truckface

Aww thanks! The story behind it isn't *all* that interesting, but here goes...

My beloved '83 Expedition got stolen in February, and I ended up getting a better-than-expected renters insurance settlement out of it. Decided to try and use those funds to A) purchase another vintage tourer; and B) get it retro-fitted with S&S couplers. It's something I've always thought about doing, but would probably never do because of the cost. Ended up scoring a 1984 720 in my size thanks to a kind member of the MiyataSpecTour Yahoo group.

I talked to Johnny Coast about the couplers, and decided to go ahead and have it converted to 650B at the same time, since it was going to need a repaint after the work anyway. (I'm a 650B convert, and figured the smaller wheels would also make it a bit easier to pack into the travel case.) He not only moved the canti studs down, but also spaced them as widely as possible to accommodate modern cantilevers.

The original bike was the 1984 maroon paint, but I always preferred the 1983 decals and colors so I decided to go for that look. Although a 1984 720, the serial number indicates that it was actually built in 1983, so I figured that made it ok to give it the 1983 treatment.

Right now, everything is original except for:

- wheels (Shimano 105 laced to Velocity Dyads + Compass Babyshoe Pass tires)
- brakes (Paul touring/neo-retro)
- brake levers (Suntour Superbe)
- pedals (MKS Sylvan touring)

Still not 100% decided on racks, but am thinking black Tubus, Surly, or a combo of both. Going to replace the saddle too, as it's the most uncomfortable Avocet I've ever used. Will probably go for a different Avocet touring model, or maybe a Brooks Cambium?

oceanreefer

I bought this Trek 720 Multitrack in 2009 in Miami. It was never used, but it's black and has to be a 1991 model and the shop owner suggested to me because I wanted a good, solid bicycle to commute about 10 miles to and fro to work, didn't want to break the bank and wasn't at all interested in buying an expensive rig that came with pink spandex pants I've modified it over time to adjust to the road quality here in South Florida (lots of glass and debris) and my aging back. Anyhow, I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. FYI, the 3rd image (tiny strip to the right) is a list of the original specs.

jeirvine 

Here's my winter project 1980 Trek 414. A fun riding bike.

truckface

That looks really fun! One day I'll have an orange bike.

motochick 

Friend sold me his bike for $36. I used the frame/fork for my new build. Total cost with me building the wheels is about $1200, weight is 22lbs. It rides like a Cadillac. Please ignore the fugley carbon seat post, a silver Thomson is on the way.

The Golden Boy 

Wow!

That's looking sharp.

I don't want to know how much I've poured into my bikes over the years.

jeirvine 

Saw this '86 Trek 560 Pro Series on the local CL for $140 and drove out to take a look. Was pleasantly surprised by the condition, and the Campy 28h tubular wheelset, (and it fits me), so I made an offer and took it home. The bars will go, but I look forward to building this one up to ride:

jeirvine 

560 Update. Not the final parts, but rideable. With 7sp tricolor wheels.

a77impala

My '96 930 SHX?, put rigid fork from cross bike and 700/38 wheels and tires. Rides like a dream. Will be used on Rails to Trails.

The Golden Boy 

I really dig the look of that bike- as an aside- that background totally intrigued me- I spent a whole afternoon reading about the history of Glen Echo Park.

toavii

My '83 Trek 620 as found:



How it sits currently:




Not sure if I'll keep the Brooks Cambium on there or not. Don't have any extra leather Brooks' laying around to but I did have this Cambium (my 2nd). It actually sort of looks at home on it. Anyway, mostly stock 620 that I completely went through and added new consumables to. Not positive if the 1st Gen Cyclone rear der was there since new (did not ask original owner) but thrilled it's there because I love them on my bikes. Extremely clean bike, only two nicks in the paint throughout the whole thing, that white spot on the head tube and small paint chip on the non-drive side top tube. Fantastic riding bike.

sloar 

I love seeing the before and after pics of these treks. It's amazing what a few new parts and a bath will do to these machines. Nice Treks everyone.

Barrettscv 

Very nice! I like my 400 but wish it had room for larger tires. What wheelset and tires are you using?

motochick 

I built the wheels myself, Velocity Synergy 650b, 28H, laced to BHS hubs. The tires are Lierres, 38mm measured, plenty of room.

sloar 

Fedex guy will be bringing this Friday. It's going to take a lot of cleaning and polishing, but I really like the fact that its all original. Originally looking for parts for a repainted 660 that I have. Thinking I'm gonna turn the red 660 into a modern 10 speed.

vintagepedals

my barn find 1982 TREK 720, restored with love!

sloar 

Very nice, good work.

oddjob2

Very nice, but they have barns in Southern CA?

sloar 

Everytime I post a bike, the very next poster has a nicer bike to show off.

oddjob2

Shawn, your restored bikes always look great!

BTW, I hope you got a break on the high shipping fee?

sloar 

I was joking on that, but thanks. That shipping was crazy wasnt it?

sloar 

It was a local pickup from a very good friend of mine. He's shipping it to me at a much lower shipping price.

oddjob2

Yeah, 3 Ulysses Grant Portraits is insane. I have bought via ebay this year four bikes; Trek 560, Trek Carbon 2200 (full Campy as OEM), Serotta Nova Special, and a Bridgestone RB-1 frame. Two were local pickup only, and the others were nearby that I saved on shipping. Better than the local deals on CL, except for one Paramount Series 50 MTB, cherry for $50.00. The MTB is too small and the Serotta is too big, but I'll keep the other 3.

upthywazzoo 

Mylanta Green is the best green!! I changed all the Super Record out for Dura-Ace, however. The Super Record is going on a Lotus..

ZeniCycles

For along time I have been trying to come up with a bicycle that is an all arounder for me and the style of riding I do. Lots of country roads, gravel, forest roads and double track. I think the early Treks are so over looked as fantastic frames before Trek became the company that makes all the hybrids and other stuff, when they focused on one thing. I think I finally got that bike. I took a 1980 Trek 412 that actually had a Le Tour crank and mix match of other parts, only the frame and stem are original, and put a Shimano Tiagra 9 speed group set on it. The ride is perfect! I will build up some wheels on some Dura Ace hubs i recently got for the parts collection. I have some fine tuning left like an early Jim Blackburn rack and maybe a B67m because I like very long rides for camping.

The build can be seen here and all my other work.
John's Bicycle Restorations: My 1980 Trek 412 "Restomod" Restoration