brian3069 

Almost finished rehabbing a Trek 720 that I picked up last summer. When I bought it, the bar end shifters had been changed for 105 index down tube shifters. Will not having bar end shifters will affect the value when I go to sell.

Thanks

wrk101

In my opinion, yes. Someone buying that bike will want two things, a true touring bike, and a classic. The closer to original, the better. Shouldn't cost much to convert back, and those index 105 DT shifters will be handy on a future build and look out of place on the 720. Note, if all of the drive train has been changed out and modernized, then I am not sure barcons will matter much. What are the other drive train components?

I assume you are talking about an early 80s Trek 720. If you are talking about a newer bike, then it is a hybrid, and shifter style is not important. (I hat how Trek has reused the same model number for a totally different bike).

brian3069 

Thanks bill, it's a 1982 touring bike. 6 speed shifters, SIS freewheel, and Deore derailleur. I figured the bike would do better with original shifters, I wanted to sure before spending the extra money.

rhm

Bear in mind that a lot of the early 720's were sold as bare frame. The original equipment is whatever the original owner put on it.

In my opinion the 720 is a classic touring bike, but not a classic in the other sense. A potential buyer is going to want it for touring, not for a collection.

And if it's an '82, without cantilever brazeons, it may not be what someone wants for serious touring anyway (though I do tour on mine, also an '82 without cantis).

brian3069 

Actually it's a 728. The bike is original except the RD, shifters, and rims (original hubs).

wrk101

The 728 is a pretty special bike. Depending on the quality of the bike, and the overall cosmetics, within reason, I would try to get it to stock.

I picked up a 1979 Trek 714 (precursor to the 720 series) at a thrift store that was really Frankened. Its on the list to get it back close to original.
FWIW, mine came with barcons. Go figure. Almost everything on the bike is not original. I'll have it at least looking period correct when I am done.




This bike had my all time favorite PO seat post clamp arrangement. Every time I see this pic, it makes me laugh.

jacksbike

Well, you don't have to worry about the seat going anywhere soon.

brian3069 

Finished up tonight, thought I'd share a picture. Please excuse the pedals.

wrk101

Very nicely done!! Bar cons are perfect on that bike. You should do quite well selling that bike.

cloudhead

I replaced the SunTour bar-end shifters on my '85 720, which were damaged, with VO's Dia Compe shifters, and they work perfectly with the original powertrain:

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-shifters.html

I believe Shimano makes an indexed bar-end shifter as well.