jamesdak 

This popped up locally and I couldn't pass up on the chance to try one of these out.

It's been upgraded some over the years. It's now got a Shimano 600 crankset with 52/39 chainrings. The RD is a Dura Ace 7401, Freewheel is a 7 speed Sachs 13-26, FD is Dura Ace too. Dura Ace indexing downtube shifters also and the cables look brand new. It's still sporting the original Shimano 105 levers and brake calipers. Original handlebars too, why where they so narrow back in the day? Seems like I'm always swapping these on my vintage bikes for the 42cm I prefer....

The paint is pretty nice with it's share of small chips from years of use. The rear wheel is toast and was readily identified by the previous owner. I've got a couple of wheel sets around so I should be able to sort out that problem but need to research. I'm assuming an old 7 speed cassette can work with this but I don't know for certain yet.

I love the color and the frame seems really well put together. Not that I can call those lugs beautiful though. I think something like "industral" is more fitting, LOL! Weighed an even 23 lbs when I got it home.

Anyway, it's dark so just one quick shot tonight with the cellphone. Once I get it cleaned up and have some time I'll post proper shots.

TenGrainBread 

Always love the fastback stays on these bikes.

OldsCOOL

Those "industrial" lugs are well loved by us classic Trek owner/riders. Nice bike, love that color! Let us know how you like the ride. My 460 and 760 have a very lively ride. The geo fit me well. Great bikes.

plonz 

Has to be the tallest headset lock nut I've ever seen.

Bike looks great and I love the colors. Makes me think about digging out the 760 frameset I have collecting dust in the closet.

francophile 

Had a 460 in race blue ('84) pop up on CL in my size this weekend listed at $140. Checked it out, talked the seller down because of weirdness with the headset and under-paint corrosion across the TT. It's a nice ride, I already have a 660 and they ride/feel very similar, although the 460 weighs a little more, I imagine your 560 is just as snappy. Fun bike.

I just decided to venture into Trek this past year, and I like what I'm feeling. I haven't managed to ride a touring model yet and I really want one, so I'm actively hunting for a 420/520/720 (or similar) in 22.5in or even one of the older TX models, just have yet to come across one in my size or anyone looking to trade.

Interesting. What size and color?

fleslider 

Nice find, My brother has the same bike, in a 58cm. I love that color and it stock had 105 it is a awesome bike. I miss that bike.

Good luck! and post some more pics when you get a chance.

jamesdak 

Yeah I want to try the beast out but I,ve got to source a replacement rear wheel first. I've got a few freehub wheels available but no freewheel type.

francophile 

I've got a 700c Matrix/Helicomatic wheelset with virtually new slicks off an '84 4xx series if you want a whole wheelset from a Trek a couple years earlier. Not "perfect", but would work.

shoota 

Yep I have the same bike. Not light but it's a great ride and you're right the color is awesome.

A little trick for the RD cable that goes through the chainstay.. when you go to take out the current, affix a string to the end somehow and try to pull it through along with the cable. Then when you go to put the new cable in you can affix the string again and guide it back to the RD area. You'll see what I'm saying.

Dave Cutter

I've heard different theory's... wish I knew for sure myself. One story I've heard was that was thought to be the most aero back then. Another view is the typical rider was thinner/younger than todays riders. I don't know. NICE BIKE!

Yeah. I call the lugs on my '88 Trek 360's investment cast. I think they're nice. I read somewhere that those last few years (of steel Treks) were soldered together in an automated jig somehow. Even the low-end were American made. And fine bicycles...IMHO.

plonz 

57cm c-c. I believe they call it Beaujolais.

jamesdak 

Well I sure was thinner in the 80s myself.

jamesdak 

Finally got a few minutes to snap some pics of the Trek before I start working on it.

jamesdak 

jamesdak 

qcpmsame 

Kudos on picking this Trek up, it is a beautiful looking bicycle. I like the choices of components on it, very well thought out. These model and period Treks don't get the respect, and mentions, they deserve, IMHO.

Please post more as you progress whether its just a clean and refresh, or a project with a specific goal in mind.

Bill

texaspandj

Pretty cool bike and color. Good score. There's just something about those 80s bikes. I think the 70s bike industry was on to something and in the 80s they got it right.

Knet

Nice bike, looks to be in good shape too. That '87 model year in Treks is a real sweet-spot, IMHO. That should make for a nice riding bike.

I refreshed an '87 myself this year, been VERY happy with it out on the trails.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...sh-update.html

jamesdak 

Yeah this one is gonna be a clean up and just start using. Still deciding on if I want to replace the jacked up rear wheel with a freehub setup or stick with the freewheel. Those embossed Trek lugs are starting to grow on me.

jamesdak 

Well I swapped in a old set of Shimano 105/Mavic 4CD wheels with a brand new 7 speed cassette onto the bike to replace the screwed rear wheel. And of course then I noticed that I missed that the brake cables seem to be hanging up in the housings. Guess I'll tackle that next.

I lost a whole 5 ozs with the wheel swap. Look out weight weenies, LOL!

Primitive Don

Nice find and Dura Ace upgrades. I lucked into the EX version of this bike 6 years ago; it was my first 531 frame. We have become fast friends ever since.

jamesdak 

Thanks, got to attack the brake cable next, then bar tape and polish out the nasty looking seatpost and it should be ready to rock.

I threw on a set of GP4000s tires I bought accidently with the reflective strips on them. I normally don't like how these look but to be honest the "whitish" stripe on the tires sorta seems to go well with all the white on the bike.

The Golden Boy 

If you do Google image search- one 560 you'll see is/was Southpawboston's. That's the one with the white lined lugs. That turquoise/teal color with the white lug lining looks sharp.

Although most lug lining is done on "traditional" curvy lugs, the investment cast lugs create some nice lines of their own. His bike was a direct inspiration for me to do the lugs on my 720.


Not to entirely contradict you- but I think people know and appreciate "vintage" Treks. (at least the people here do) While out in the wild, there's a lot of "Trek is the Borg" stuff...

However, I don't think people understand how nice even the lower tier bikes are. I got my 1986 400 Elance, mostly because it's pretty. I think it's an outrageously beautiful bike. I've kept that bike mostly because it's pretty. However, recently, I put some different wheels on there- and it's amazing how much of a difference a set of wheels will make. I've had a few different sets of wheels on that bike- but this recent set had come on my Trek 720- so these would have been top shelf for Trek- and the bike rides fantastic. It feels more nimble- it feels like I associate the ride of 531 with (even though it has a CrMo fork and stays).

I can only imagine the feel of that 560 with the racing geometry and that equipment on there. You're a lucky man!

shoota 

Mine in one of its many builds.

jamesdak 

Well I took it out for the first real ride today right after I got down with a 25 mile ride on my newly built up Schwinn Circuit. So the initial impression may be a bit biased.

But the bike felt fine and the indexing on the RD was spot on with the new cassette. The front needs some work or I do, LOL! I overshifted going to the large chain ring lat in the ride and threw the chain off.

Now, how did it feel? Stiffer than the Circuit and harsher as to be expected. The Trek is running a longer allow seat post and today I had my Fizik Arione Vs on it which is not as comfortable as the Kurve saddle on the Circuit. Like most old vintage bikes I pick up the handlebars are too narrow for me. I prefer 42cm bars and it seems like everything I find in this age group has narrower bars. Still they were too bad.

But after a few miles I dropped it down to the smallest cog on the back and went after it. This bike took off! For a two mile stretch I never dropped below 22 mph, hit a top end over 32 and probably averaged around 25 mph without trying that hard. I think this bike will flat out fly with a better rider on it.