In the C&V court of public opinion I’m pleading guilty to several counts of I don’t know what I’m doing. (Will this bike be staying or going? You decide.)
On my behalf I did what I was trained to do. I got in the car and drove immediatly. Not once but twice. On the second trip an ’81 Trek 710 came home with me. It test rode very well. Here’s where the lunacy picks up velocity. The bike doesn’t fit. It’s a 24” frame, the daily driven ’72 Schwinn Super Sport is also a 24” frame. The SS fits like a glove, gets used pounding out asphalt on the commute.
First thing the Trek goes into the LBS for a brake tune, (gotta be safe). Their immediately blowing smoke, is that a museum piece? Jeez it’s older than me. The owner isn’t working but the lead mechanic with 22 years on the job is. His prognoses ride the bike and get acclimated to it. He feels like the frame isn’t too large, you can change the stem and seat post to get her dialed in. Okay basic plan, easy goals, procure stem with shorter extension. Haha this frame was built with Dura-ace bits. Along with a Campy FD and Dia Compe AC250g brake levers.
A stem candidate gets sold at auction for $162.00:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHIMANO-DURA...#ht_500wt_1059
I participated up to a point. As this is being written another candidate, “Shimano 1980's 80mm DURA-ACE Retro stem, HIDDEN BOLT,” is bid at $82.00. What’s really needed is a DA stem with a 70mm extension. Hens tusks I tell ya!
So some options, spend $55-70 for a Nitto Technomics Forged Aluminum Stem, 60-70mm. Which isn’t vintage but might get me driving it. Along with finding a DA zero offset seat post? Is there such a thing? If it’s a keeper ideally the shifters move from the down tube to the barends. At this point in the exercise I’m confident the bike could be sold now, netting a scratch. The meter is currently at $260.00.
This bike rally glides! But if I can’t get it dialed in at a reasonable price one of you lucky ducks is going to get stuck with it. What’s your verdict senators?
Please run down my options as you see them.