1981 Koga Miyata ProRacer

[Rekka]

Dear all,

I am a proud owner of a 1981 Koga Miyata ProRacer. However, it is in a dire need of renovation. Sadly I can't carry out this prominent task properly without having the required information about two aspects:
- the colour code (of that lovely blue)
- a way to have those stickers/adhesives custom made (or any other way to procure those stickers)

Can anyone help me on this, so I can fix my bike up? I really want it to shine and stun everyone with its classic glory!

I'd me very grateful...

Rekka

 

[Rekka]

Sorry for the double post, but here's a link to another topic which has the bike in questions on display:

www[dot]retrobike[dot]co[dot]uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5652

 

[Elev12k]

Fellow forummember 'reetegoed' reproduced the decals if I recall correctly.

On the blue: for touching up I use 'French blue gloss' enamel from 'Model Master' for the ProRacers, FullPros, Pro Ams and so on. Matches really good and is very easy to work with. In case you opt for a full repaint: sorry, I do not know what RAL the frames are.

The bike under the link is still owned by me btw.

Do you have a pic of yours?

 

[Rekka]

Dear Elev12k,

thanks for the quick and surely informative reply. However, I'm not up to speed with the common vocabulary that is used to denote all the specifities that have to do with fixing up a bike.

I don't have pictures for the moment, but I do intend on posting them later on. I take it that it's standard procedure. Mind you, it's not as stunning as yours is, I'm not a collector (I presume you are?). I hasn't got all the original parts, and I use it all the time. Just a few days ago, I participated in the Belgian Blossom Classic and took it for a 150km trip. It was really awesome to see all those high-tech bikes, but mine stood out the most as it was the only one with gear shifts on the frame (I was possibly the youngest participant with the oldest bike).
To get back on the subject, I will get to posting pictures, but I'm a bit ashamed as it's not, as I've said, in prime condition. I got it second-hand for my birthday a few years back and I've been using it ever since. While I take good care of it, it's getting rusty where the cables make contact with the frame and I really should take care of this before it's too late. Its first owner had been the local bicycle repair guy, and he's taken "good care" of it, but it shows... Wear and tear, scrappy adhesives, replaced wheels etc...

It's got a nick name as well. As I'm called "Matthias" in real life, I've renamed the bike "Kogel Matiya". It goes to show that I'm really fond of this bike, and I want to keep using it until I've saved enough to buy a new one and allow this ancient relic's it's retirement.

But that's still some years off, and I need to get my Kogel back into shape. I'd prefer a total make over... If I could just know the "RAL" (whatchamacallit) of the frame... I've contacted a store that repaints cars, and they told me I could turn in my bike and they'd try to scan the colour for me. However, they'd probably need a larger surface in order to pin down the exact RAL. I could try it, but I thought I'd first check specialised sites. Could you refer me to someone who might know of these RALs?

Are you saying that "reetegoed" can produce the adhesives? Or what do you refer to when saying "decals"?

I'm sorry for the long reply, but I thought you'd be interested and I wanted to make up for not having any pictures to share at the moment

Take care!

 

[Elev12k]

Decals: If I recall correctly reetegoed reproduced the design/graphic. I do not 100% know for sure whether he made the actual decal/sticker or had it made, but I would think yes. It is best to ask him.

Tiny bummer with a repaint is a you likely will not be able to achieve the same paint quality. Paint quality of the old Kogas was very good. Nowadays with all the environmental regulations you will probably end up with something less durable that chips more easily. What you say on the scanner is correct. I faced similar with a respray I'd planned. The small round surfeces are no help.

I am a collector indeed. I have several ProRacers. Not only the blue, but also the earlier pearl orange, which is very nice. There are more Kogas and several of them are finished in that same Koga typical blue paint as like with your bike. Interesting is that two frames have a slightly different blue tone. They are both FullPros, but custom or one off. This makes a not exact colour match a little bit easier to live with maybe.