Classic & Vintage - Persistence pays off: 1981 Trek 610

Good things come to those who wait...and are equally persistent.

Some might remember a post I made few months back, regarding a local Trek 610 and a CL seller - not to mention my frustration at losing out on the machine. ( http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=239471&highlight=trek+610 ).

Not mentioned in that thread was that I later found out a local fixie rider, Thomas (who ended up buying my Jeunet as well), acquired it for $150. Being another VLW collector, an immediate friendship was formed - along with the occasional ribbing from me - "when 'r you going to sell me that Trek?"

Well, I received a call yesterday from him: "Kurt - that Trek just doesn't fit me right. I'm willing to trade for something in my size." With luck, I had the old Peugeot PSV-10 (given to me by one of the LBS's) on hand - just the right size and fixie appeal that he was looking for.

A swap was arranged, and today, I took possession of a Trek 610 I last saw on the 23rd of October, 2006. After a quick test run with the original Suntour components (quick, mainly as I aquired a little cold on the 26th - what a way to ring in my 19th B-day), I brought her back in the shop and started unbolting all Japanese components, and immidiately replacing them with my semi-rusty and crusty 1972 Nuovo Record components. I mounted all but the levers (which will be Campag Victory, for I do not have decent NRs on hand), for the stem and bars HAVE to go.

Of course, this bike also solves the problem of what bike I will be mounting my NOS buckskin-color suede bar tape on. It'll match the Trek "Chestnut" color perfectly. Back to the '70s.

Allow me to further bore you with a few photos:

As it came, no modifications (it looked a lot grimier and uglier in person - at this point - then the photo implies):
http://www.jaysmarine.com/Trek_610_1.jpg

Campagnolo NR components (save for crankset - I need a right-hand NR crankarm that does NOT have severe cracks in it):
http://www.jaysmarine.com/Trek_610_2.jpg

Drivetrain:
http://www.jaysmarine.com/Trek_610_3.jpg

Front brake, badge:
http://www.jaysmarine.com/Trek_610_4.jpg

Sagging, sorry-looking Selle Italia Turbo saddle from the '87 Basso, mounted to a shining Campagnolo NR post (with severely rusted hardware hidden under the saddle):
http://www.jaysmarine.com/Trek_610_5.jpg

Take care,

-Kurt

NICE!!! excellent find! Now wait a second, you're 19!? I always took you for someone in their mid 30's at the least?,,,,,BD

NICE!!! excellent find! Now wait a second, you're 19!? I always took you for someone in their mid 30's at the least?,,,,,BD

A nice find, yes - but at 6:30 this afternoon, I recieved word from a neighbor about 7 blocks away that he nabbed - if I'm not mistaken - a SOMEC with full-Campagnolo today. Never fails for finds to come in buckets around this neck of the woods. I only wonder if that Somec is fully pantographed.

Nineteen, yes. I never fail to surprise the local repairmen with tales of Campagnolo components and advice regarding vintage componentry.

Take care,

-Kurt

I thought this would be a story about you waiting 26 years to buy a bike.

Kurt, Nice Trek,



NICE!!! excellent find! Now wait a second, you're 19!? I always took you for someone in their mid 30's at the least?,,,,,BD

+1 On this, Kinda Hard to believe Kurt is that young!

I thought this would be a story about you waiting 26 years to buy a bike.

:roflmao:

-Kurt

Kurt,

What year is that? I'm interested that it doesn't have top tube cable guides brazed on (indicating earlier) but it also seems to have a glue on headbadge (indicating later). As a point of referance, my 1979 510 (022 tubing as opposed to 531) has cable guides and a riveted head badge. I'm guessing that yours is a 1980 and that the cable guides on my were added as a factory add on along with the DT cable stops that are on mine.

Actually, I really love the look of the chrome cable clips. And the chestnut brown is THE color.

I'm very interested in how you find the ride. The long rake on these bikes produces a very low amount of trail and while this is beginning to make a bit of a comeback, it's a very different feel compared to more modern geometries. I can ride farther and faster on my 510 than my old race bike most due to the more stable handling. And I can use a handlebar bag no problem on my 510.

You've found a dream bike!!!

Kurt,

What year is that? I'm interested that it doesn't have top tube cable guides brazed on (indicating earlier) but it also seems to have a glue on headbadge (indicating later). As a point of referance, my 1979 510 (022 tubing as opposed to 531) has cable guides and a riveted head badge. I'm guessing that yours is a 1980 and that the cable guides on my were added as a factory add on along with the DT cable stops that are on mine.

Actually, I really love the look of the chrome cable clips. And the chestnut brown is THE color.

I'm very interested in how you find the ride. The long rake on these bikes produces a very low amount of trail and while this is beginning to make a bit of a comeback, it's a very different feel compared to more modern geometries. I can ride farther and faster on my 510 than my old race bike most due to the more stable handling. And I can use a handlebar bag no problem on my 510.

You've found a dream bike!!!

To tell you the truth, I have no idea what the actual year is; I am going by the date assesment you did back in October from my description. Looks like it is about time that I go check that serial number once and for all, eh?

Just came back from getting the serial from the bike. The BB shell is very, very rusty - in the very spot in where the serial is located. So far, I've been able to decode this:

N5F9A95

N = 610/613/614 - this checks out
5 = 25.5" frame - this does NOT coincide - going to double-check that it is not a "3"
F = June - "Check!"
9 = 610s were not made in 1979 - at least, there is no record of this. The topic is discussed at Vintage-Trek's serial chart.

The remainder of the serial, of course, is not as important to pinpoint the manufacture date.

The clips, I should note, are Shimano Dura-Ace. Not sure if that was original spec., or if Suntour cable clips would have been the norm originally.

Well, during my short test ride, the handling felt a somewhat "floppy" - reminicent of a Raleigh DL-1, of all things, but not to such an extent. I have a feeling that short stem is causing most of that problem - I'll let you know if handling improves when I mount an 100-110mm stem up front.

I don't mind either touring or racing geometry - depends on where I might be riding. I enjoy the mild rake to my '87 Basso's fork for its quickness and stability (w/an 100mm stem + 40cm wide bar), but I don't like riding it with one hand though while signaling. My '86 Raleigh Grand Prix has a rake similar to that of the Trek (110mm stem + 40cm bar), and I enjoy the handling very much, even when riding with one hand, but it never wants to ride hands-off, while the Basso is notoriously easy to do so with. Finally, my favorite machine for all-around riding is my '61 Paramount, with an English-style (bend begins at the lower section of the fork, not from the center), touring bend front fork. It'll handle beautifully on both sharp corners and gradual curves, but the original Campagnolo Record headset indexes too much to be able to ride hands off. Did I mention I'm running very narrow bars on it? 110mm Titan stem with what I believe are 35mm Titan bars. I've become quite attached to those narrow bars after a while of riding that machine.

Take care,

-Kurt

I aquired a little cold on the 26th - what a way to ring in my 19th B-day
A Raleigh Sports for your 18th and a vintage Trek for your 19th, eh? Too bad I won't be around for your 50th B-Day to see what bikes you are collecting then? (Or if I am around I'll be too senile to understand :rolleyes: )

Let's see, March 26, 2038, Kurt posts on BF C&V;


I just found a 2005 CF Trek in a dumpster behind the LBS. It has a few dings in the paint, but over all a nice looking ride. It will need new tires and cables and the normal PM. But for the life of me I can't figure out one thing. How do I shift the dang thing! :eek: There are no shifters any place on this bike. Not the down tube, not the bar ends, not even the stem! It has what looks like a 10 speed freewheel on the back (how could they make one that big?). BTW, it has "Discovery" on one of the decals followed by this code; "L.A. 7th TdF." Any advice?

followed by this post;


What's CF?

More fuel for the fire: The original Suntour FD is marked with the date code "WD" indicating April 1980. Considering the lag in shipping the parts to the States, and the 610's official year debut as being from 1981, I dare say that it can be said with certainty - at this point - that this 610 is a genuine '81 model.

-Kurt

A Raleigh Sports for your 18th and a vintage Trek for your 19th, eh? Too bad I won't be around for your 50th B-Day to see what bikes you are collecting then? (Or if I am around I'll be too senile to understand :rolleyes: )

Probably the same stuff I'm collecting now, or the same collection as it stands. Just like '60s VLWs started to dissapear off the face of the earth about 10 years ago or thereabouts, the '70s stuff is becoming harder to find by the day. In another 10 years, one can only wonder how hard it will be to find a nice '80s machine. That is, other then a late '80s Cannondale with those inherently crack-prone 3" long rear dropouts.


Let's see, March 26, 2038, Kurt posts on BF C&V;


I just found a 2005 CF Trek in a dumpster behind the LBS. It has a few dings in the paint, but over all a nice looking ride. It will need new tires and cables and the normal PM. But for the life of me I can't figure out one thing. How do I shift the dang thing! There are no shifters any place on this bike. Not the down tube, not the bar ends, not even the stem! It has what looks like a 10 speed freewheel on the back (how could they make one that big?). BTW, it has "Discovery" on one of the decals followed by this code; "L.A. 7th TdF." Any advice?

:roflmao: :lol: :roflmao: :lol: :roflmao: :lol: :roflmao: :lol: :roflmao:

Somehow, I have a feeling that I wouldn't have to ask about that bike...!

-Kurt

What's CF?


Originally posted by cudak888 from the mental facility for bicycle collectors:

Huh?

;)

-Kurt

Kurt, you're gonna need some brake pads on there bud.

And wtf, you're 19! Some how I had you pegged as one of the old salts of the C&V crowd, not one of the new generation like me. ;)

Great looking Trek, amazing how well those campy posts shine up and really give a boost to the over all look of the bike.

And wtf, you're 19! Some how I had you pegged as one of the old salts of the C&V crowd, not one of the new generation like me. ;)
Gee, and I could be the grandfather of Kurt and the father of Jon. Boy am I feeling old today (until I remember that I do have a 14 year old at home).

Gee, and I could be the grandfather of Kurt and the father of Jon. Boy am I feeling old today (until I remember that I do have a 14 year old at home).

Here's something that will make you feel younger, my dad's actually almost 20 years older than you are. And I'm not THAT much older than Kurt either. Granted, I'm just over a week from hitting 26, but still!

A note on early vintage Treks: I recently brought my "new" 1979 530 to The Bike Stand in Scotch Plains, NJ to coldset the rear dropouts to 130mm. The proprietor there, Steve Willis, who used to work for the bike shop that became Trek, explained that early on Trek was very liberal with their frame builds. I took a gamble on my frame being a 510 (more relaxed geometry) because it was poorly listed (seller had minimal information) and because the frame specs weren't matching the data on vintage-trek.com. Supposedly, the '79 530 was built with Continental Oval forks and Suntour dropouts. However, mine was built with Ishiwata 022 forks and Campagnolo dropouts, like the '80 510. Steve Willis said that often the rear triangles were outsourced from builders in England, and that it wasn't uncommon for them to use whatever parts were available. So it's possible they ran out of Suntour dropouts, and possibly the Continental Oval forks.

Or, it could have been custom built.

Steve also said that the founders of Trek were not at all interested in racing bikes, but wanted to build "sport touring" frames exclusively. An early Rivendell venture. It seems that original goal fell by the wayside.

My frame also has braze-on cable guides on the top tube and BB, and a glued on headbadge.

Gee, and I could be the grandfather of Kurt and the father of Jon. Boy am I feeling old today (until I remember that I do have a 14 year old at home).

I'm forty-four and have been married for 23 years, and our youngest child is TWO. But I feel OLDER, not younger, because of it! :D

I find its not a really flattering looking ride and makes me wonder why you wanted it so bad, but hey always nice to read about someone aquiring a cycle they wanted!

Very nice find Kurt! And that color screams vintage!

My '78 900 which is a '77 model also has the factory brazed tt cable guides and glued head badge.

A note on early vintage Treks:

....Or, it could have been custom built.

Steve also said that the founders of Trek were not at all interested in racing bikes, but wanted to build "sport touring" frames exclusively. An early Rivendell venture. It seems that original goal fell by the wayside.

My frame also has braze-on cable guides on the top tube and BB, and a glued on headbadge.

True, although I would wonder why someone would go through the trouble of having a mid-range 610 custom-built for them, and with a lowly Suntour Vx gruppo to boot. I gather it was probably built with a lack of top tube braze-ons simply as they were probably running low on them when the frame was built.

As for the serial's reference to a 25.5" frame though...I can't explain that.


I find its not a really flattering looking ride and makes me wonder why you wanted it so bad, but hey always nice to read about someone aquiring a cycle they wanted!

To each their own. Stick around to see the progress, perhaps you'll find that the suede bar tape and a pair of IRC skinwalls will improve the overall pizzaz (hell, gumwalls ruin anything that is not a Varsity).

I'm also considering another pair of white Bluemels for this machine - what do you fellows think of the idea?

-Kurt

Very nice find Kurt! And that color screams vintage!

My '78 900 which is a '77 model also has the factory brazed tt cable guides and glued head badge.

Nice seatlug on your 900, adds to the Trek-look.

The color certainly does hark from the late '70s - just imagine the "look" when I mount the matching-color suede bar tape.

Interesting that Trek kept the Chestnut color through the early '80s, as by then, light metallic hues began to shoulder the brown (early '70s)/orange (late '60s-mid '70s/green/olive (early '70s)/gold colors of the '70s out the window.

-Kurt

More fuel for the fire: The original Suntour FD is marked with the date code "WD" indicating April 1980. Considering the lag in shipping the parts to the States, and the 610's official year debut as being from 1981, I dare say that it can be said with certainty - at this point - that this 610 is a genuine '81 model.

-Kurt

Many of the early Treks were sold as framesets only, and even when equipped with components, these could vary from those listed in the brochures. I purchased the 530 from the original owner who claims he bought it new in Milwaukee, WI. The only components he changed were the pedals, saddle and brake levers. It was equipped with Suntour power ratcheting DT shifters, 1st generation Suntour Cyclone RD, Suntour Vx FD, SR Apex cranks, SR stem, bars and seatpost, Dia-Compe 500G calipers, Tange Levin headset, Campy Tipo hubs laced to Rigida rims, and a Suntour gold freewheel.

Many of the early Treks were sold as framesets only, and even when equipped with components, these could vary from those listed in the brochures. I purchased the 530 from the original owner who claims he bought it new in Milwaukee, WI. The only components he changed were the pedals, saddle and brake levers. It was equipped with Suntour power ratcheting DT shifters, 1st generation Suntour Cyclone RD, Suntour Vx FD, SR Apex cranks, SR stem, bars and seatpost, Dia-Compe 500G calipers, Tange Levin headset, Campy Tipo hubs laced to Rigida rims, and a Suntour gold freewheel.


Treks can be whatever you want them to be!:D I posted this more to annoy Kurt than anything else!:p HAppy Birthday!!!!!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/BikePics051.jpg

OK, I started today feeling pretty good, but now I have discovered that I am older than both Cudas combined...

My eldest son is 24 and the younger is 22...

If I had a child at 18, and that child had a child at 18, I would have a 14 year old grand child... Change the numbers to 16, and I would have a young great grand child.

I just wish I still had my Schwinn LeTour IV that I bought new, while I was in the Marines as it would be older than the Cudas! Or my Skid Lid I got shortly after that... my first helmet. :)

OK, enough feeling old, I am going back to work. :D

Well, Darwin, the Skid-Lid was my first helmet, too. I bought it after a particularly nasty bike crash (which included a concussion) in 1980. I was a junior in college. But I do have several bikes that are older than I am!

Neal

Gee, and I could be the grandfather of Kurt and the father of Jon. Boy am I feeling old today (until I remember that I do have a 14 year old at home).

Right with you, Rev. Now that we know he's a punK kid we can stop being polite:D
FWIW, I wish I knew what Kurt knows about bikes when I was 19.
Top
(who was a M-60 humping mother****er at that age;) )

OK, now I have discovered that I am older than both Cudas combined... :D

+1
I think us old guys need to start treating our BF children as such. ;)

I always thought Kurt was at least over 30. Good show on keeping it hidden. I am rather surprised, but there were a few things hear and there that didn't add up. I knew he couldn't have been collecting for that many years because he has mentioned Campagnolo envy once or twice. Specifically in regard to someones picture of a box full of NR RDs for spare parts!! I also recall one or two references to his mother, indicating he either lived with her or used her place for storage. Now it all makes sense. the mystery unveiled. I myself am of the younger crowd being the same age as Cuda2k. I must say I am impressed with his vintage knowledge. I was more concerned with owning my own car, partying and skateboarding when I was 18/19. Interestingly enough I haven't owned a car since I was 18 and have no desire to own one anytime soon. Pedal Power! Only someone that young could keep up the pace of collecting Kurt is currently going at. I was ravenous for a while as I got into it but have settled down to slower pace, having filled most of the gaps.

I thought this would be a story about you waiting 26 years to buy a bike.

no, that would be my story.
Kurt, nice bike, have you talked to Skip at Vintage-Trek yet? he has more info than
is listed on the site about build dates etc.

My first helmet was a Bell Biker, and the only reason I even considered it was
I was commuting back then.

Marty

Right with you, Rev. Now that we know he's a punK kid we can stop being polite:D
FWIW, I wish I knew what Kurt knows about bikes when I was 19.
Top
(who was a M-60 humping mother****er at that age;) )
Naw--- I've known he was this young since he was 17 and I sent him the Raleigh Sports from my NH Dump. I've just never let the cat out of the bag, but since Kurt was so direct about his B-Day I thought I'd jump in give him a little grief!:p

I got my skid lid with a certificate I bought from a racer at the San Diego velodrome. He got it for winning the sprints that day, and already had one or more. I thought I would never forget his name since he was probably the fastest cyclist I would ever meet, and as I recall he went to the pan-am games that year... I spent several weekends that summer watching sprinters...

Another person I saw race in the Pan-Am trials had the world record for track stand time.

Oh well, with age so much is lost, the stuff, and sometimes the memories of the stuff too. :D

I always thought Kurt was at least over 30. Good show on keeping it hidden.

I remember in a PM when we were discussing the wandering Corky that I thought Kurt was supplementing income with cycling, and in my mind, I was thinking he was my age... maybe an old computer worker displaced by off shore developers and working at a McDonalds amd looking to supplement the lower paying job he had to take to survive...

Now I wonder if he is supplementing the income from his fast food job... the first time around. :)

It is nice to see you youngsters not caught up in the "everything modern is best" mentality.

I always thought Kurt was at least over 30...but there were a few things hear and there that didn't add up. I knew he couldn't have been collecting for that many years because he has mentioned Campagnolo envy once or twice.

Yes, yes. I've had the Campagnolo envy ever since I aquired my first groupset, the '85 Triomphe set that now resides on my '86 Raleigh Grand Prix. Since then, any other Campagnolo groupset that I haven't had a chance to experience in the field intrigues me. So far, I've been able to sufficently road-test the Triomphe and Victory groupsets, along with '60s-variant Gran Sport. Nuovo Record will definitely be next, considering that both this Trek and the '78 Guerciotti are being built up with it. Considering cage geometry though, I'm expecting Nuovo Record to perform pretty much parallel to Triomphe.

I dare say my "Campagnolo Envy" will be satisfied once I have an example of each (Tri., Vic, NR, SR) - not just for the pleasure of owning each group, but for the knowledge of knowing the exact performance and nuances of each group.



no, that would be my story.

Ah yes, the elusive Zielman. Have you finished the build yet? I haven't had time to keep up with the build's progress.



Kurt, nice bike, have you talked to Skip at Vintage-Trek yet? he has more info than
is listed on the site about build dates etc.

No, I have not contacted him yet, for I did not know that he had additional information on hand. I'll try to remember to email him the serial number and pictures this evening.



Now I wonder if he is supplementing the income from his fast food job... the first time around. :)

It is nice to see you youngsters not caught up in the "everything modern is best" mentality.

My only "job" has been that of the Bike Doc Cycles business - flipping garage-sale finds and trash-pile repairs on Craigslist, and occasionally flipping the vintage parts (NOS C-Record RD, Legnano frame, 63 and 64cm Guerciottis) when I need a bit more cash.

Modern is best? Hell, I'm a Luddite. I am strictly devoted to vintage for everything - automobiles, clothing, furniture, telephones - you name it. Not to mention that if said item is not fixable, I don't particularly care for it. Case in point: My favorite telephone in the house is a Kellogg 1000 "Red Bar" rotary. If necessary, I can open up the entire mechanism and service every last piece of it. It'll outlast any modern phone tenfold.

-Kurt

Well, Darwin, the Skid-Lid was my first helmet, too. I bought it after a particularly nasty bike crash (which included a concussion) in 1980. I was a junior in college. But I do have several bikes that are older than I am!
With all the yard sale bike buying I've done, I own no bikes older than I am. The termites ate all of them.

My oldest bike at the moment is one year younger than I am.

I'm 32.

Treks can be whatever you want them to be!:D I posted this more to annoy Kurt than anything else!:p HAppy Birthday!!!!!

:eek: It's been DELTRONIZED!

;)

Seriously, it is a great looking machine. I would have gladly scrounged up a headbadge for you though had I thought it might change your mind about that stickyface :eek: ;)

-Kurt

Partial to Bell 500/504's myself, :rolleyes:


Not mine, I have one this color though, and black, green.....ect
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:WE500dialphone.jpg

I too knew Kurt was bit younger (I am 39) when he posted a pic of himself pin striping an old Raleigh three speed many moons ago. BTW Kurt, there is a set of 1973 Raleigh Three speed wheels on Philly craigslist.

As for the Trek ,thanks for your kind words and I looked for 6 months for the Trek headbadage and never came up with one, so I turned Dr. D loose!:p

Kurt,

I'm guessing that is really an 81 too. The older style Trek decal changed over to the panel style in 82. Another way to confirm is the chainstay length. The 81s used a 43.5 while the 82 had a 44.0 cs. My first Trek was an 82 613. I rode that bike from Seattle to Boston and it remained my regular ride for over a decade before I drove it under a car port while on the roof rack. (sigh)

JunkYardBike, great story! IMO, they were on the right track with that sport touring geometry. I can't tell you how happy I am to be riding that style bike again!!! As for Riv, GP has very different ideas of front end geometry. No where near enough rake for my taste. I'll take my Trek any day.

OK, I started today feeling pretty good, but now I have discovered that I am older than both Cudas combined...

My eldest son is 24 and the younger is 22...

If I had a child at 18, and that child had a child at 18, I would have a 14 year old grand child... Change the numbers to 16, and I would have a young great grand child.

I just wish I still had my Schwinn LeTour IV that I bought new, while I was in the Marines as it would be older than the Cudas! Or my Skid Lid I got shortly after that... my first helmet. :)

OK, enough feeling old, I am going back to work. :D


Woof! I'm right behind you! :)

Kurt,

I'm guessing that is really an 81 too. The older style Trek decal changed over to the panel style in 82. Another way to confirm is the chainstay length. The 81s used a 43.5 while the 82 had a 44.0 cs. My first Trek was an 82 613. I rode that bike from Seattle to Boston and it remained my regular ride for over a decade before I drove it under a car port while on the roof rack. (sigh)

How are you measuring that chainstay length? I just measured from the center of the BB spindle to the approximate center of the dropout on mine, and I got 45cm. 44cm takes me just outside the dropout.

You know, this thing does seem a bit long in the rear triangle.


JunkYardBike, great story! IMO, they were on the right track with that sport touring geometry. I can't tell you how happy I am to be riding that style bike again!!! As for Riv, GP has very different ideas of front end geometry. No where near enough rake for my taste. I'll take my Trek any day.

^
+1. That is one thing that has yet to be picked up by any of the major upholders of the steel frame these days. Perhaps it is partially due to the predominant quick handling desired by fixie riders?

-Kurt

I am strictly devoted to vintage for everything - automobiles, clothing, furniture, telephones - you name it. Not to mention that if said item is not fixable, I don't particularly care for it. Case in point: My favorite telephone in the house is a Kellogg 1000 "Red Bar" roatery. If nessesary, I can open up the entire mechansim and service every last piece of it. It'll outlast any modern phone tenfold.
and yet I've talked to you on a cell phone while digging through dusty vintage parts bin in the backrooms of LBS? And don't forget, one day soon AOL will do away with dail-up and you'll have to switch to a modern high speed computer and internet connection!

Now I wonder if he is supplementing the income from his fast food job... the first time around.
You should hear him play the piano. He doesn't need any fast food work. Any congregation would pay him $100+ to play for their weekly service. Not bad for an hour's work.

In the UK, you simply cannot use a rotary phone anymore. All the old pulse dial exchanges are gone, they're all tone dial now, so the rotary phones just can't do it.

Oh, good lord; my motorcycle helmet is a year older than Kurt...

Oh, good lord; my motorcycle helmet is a year older than Kurt...
...so does that mean you can use it for another 19 years? :rolleyes:

JunkYardBike, great story! IMO, they were on the right track with that sport touring geometry. I can't tell you how happy I am to be riding that style bike again!!! As for Riv, GP has very different ideas of front end geometry. No where near enough rake for my taste. I'll take my Trek any day.

It was interesting to hear Steve Willis use that term, because it was your website that set me on the quest to find a "sport touring" frame. Most other bike shops, sellers, enthusiasts, etc. scratch their heads when I use that term as a category.

I do have a mid 70s Austro Daimler Inter-10 with "sport touring" geometry which feels like a perfect fit and glided beautifully. Unfortunately, the frame is in a sorry state (may need a new fork) and it lacks any braze-ons, so I decided to find something with at least one set of water bottle braze-ons and decent paint. When I found the Trek 530, I spent some time trying to compare its photos with those you have posted of your 510. I thought I had a match, but I was wrong. Thanks for the website, though; it's very well done and I often direct people there for an overview of frame geometry.

and yet I've talked to you on a cell phone while digging through dusty vintage parts bin in the backrooms of LBS? And don't forget, one day soon AOL will do away with dail-up and you'll have to switch to a modern high speed computer and internet connection!

Not my cell phone, not my internet connection. I detest AOL (one of my vintage exceptions is fiddling around with computers - out of nessesity) but I'm not the one who chooses it.


You should hear him play the piano. He doesn't need any fast food work. Any congregation would pay him $100+ to play for their weekly service. Not bad for an hour's work.

Thank you for the compliment Bob.

-Kurt

In the UK, you simply cannot use a rotary phone anymore. All the old pulse dial exchanges are gone, they're all tone dial now, so the rotary phones just can't do it.

Anti-vintage are they across the pond? ;)

-Kurt

I'm also considering another pair of white Bluemels for this machine - what do you fellows think of the idea?

-Kurt

You want 70's... Go for orange fenders!:D :D :D

With all the yard sale bike buying I've done, I own no bikes older than I am.

All of my bikes are older than I am:D ...I'm only a few years older than Kurt.