Johnny 831

Hi there, I just finished up this 84 Trek 420, 48CM frame. I was looking into it, and this appears to be the entry level touring bike for Trek at that time. True Temper tubing, dia compe 500 series w/ QR brakes. Sakae bottom bracket, CX triple crank, with shimano light action derailleurs + downtube shifters. Road champion handle bars, Sakae custom neck + seat stem. I was considering drilling out the back brake mount to accomadate a recessed brake. I have a full shimano 600 series that I got for about $40, that would make it a little more valuable, but maybe I should keep searching for a higher model like a 620 or 720?

I took everything off, soaked it in metal rescue, and but a new cartridge bottom bracket in. Repacked the headset, new cables + housing, new chain + handlebar grip. Wheelset is brand new Weinmann hubs, LP18 AL rims with 25CM 700c Vitorias. O, and a cool vintage Turbo saddle :0 Any thoughts on market value for here in Nor Cal? Any thoughts are appreciated thanks!~

FastJake

Nice bike. I think something like this might sell in the $200-250 range around here. Super small size helps, as there are more buyers than bikes available. Probably worth more in your area.

oddjob2

In the land of the declining value high tech stock option, mid $300s. Good size too for the heavily Asian market!

mstateglfr 

Maybe 600 will get you more $ out there, but whats on there now is certainly 90%+ of what could be on there. I love my 600 components, but whats on there is really solid as is.
Also, is the 600 tricolor or earlier? The earlier groups arent nearly as desirable. I have tricolor and some 600 which came out the year before tricolor(dont remember the group #) and really cant tell the difference, they are both excellent. But friction 600 isnt nearly as coveted from what ive read.
Seems like a lot of work to swap everything out for 600 when the return just wouldnt be there(at least not where I am).

dailycommute

Looks good and you did a nice job on the rehab. Will it pay off? Generally my experience is complete, done right overhauls with new wheels, etc rarely pay back. So I tend to keep those and ride them awhile. Trek values tend to hold up but in my backwater area they rarely bring more than 200, even totally overhauled personal keeper sold last year (86 trek 500) only brought 200. Sold this beater trek 420 last spring for 180 but made no money after spending too much to overhaul, even with frankenbuild (see above!). And currently have a 87 elance 400 listed on CL for 200, not one response.

Overall I do think 80s steel prices are on a slow decline though always exceptions. For that reason I think the wide range of 200-300 is probably fmv right now.

Andy_K 

I find that it's pretty tough to sell people on upgraded components. Most potential buyers for a bike like this are mostly just concerned about whether or not the components work. Those that know enough to appreciate upgraded components probably also want a higher end frame.

AlexCyclistRoch

Why a long-cage derailleur? It must've come originally with a short-cage.

eschlwc

i include a photo of the bare frame (with separate fork) in my craigs ads to better show the bike has been fully overhauled.

it works.

they just have to take my word for it i serviced the hubs as well. B^)