Classic & Vintage - Trek with strange serial #

I just picked up this Trek on Ebay for $200 shipped

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3033648606_8c9094ee61_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/3033647682_529db4a7c1.jpg

the serial # appears to be M6C0B78

from what i was able to find on vintagetrek.com it appears this is a 1980 412 or 414

and apparently the "6" means it's a 57.5 cm seat tube?

It's got Ishiwata 022 tubes, so did I get a good deal?

and am I right about the size?? I hope so

Right on every count. A Trek 400, the little numbers signify a parts variance. The Ishiwata tubing was cheaper that Reynolds, but was pretty much equivalent in every other way. The paint (Imron), the lugs, and the construction were identical. I have blind-tested Ishiwata and Reynolds Trek frames, for fun, and could not tell the smallest difference. Clean it up and ride it. Sometimes you'll see the stickers come up on eBay for not a lot.

thanks! I was wondering the difference in the 412 vs 414, just slightly different componants i suppose. I have a reynolds 531 1981 Trek 600 that's too small for me (it's a 21") so this bike will replace it. same color too :)

I'm excited about the Ishiwata tubing as well, I read up on some threads regarding the tubing after posting this & it seems to be great.

I have some new sks fenders, a new brooks b17 & some other stuff i have been collecting to build up a touring bike & i think this may be the perfect candidate :)

who knows, if i can find a good frame painter i may go all out & get it repainted in the original color & if i could find those snazzy art deco decals it would fulfill a dream of mine as the trek i have now was my first road bike & the one i fell in love with cyling on :)

all in time though

That color is really cool when it is all cleaned up, and I have yet to find anyone who can match the early Trek Metallics. They used a little larger flake in the paint, and it really shines...I can't quite tell but the paint doesn't look too bad. Try rubbing it out with some Meguiars and see if it'll come back up.

thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try & restore unless i find rust or something that justifies re-paint