clintbradford

Pulled my old 1978 Trex TX500 frameset out of the barn that I built up l-o-n-g ago. It cleaned up really nicely. Photos at ...

https://homepage.mac.com/clintbradford/PhotoAlbum9.html

I thought the frame would need refinishing: It had a dull, grey dinge to it. But after removing all components, holding the dear old friend-of-a-frame in my lap and applying hot water and soap-on-a-sponge to it, the DuPont Imron came right back to its original luster.

I also found Gary Fisher's 1978 Bicycling Magazine article, describing his tour of the then-new Trek frame plant. Is is on the "Documents" page of the same site.

Clint Bradford, K6LCS
<Phone number redacted by Admin>

mkeller234

Nice job, you have to post this one in the before and after thread!

digitalbicycle

That thing is a beaut! And those pedals are awesome, I've never seen Phil pedals before.

luker

so....what else you got stashed in that barn?

cobrabyte

I have a 1980 Trek 412. Same 022 tubes, same color......same flick-stand even!

Great Job! & thanks for the link to the article too!

cyclotoine

That is an awesome bike, it is a very true representation of a hot rod using all the high quality and lightweight parts of the time. I love everything right down to the bullseye pulleys and those cable clips with "drillium". What brand are they by the way?

One note, the brake pads are upsidedown. I hope you kept the original pad holders too.

Oh and the black seatpost, that is a real gem as well. not to often you see that do you know if it was done aftermarket?

clintbradford

Oh, believe me - if the frame didn't clean up as well as it did, I would have been too embarassed to publicize this at all ... (grin)

I spoke with a frame refinisher listed on ...

https://www.vintage-trek.com

... and per his suggestion, took all parts off the frame and tried hot, soapy water applied with a sponge to clean the frame. It was almost a religious experience ...

The rest of the "thanks" go to my wife - who purchased the cool Dremel tool kit for me a couple years ago.

23skidoo

Not to mention the gorgeous Modolo blue-anodized Pro brakeset and that fine-looking Concor saddle; if you get tired of riding it and having it around let me know. Beautiful bike all around. My TX500 is out in San Diego getting repainted by Joe Bell Bicycle Refinishing and if you sent him your head badge and the little brass screws he'd refurb and clearcoat it for not all that much $$$.

clintbradford

>> ... those cable clips with "drillium". What brand are they by the way?

The middle one is a Campy. The outer two are Modolo.

>> ... the brake pads are upsidedown ....

Although they look weird, there is an "arrow, directional" pattern on the side that hits the rims - they are, indeed, installed correctly.

>> ... I hope you kept the original pad holders too ...

THERE'S a story there. YES, I have the original, blue Modolo Pro brakepads and holders.

Well, I have three of them ...

I cleaned one up and took it with me to show (show off) to my local friendly dealer. I was going to see if a gentle "refinishing" of the brake pad surface would suffice (probably not), or if they had a compatible slide-in replacement pad (probably).

I carried the little pad with its tire guide around with me as I dropped my wife off at a client's house, then I drove to Home Depot. I finished a conversation on a ham radio with someone, and I had the brakepad in my hand. I left the car with the bradkepad in my hand, fingering the little tire guide - knowing exactly where the Dremel accessories were, I headed to the main entrance of Home Depot ...

But on the way in - at the very last parking stall of the row nearest the front door, a woman was trying to lift four bags of fertilizer into her SUV. She was obviously struggling with the unweildly size and weight of the bags. So, Good Samaritan Clint offers to assist.

Finished that task, and off I went to the Dremel accessory section of the store - made my purchase - returned to the car, and couldn't find the brakepad. I retraced my steps. Had three employees assist me looking for the thing. You could hear me slap my forehead in disgust for miles in all directions.

I think I must have set it on the edge of the woman's car while I used both hands to lift the bags for her.

It is gone. Home Depot has a color picture of it and my phone numbers posted in the employees' lounge. But it is gone.

And so it goes ...

>> ... Oh and the black seatpost, that is a real gem as well. not to often you see that do you know if it was done aftermarket?

I bought the frameset naked, and built the bike myself. The wheels shown (aero rims ... aero spokes in the front) were for when I was in a "speedier" mood. I also have a pair of more, well, more reasonable wheels for commuting and/or touring. The Campy seatpost came that way from the distributor.

cyclotoine

I just so happen to have a single modolo pad and holder. If you want it, it's yours for the price of shipping, though we have to make sure it's the correct side. If you have a photo, and can post it here I will compare etc...

clintbradford

>> ... the brake pads are upsidedown ...

I stand corrected - what good eyes you have! YES, the front pads needed to be switched around ...

Embarassingly yours,