Neglected Koga Miyata Road Winner (1979).

[sparkybhp]

Picked this up this afternoon. I’ve always hankered after a Koga and this cropped up nearby at sensible money. Took a chance size wise judging by the sellers pics and luckily she’s a 56/56 which is spot on for me!!

As collected. The seat pin was missing and the kalloy seatpost had clearly been had a go at so I knew the post would be seized. Fortunately whoever had a go at it gave up before damaging the frame. Some wd40 and a fairly big set of stillsons soon had it out and so the strip down begins.

Frame is straight but there’s heaps of scuffs and surface rust, the chromed fork legs are pitted beyond saving too..

Still, the factory kit is all nice stuff 600 mechs and tourney brakes. Rear wheel is modern tat and I’ll need a seatpost and saddle, could be a nice resto project or a patina’d flat bar fixie thing??.
I’d be interested if anyone knew the correct year for the bike? Anyone have any thoughts? It was too far gone to test ride so if you’ve had one some feedback would be welcome.
Thanks

 

[RetroDavy]

Looks great. Koga's catalogue archive helpfully goes back to 1976: https://www.koga.com/en/service/brochures

What are the date codes on the components?

Vintage Bike Dating Pt1: Shimano Date Codes

Dating a classic bike can be very tricky. Your first port of call should always be the frame serial number, but that's not always an option as many frames don't have frame numbers stamped on them, and if they do they are often impossible to decipher. There are many examples of frame-builders...

www.pedalpedlar.co.uk

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I have a thing for Kogas. It will be a nice bike when done.

 

[sparkybhp]

Thanks for the positive comments and cheers for the catalogue link @RetroDavy. Looks like a 1979 model and that ties in with date stamps on the Shimano mechs (CC/CG).
Gave it some thought overnight and came to the conclusion that I don’t want to spend out too much on paint/decal and tracking down the correct rear wheel for it, at least not right now. So:

Had a bit of time today and went right through the bike. The Quando logo came off the rear hub with a small wire brush and that started the ball rolling. I stripped the rear hub and serviced it, removed the 5 speed freewheel and ordered a single Bmx freewheel. I reassembled the hub and shortened the axle as it was too wide for the dropouts, dished the rim and spaced the axle in the frame.
After that I regreased the bb and headset and rebuilt the bike with these Marin riser bars. Removed the big front chainring and put on some more modern brake callipers and levers.
Just needs the front hub servicing then I’m waiting on the freewheel before I can chuck a chain on and try it. Should be nice and responsive - it weighs 9.8kg as it sits now.
I’ve cleaned up and kept all the stock parts so it could go back together at some point in the future..
Nice little project for a sunny day off work, it only owes me the purchase price +£5 for the freewheel as everything came from my spares stash.

 

[sparkybhp]

Aw yeah! Freewheel arrived today so fitted that and a chain and went for a little rip up the road, man it rides nice. Going to do a few miles on it this weekend see if it needs any fettling but I’m super happy with it as it stands.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

That period of Koga Miyata is my favourite.

 

[Spankyfart]

Good job on saving one of the only Dutch relevant bicycle manufacturer relics.
Rip Concorde.. we loved you.. (or I did.)

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Batavus?

 

[Spankyfart]

We had tons, Gazelle Batavus and a good few others, but it all died in mediocraty.
Maybe the Jan jansens, but road bikes aren't really my forte.

Van Moof and Veloretti make me puke.

 

[Spankyfart]

Concorde, (google translation)
It's a good read. imo.

Concorde ooit een beroemd Nederlands fietsmerk | Vintagefiets

Het Nederlandse fietsmerk Concorde was in de jaren 80 en 90 een bekende naam in de wielerwereld en sponsorde zelfs de wielerploeg PDM van 1986 tot 1992

www-vintagefiets-be.translate.goog

I, or really my girlfriend now owns the Concorde Kudu Steven Rooks (might be true/I was told) got imported from Italie. By a Fiat dealer who had sponsorship connections.

This was the bike I bought.
I'll post a picture of the final bike when she comes by again. (got none on file)
There was zero info on the interwebz but 3 or 4 pages.




I'm sorry, really should have made it a separate post.