lxpatterson

My commuter is a good condition 84 or 85 Trek 560 frame with various bits. The wheelbase is super long bc it is designed, i suppose, for big rear panniers. But i ride a suburban/urban commute 90% of he time with it and i want to shorten the stays for better traction. Is it possible to get the stays shortenend wout changing the bb and seatpost lug? Also what is the supply of 531 tubing like, since that is what this bike is made of.

Cyclist0094

You sure you don't have a 520?
The 85 trek 560 was a basic sport/road bike built from 501 tubing I have an bent 85 frame hanging in the barn. The chainstays are not that long. you could shorten them at most an inch but you will need to replace the horizontal drop outs with verticles so you can get the wheel on and off. You will probaly need to use the breezer type dropouts (which need to be fillet brazed) since the tube inside diameter may become too great when you cut the chainstays to use tabbed dropouts.

If you are having traction issues, I would first consider the tires and perhaps your riding position.

If by chance you do have a 520 frame, put it on ebay and you should easily get enough to buy a newer shorter WB frame

Cyclist0094

here is a 560 on vintage trek, is this what you have?

lxpatterson

thanks for the replies.

no that's not what i have. you are right. i got the numbering system wrong. The 520 seems more right, if that is the touring model. i am leary to change the lugs and so on bc they are really nicely crafted. and as i understand it, frames like this are always desirable. I will see if i can post a pic up

lxpatterson

here is a picture of the bike. as you can see, i can stick a fist between the ST and the wheel. it was originally for 27" but i am running 700c for convenience.

Cyclist0094

I don't know Trek's all that well but that might also be a 720 which predated the 520. Regardless I wouldn't cut it . Sell the frame on ebay or the classifieds as a touring frame and buy what you want with the proceeds

lxpatterson

how much would it be worth? I mean it is in really nice shape, no rust and the only defect is a little burn mark on the bb shell and some wear. but not rusted at all.

Cyclist0094

I am not good at pricing used bikes especially older ones. There is a couple 520's for sale on ebay and some other older treks. I would watch those auctions and see what they sell for. If the frame and fork are as good as you describe I would think $150-$200 for the frame and fork?

cooker

You might be able to identify the model and year here. It's not an 84 Trek 520 (which I own), since it doesn't have the "windmill"-like spider on the crankset.