Should I restore a Trek 610?
 

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I bought this last summer to ride until I could get my other bikes from the west coast. It is a beater in that it was rattle canned and the eyelets were drewed off. I didn't notice the loss of the eyelet until I got it home. I have vision problems and maybe some mental awareness ones too!

Now that I have my Colnago here, I am back in heaven. I really don't want to sell the Trek cause it is a nice rider, even though it is not in the best shape. I think there may be some rust under the paint, but until I sand it down, I won't know for sure. I like the bike. It is not as light as my "Nago. but it would be a great all around bike since it has clinchers and the 'Nago has tubulars.

Should I restore the Trek? It needs a replacement RD (little bent, but works) and the brakes were replaced with Dia Compe's. I would go back to 600's.

It has the original Helo-matic hub which works ok, so far. It is geared a little high though. The front hub should have its cones replaced, but other than that it is straight.

i like those, so if it were mine i would restore it.

At the least, tt will certainly make a nice everyday/all-weather rider bike next to your Colnago.
Anyway, the mid level 500 and 600 series Treks are two of the most popular model groups with C&V riders and collectors, so the money you put into them can easily be regained if you ever sell it as it will sell really easy and for usually what you want for it, as long as it is not a "unreasonable" price you set for it.

Chombi

The investment would be for the brakes, RD paint and decals. Oh maybe a seat. I don't like the sticky suede finsh and I am partial to Brooks. I thought I would smooth out the hacking of the eyelet removal too. Not much effort with a file and would get rid of any stress risers.

Great looking bike. What is wrong with the brakes and RD? I would certainly save them for possible future sale.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...4&d=1335817872

I love mine. It's just too small for me

I didn't notice you mentioned that the eyelets were cut off from the DOs. That does affect the value of the bike for a good number of people (Not by much, but I think it does) that do expect these bikes to have their eyelets as many fans of these bikes are not really into the hard core racer rides and would like to have the option of mounting racks and fenders on them.
Not fatal, but not a good thing either.
JMO
Chombi

I restored a trek 630 and made it all the things my 760 was not. The 760 is very racy and the 630 received a triple crank with bar ends. The 630 filled the light sport tourer role for me nicely (even without a rack or fenders it's just a different more relaxed ride than the 760 that I appreciate).

Test a little nail polish remover on that paint. You may be able to save the original Trek paint (Trek had the most durable vintage paint I have seen).

If you're looking to get your investment out of that bike post restoration, not gonna happen. If you want to ride and enjoy the bike post restoration, totally plausible. Restoration efforts (not rehabbing) on a production bike are usually not rewarded by a cash return.

Thanks all for the feedback. I would not restore it if I was not going to keep it. I am disappointed in the eylet definciency but, it does ride will. Going to a triple with bar ends is an interesting approach. I could be my all around trainer, saving the 'nago for special rides.
After some research, I found the original paint was Dupont Imron. I use to work at Freightliner and we painted all the trucks with it. It had a tendency to "heal" itself with very small dings. Next best thing to PC but not near the durability.

The reason for going to the 600 brakes would be for consistancy in equipment and the fact that they were original. The RD has been bent and I am having difficulty getting it straight. It works but I suspect it could be better. Clearly the cables are too short and need replacement. If there was a candidate for repaint this would be one. I need to do a minor wheel truing as well. I haven't checked the BB yet and the head set should be checked as well. I repacked the front axle due to a very rough rotation. One side looked good and the other was the pits! Huge improvement with repack and proper adjustment.