn to me when they were within my influence.
Exchanging surplus currency for functional treasure is always an easy choice. The value of fiat currency is capricious, whereas bicycle parts have long-term intrinsic value and utility. A lot of Dura-Ace and other parts (just enough) found their way into my treasure stash. But, what good is treasure that isn’t put to use?
Some of my treasure would be used for this project:
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Bell | SpurCycle - Fe alloy, black |
| Headset | Shimano Dura-Ace (HP-7400) - Al alloy, silver, 1" (26.4mm CRS), loose-bearing |
| Stem | Nitto Pearl - Al alloy, 100mm (105mm), silver |
| Handlebars | Nitto Model 177 - Al alloy, silver, 44cm x 26.0mm |
| Handlebar wrap | Walnut - leather, black, black cotton stitching |
| Handlebar ends | Nitto - Al alloy, black |
| Seatpost | Nitto Model S65 - Al alloy, silver, 26.8mm x 250mm, set-back |
| Saddle | Selle Italia SLK - leather/FeMnMo alloy, black, slotted |
| Brakes | Shimano Dura-Ace (BR-7402) - Al alloy, silver, short-reach |
| Brake shoes | Shimano Dura-Ace (BR-7900) - Al alloy, black |
| Brake pads | KoolStop Dura Pads - salmon, all-weather |
| Brake levers | Shimano Dura-Ace (BL-7400) - Al alloy, non-aero, silver |
| Brake cable | Shimano - stainless |
| Brake cable housing | Shimano SLR - Fe alloy/plastic, PTFE-lined, black |
| Shift levers* | Shimano Dura-Ace (SL-7400) - Al alloy, polished, SIS, 6-speed |
| Shift cables | Shimano - stainless |
| Shift cable housing | Shimano SIS - Fe alloy/plastic, PTFE-lined, black |
| Dérailleur – front | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FD-7200) - Al/Fe, braze-on, silver |
| Dérailleur – rear | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (RD-7200) - Al alloy, short cage, silver |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (BB-7100) - Fe alloy, English, loose-bearing |
| Crankset | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FC-7100) - Al alloy, silver, 170mm |
| Chainrings | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FC-7110) - Al alloy, black, 42/52T, 3/32" |
| Cassette | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (CS-7200) - Fe alloy, gold, 13-14-15-16-17-18T, 6-cog |
| Chain | Shimano UniGlide (CN-6110) - Fe alloy, 3/32", black/gold |
| Pedals | MKS RX-1 - Al alloy, silver/black |
| Toe clips | MKS - Fe alloy, chrome, black leather covers, extra large |
| Toe straps | MKS Alpha Spirit - leather, black |
| Hub - front | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (HB-7200) - Al alloy, silver, 36-hole, 100mm |
| Hub - rear | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FH-7200) - Al alloy, silver, 36-hole, 130mm |
| Rims | Mavic Open Pro - Al alloy, black, 700C x 19mm, clincher |
| Rim tape | Ritchey - plastic, 13mm, yellow |
| Tires | Panaracer AGXERO - rubber/nylon, black/tan, 700C x 28mm (26mm) |
| Inner tubes | Vredestein - butyl, 700C x 18-25mm, presta (40mm) |
| Spokes | DT Swiss Champion - 1.8mm (15ga.), silver, 3x lacing |
| Quick-release* | Shimano Dura-Ace (QR-7400/7402) - Fe alloy, chrome |
| Water bottle cages | Minoura - Al alloy, black |
| Pump | Zéfal HpX - Fe/Al alloy, color-matched |
| Alternative Drivetrain: | |
| Chainrings | Shimano Ultegra (FC-6400) - Al alloy, silver, 42/52T, 3/32" |
| Cassette | Shimano Dura-Ace (CS-7400) - Fe alloy, silver, 13-15-17-20-23-26T, 6-cog |
| Chain | SRAM (PC-870) - Fe alloy, 3/32", silver |
| Brake shoes | KoolStop DuraPads - Al alloy, silver |
| Pedals | Shimano Dura-Ace (PD-7810) - Al/Fe alloy, silver/grey, SPD-R |
| * Refurbished. | |
To me, the crankset is the visual focal point of any bicycle. For this 1984 Koga-Miyata Luxe bicycle, only a 7100-series crankset would do, as originally specified for the Pro Luxe and Pro Racer bicycles. However, rather than the silver chainrings found on the Pro Luxe, this Luxe would use the black-anodized chainrings found on the Pro Racer to better complement the chosen frame color and overall aesthetic. A classic beauty!
The Changes
Of course, I was going to personalize and alter the 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frameset to suit my preferences:
- Add stainless steel water bottle bosses on the seat tube, using my “gear” reinforcements.
- Replace existing water bottle bosses with stainless steel water bottle bosses on the down tube, using my “gear” reinforcements.
- Replace Shimano A-type shift lever braze-on bosses with stainless steel Campagnolo-type.
- Add a stainless steel chain hanger.
- Add a custom-machined, stainless steel pump peg to the head tube.
- Remove existing rear brake cable guides.
- Install a stainless steel, internal rear brake cable guide through the top tube, suitably positioned for both aero and non-aero cable routing (left hand operation).
- Retain the chromed dropout and fork end faces and unpainted thin edges, like the Pro Luxe.
- Gold or orange pearl paint on frame and fork.
- “Luxe” lettering (black) on the top tube, both sides.
- “Koga-Miyata” lettering (black) on the down tube, both sides.
- “Miyata” lettering (black) on the seat tube, both sides.
- Owner name (black) on the drive-side top tube, near the seat lug.
- Tange Champion/Miyata tubing decals on the seat tube and fork blades, like the Pro Luxe.
- Vertical “なりたい” glyphs (black) on both fork blades, under the Tange decals instead of “Professional”.
- Dura-Ace EX system components decal on the face of the seat tube, just below the front dérailleur hanger.
- “Rabbit-Proof Guaranty” bunny-in-a-gear/seal of approval with year of renovation on the face of the seat tube, below the Dura-Ace EX system components decal.
- Red contrast paint in the circle cutouts of the lugs, fork blade tangs, engraved fork crown, and bottom bracket shell.
- Black contrast paint in the “M” cutouts of the lugs, with white on the upper points of the “M” (like snow on a mountain).
- Black contrast paint in the gear cutouts of the fork crown, with white circle surrounding red “M”.
- Original gold-anodized head badge with black edge; black lettering on gold field; white circle within black Miyata gear logo; red “M” in gold field.
It may seem like a lot of work, and it is, but it’s less work than building a replica. Undertaking this project feels like a collaboration with the original artisans across decades, building on their efforts to make something that is personally meaningful. Certainly, I think the anticipated end result is worth the effort.
Afterward
With the plan figured out, the frame was readied for travel for the first phase of the plan…
Postscript
Do you have a bicycle dream you would like to realize? Do you need or want a beautiful custom bicycle or replica? Well, you can contact this whimsical frame builder to whole-heartedly make it happen.