Classic & Vintage - Picked up a Trek TX770

Hi everyone,
So I picked up a Trek TX770 the other day for $160. The seatpost was stuck and I got it out with PB Blaster and by clamping the seatpost into a bench vice and twisting the frame for about an hour and I'm going to do an OA soak and touch up the rust spots with nailpolish. There are two things that I don't know what to do about though. I tried cleaning the wheels with PB Blaster, but I was wondering if there was a better way to clean them. I was also wondering if it's possible to get new Columbus decals from anywhere? I know I can get the Trek decals from Velocals, but I can't find any Columbus ones. I'm wondering if they just don't sell them so that people can't rebadge their bikes as columbus when they're something else.
Thanks,
Scott

Sorry I meant to post this in C&V... I also found the columbus decals on ebay. I just need information on cleaning old aluminum wheels..

Nice find. I've got a '78 TX500 I ride regularly. To clean the grime from the rims, soapy water will work. To polish bare aluminum (if that's what you're working with), you'll need a polish like Mothers or Simichrome or similar and lots of patience. It's easer to polish a rim that is free of spokes, obviously, but it's possible on a built wheel. A buffing machine makes the task simpler, but I'm not sure how easy it would be to work around the spokes. I've done rims by hand, and the results vary depending on the time I decide to spend on them. I imagine if you're willing to put in the hours and invest lots of elbow grease, you can get them super shiny.

Good luck, and post some pics!

Thanks :) I think I could've gotten if for less than $160, but I didn't know... $160 was my first offer and he took it.

It's a good deal. I paid more for my TX500 frame alone.

I'm a bit confused, though. Where did you get the TX770 model name? Based on the info on vintage-trek.com, the TX700 series came with Reynolds 531 tubes. Only the TX900 model came with Columbus.

Yes, in '77 the 700's were 531 and the 900's were Columbus.

They made the TX770's in Columbus (http://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek_galleryRH.htm) while the 700's were 531.

To get the rims looking really good you have to have infinite patience - or, you simply need to rebuild the wheels and polish the raw rims.

They made the TX770's in Columbus (http://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek_galleryRH.htm) while the 700's were 531.

Very interesting. That was a great deal then, and we don't even know the component list on Scott's particular bike. Looks like it had the typical TX700 geometry (sport touring) with Columbus tubes.

It has all the same components as a TX700. The only difference, I believe, is the Columbus tubing. The previous owner switched the RD from a Cyclone to a 105, but everything else is original.

They made the TX770's in Columbus (http://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek_galleryRH.htm) while the 700's were 531.

According to the brochures on Vintage-Trek, there was no 770 in '77
I don't remember ever building one either.

The one on vintage-trek is a 77. Maybe it's still just called a 700, but with Columbus tubing?
http://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek_galleryRH.htm

Good point, I'm not sure how common those were. There was a certain amount of sloppiness in those days. I usually have to look things up, anyone that can remember the '70s wasn't there.