Great looking bike! I purchased one recently too. Same model, same year, and mostly original.




I don’t have any experience touring, or building a bike for that purpose, but with the 520 that will soon change.

Since I plan to take it into the hills, I’ll be keeping the triple. Plans are for discarding the Shimano RD which someone had swapped out the Cyclone with, and locating a “new” Cyclone GT to bring it back to spec. SunTour bar end shifters will replace the Cyclone downtube levers. I’m hunting for a set of Mavic MA 40 rims to lace up with a set of Tri-color hubs I have in a parts box. I’ll be using stainless db spokes. Brakes will stay original including levers, but will get a fresh set of kool stop all whether pads. I’ve got a Brooks Professional to throw on it. The drops will be reinstalled as well.

Tires are still undecided. Maybe Somas. I do want to ensure that I can fit fenders without issue however, so I’m thinking 32 is as far as I can push it.

For an initial fitting the plan is finding an original Blackburn Trek rear rack to hang panniers from, and a Nitto rack in front to support a handlebar bag.

I have no real idea if this is an ideal set up for this bike and the purpose I’d like it to serve, but it seems sensible enough, and likely to work well for weekend excursions. But if someone can convince me that lowriders would work successfully , I’d probably include those too.

Congrats on your 520! May there be countless miles of scenic enjoyment ahead for you.