Originally Posted by
Classtime
In all my reading here and elsewhere, the only weakness in a vintage touring bike is the rear hub with its freewheel and axle. If I was planning a "serious" tour, I'd consider a freehub rear wheel with a 7 speed cassette for my 85 TREK 620.
This is absolutely the truth. Most vintage tourers will carry you long distances over many weeks and months of adventuring, except that your axle might snap due to the load and problematic design. I would feel much more secure touring with either a freehub or a Phil Wood freewheel hub (which has a much larger diameter axle than all the rest).