Trek 420??
 

I found a Trek 420 locally on CL and the wheels of motion went off in my head. How are these overall? Also, How much tire could I fit under it? I have ideas of a gravel grinder dancing in my head..

Theyre good bikes, and if it fits you, by the time you wait for responses it will be gone.

Yep, good not great. Depends on the year exactly for geometry / clearance. I have an '84. Its a Mag alloy frameset -- rides very well just not as light as 531 etc.

Converted to 700c, I can fit 32mm Paselas + SKS longboard fenders no problem.

I emailed the seller and its a 92. They bought it from the original owner and they moved onto a newer bike so it needs to go. Its 7X2 shifting. I was thinking some different tires and swap in bar ends. It has downtubes..

If it is a '92 it may already be a 700c wheel so that cuts down your chance of getting a nice fat tire by swapping from 27 to 700c. Check Bikepedia. I think it only goes back to '93 but I bet the models are not that different.

According to Vintage Trek a 420 was not produced in 1992.

Must be a different year than a '92. That year Trek skipped from the 520, a touring model, to the 400, a sport bike. Same thing with '91. In 1990 there was a SunTour Blaze equipped 420: either in glacial blue with magenta decals or black with bright green decals. Either that or it's an earlier bike.

Pictures or a link to the CL ad would help.

They make nice bikes. You can modernize the drivetrain and chances are a 28mm 700cc tire will work (especially if it is a 27" model).

Looks mid-late 80s to me. Using vintage-trek.com you can probably pin down the year. Decent price, if it is in good condition and fits certainly worth checking out.

Based on this I'd guess a 90: Trek Bike Models by Year and Color

Local (SoCal) CL has a dark green Trek Road frame and fork for $50. It includes cantis that need some TLC. No wheels. It's probably an older 520 from the looks of what's left of the decals. Paint and decal look to be heavily worn. Exactly what you need on a bike you're going to abuse.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/bop/5066667220.htm

All you need to do is get the Seller to agree to ship it, or get a BF Member to agree to facilitate for you.

Here is some inspiration:
Trek 420 road gravel steel True Temper USA