RiddleOfSteel

This is the second of three recent buys/builds of mine, and this was a find I am very appreciative of. With the continual espousal of vintage Trek virtues around these parts and elsewhere, I was on the passive look-out for one that I'd really want to keep for a while. I've had proper vintage Treks in the past, but sold them for various reasons:

1981 Trek 715 (710 frameset) - Obviously too small. A good buy price, and the perfect recipient of some Campagnolo Triomphe components. This was 3+ years ago, so the brake-lever-to-bar-bend relationship is off. The paint was in great shape and this is simply a devastating hue of blue.


1981 Trek 616 (610 frameset) - 25.5" and built with full Shimano 600 Arabesque! Bought the nearly dead frameset from Bike Works, had it powder coated, and re-decaled it. Sold it for some reason (I forget!) to a very happy guy!



1983 Trek 970 - 64cm - Truly a rare model (one year only). Top tube was quite long as well. Redid the decals as the old ones were toast. Flawless manners, but it was a combination of the McDonald's paint job and just-barely-too-long brake reach that disallowed me from using full matching race groupsets from Shimano or others. I sold it as a frameset to an older gentleman who massively hot-rodded it and loves it! And that's the whole point, but yeah, that red, making people feel like fools for parting with red painted bikes.... If I could have a 950 frameset of the year before in that gorgeous ice white with blue panels, I wouldn't care about fit and semi-standard reach. Those things were HOT.


So that's a little bit of history with Trek and me. I have a 1988 560 in aqua which is a good bike, but the Treks I'm focusing on here are the pre '84/'85 models that I've had and that I really consider to be early-era Treks.

RiddleOfSteel

A New Opportunity

Two months ago I was cruising Craigslist as usual and up popped a "1984 Trek" for $150 just north of me. Turns out it was the same guy I've bought from before, and of course in the same parking lot. I had a hard time believing it was a 1984 due to the graphics scheme, so I internally pegged it to be from a few years earlier. The ad was fairly new and I jumped at the chance to own a proper high level vintage Trek in my size. The thing was even pewter for crying out loud! How much more classic Trek could you get? Oh, right, you could leave off shifter bosses on high end bikes for no reason... ok, minor annoyance aside, I met the guy and gave him my money after a short spin around the lot where it was revealed that this was a lovely smooth handling bicycle, but I would need more time with it and to ditch the crusty and failing old tires!

This was how she looked once I got her home. So much WD-40 sprayed on the chain and derailleurs etc, so I had to ditch the tired old chain to make sure my apartment didn't smell like a garage.

That bag contained original owners manuals and the bill of sale from when it was sold used at a different shop!


Look at all that 600 Arabesque! And in great shape!


Essentially NOS Cateye cyclo-computer that tracked cadence and speed.


Man, so cool, but also so coming off this bike ASAP!


I get a Big Boy Trek with a big seat stay cap proudly stamped "TREK" - I am a big fan of this detail.


Them 531 decals are just dyin' on me!

RiddleOfSteel

More Initial Detail Shots

Paint is doing pretty well for being 37 years old. The shift levers? Not as much.


The much-ballyhoo'd "W-Cut" chain rings!


MKS pedals in nice shape. I still have them, but they're not on the bike.


Short cage rear derailleur and that old school coil rear derailleur housing.


That reflector might as well be the Death Star it's so massive. Brake calipers look to be in good shape as well.


Artsy shot. The front wheel still had its original Rigida 13-20 rim while the rear was replaced with a Mavic MA2. Both wheels had considerably corrosion at the nipples and on all the spokes. I ended up donating the tired wheels and planned on scoping out some suitable replacements. The rest of the bike was so nice, I wanted wheels that would match and be in much better condition.

RiddleOfSteel

Frame Cleaning, Compounding, and Waxing - Plus an Initial Build

So here we go to the very cozy corner of the counter in my apartment, laying a towel down and getting to the task of restoring the 'core' of this bike before anything else is done. The usual clean, compound, and wax process is carried out, and though it's hard to see, I do like the results.

The serial number is 005201, which was very much not what the bill of sale stated. The BOS listed a non-existant 25.5" 710 frameset where a 19" 1980 frameset actually existed. Once I was able to see this serial number, everything lined up and this was an actual 710 frameset in 25.5" made in 1981.


Noting the "Y" stamped on the bottom bracket shell.


Another stamping, this time an "L" where the chain stay slots in.


I'm going to pick this up tomorrow as there are many more pictures and work to share. So I will leave you with this (NOT FINAL!) build-up as more a proof of concept, especially if modern pieces were to be applied. In this composition, the bike is immensely smooth, with the 32mm tires damping things very well. A touch heavy-footed, but nothing that was at all a bother.

Aesthetically, the Trek enthusiastically confirmed my own thoughts that this very much needs tan wall tires, to the point of not even being an option! The black and pewter combo, especially with tires that large, make it look like a bit of a bruiser. Ride quality was quite similar to my '74 Paramount. Considering the fully double-butted 531 tubing and most dimensions shared or similar, it was no huge surprise. Alas, the decision was made: do a complete restoration of the components and bring this bike back to original condition and state. The 600 Arabesque bike that I had wanted again, for some time, was here, and this was going to be the perfect bike to happily keep original! Stay tuned!

Classtime 

inkandsilver

I have one of these, too! Though very much non-original. I am confident you have found a good companion.

RiddleOfSteel

@inkandsilver that is beautiful 710!! Definitely "not stock" done right--you are giving me ideas! With 700x28mm tires there is such little rear brake bridge clearance so as to make one think twice about running fenders. With 650Bs, this becomes a much more realistic proposition (if one wants to run larger tires and not 700x25s per se). I'm glad yours is the same size as mine as it gives a direct comparison. What kind of center pull brakes and how is their power? I would have to imagine that they are at least stronger than the original 600 Arabesque calipers.
@Classtime looks like you have the next size smaller with that "60" stamped in the lower head lug instead of the "62" on mine. Dig the glossy coat as well.

RiddleOfSteel

On the Road to Restoration

Back to the Cozy Counter Corner I go, this time with many aluminum creations in various arrangements. Handlebars and brake levers are up first, and they do not look in good shape!


Guess what color this cotton tape was originally? Black! What? How? That is some top level fading if you ask me. At any rate, the black here looks quite striking. It's still uncomfortable as all get out (no padding), but it looks good. It also had mild adhesive residue from the top layer so it had to be removed as well.


Naturally the hoods had to go as they were toast. Underneath, the handlebars were pristine--certainly the cleanest I've ever come across on a used bike. 38mm naturally. The left 600 brake lever has some road rash, but otherwise, these things should shine right up.


"We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Old Bicycle Components and Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish. Do we have the rags?"

RiddleOfSteel

Polishing and Restoring the Engravings

The components polished up quite well, which I suspected they wood, but which was still encouraging to see. What was left was to re-ink the engraved sections that had faded over time. It also allowed me to ink some engraved sections that Shimano never did from the factory, but which I always thought they should have done given the lack of consistency. I Testors paint pen I had purchased from Hobby Lobby--going on probably five years ago--was up to the task.

Early self-extracting bolt tech here. Worked quite well, and I made sure to go very slowly. Painted the center bolt black as it was rough and corroded/discolored. The "SHIMANIO 600" engraving proved to be tricky to make good again.


Some of the dirt didn't want to let go, and the camera gleefully let's all of us know that. Shimano didn't paint fill any of the rear derailleur's engravings, which was always annoying to me. So I fixed it. As with all engravings, I over-inked with the plan to take a credit card's edge to scrape off the top ink and leave the recessed in. This long cage derailleur is one I actually got from @Wildwood a few months ago, and was a kernel to the desire to build another 600 Arabesque bike. I want to find a 34T max cassette cog for this to work with as that is what Shimano rated them for (I have a 28T currently).

RiddleOfSteel

The shifters needed re-inking pretty badly. Thankfully, they enthusiastically took to the new paint, as you will see upon completion!


Here are the rest of the parts, ready to have their over-inking rubbed away. Can't wait!

RiddleOfSteel

Wheels

I got lucky and found a pair of 7-speed wheels at Bike Works. Technically they "don't match" as the rims are a Mavic MA2 and a Mavic MA--but they looked absolutely identical. The front hub said "RX100" and the rear said nothing. Perhaps the sticker fell off, but it was obvious they were of the same era, and very like a matched set of RX100 hubs. The rims matching in appearance was critical though, as that was the issue I had with the originals (well, one of the reasons).

And so it begins...


Check the sweet permanent marker spoke numbering! First time I've seen this, certainly.




Ahhh man, look at this! Beautiful luster on the rims, the spokes look sharp, and we have a 12-28T 7-speed Hyperglide cassette in place of the old 6-speed Uniglide cassette (yes, really) on the original Shimano wheels.

RiddleOfSteel

So good.


Getting a little more shine out of the RX100 hub here. Still some pitting. Oh well, I'm not worried.


I took the tires off my '74 Paramount (mounted 32mm Continentals as replacements), Clement Strada LGG 700x28 tan walls. All is right in the vintage world here.

RiddleOfSteel

The Build Up

Finally, I can get this Trek back on her wheels and soon back on the road! Time for some in-progress photos!

Many of the components in their place. Even the original bottom bracket played nice and adjusted perfectly. I paint filled the fluting on the seat post as that section didn't look so nice. Having a bit of fun with everything here.

RiddleOfSteel

Photo uploader is not liking me. Ugh. Still, it's a million times better posting from one's own computer instead of needing to go through an image hosting site!

With replacement Dia-Compe hoods, I strung the rear brake cable. Non-aero routing plus the 600's other-side cable arrangement make for a kind of sloppy look, IMO. Not too much I can do about it. Excited about having classic non-aero cable routing though--it just looks so classy!


Technically, this is the complete bike, BUT, the stem was too short upon the initial test ride, even if I put it up at a height that would make the length a non-issue. Thankfully I had this exact stem in 100mm to replace this 80mm unit.

RiddleOfSteel

The Trek is Finished!

Pretty outside photos to follow! The paint is beautiful and glossy, the components shine, and the bike performs well and appropriately for the components of their time. The ride quality is smooth and neutral, as is the steering. Higher speeds and more aggressive cornering bring about its nature to "pull up" or straighten up" at the exit of a corner. It's a lovely dance.

RiddleOfSteel

Mmmmm, glossy.


I would describe the braking performance of these calipers as "kind." Infinite modulation, for sure, but they are not vices, even with new pads. Still, they are sufficient and the lever effort is nice.


I wasn't going to forget the underside of the shifters. They had to be done!

RiddleOfSteel

More up top photos, just capturing the lovely paint and various details. That. Flake!


Seat cluster again.


Original saddle and the updated seat post. The saddle is actually quite comfortable, though shows its age as not too long into a ride, you can feel the foam settle and compact, changing its effective angle slightly.

RiddleOfSteel

I just really like the shifters and their aesthetic relationship to the down tube and paint. IMO, Trek positioned them too far down the tube, but, well, we're keeping it true to original here.


That paint gets me every time!


A new chain and some extra-curricular paint filling.


Money shot here. 52-39T chain ring combo used with a 12-28T cassette makes for capable Seattle gearing, which increases the versatility of this bike. All-silver SPD pedals were the only way to go. I will say the Q-factor is quite narrow on this. And with 170mm cranks instead of 175s like I usually run, it's a weird feeling. Doable, but weird.

RiddleOfSteel

The long cage rear derailleur happily working. I would like to say, or ask, if anyone has a 6-speed cassette (not freewheel, I have those) they aren't ever going to use again, the old semi-precise shifters in combination with a non-slant parallelogram RD and Hyperglide-toothed cogs that encourage shifting, is a bit of a handful. We're talking a few millimeters for some shifts here. Blessing and a curse, but it's still fully rideable, just don't hurry things in certain situations.


I'm really happy to have a long cage Arabesque RD. The lower cage just really complements it, to say nothing of its added capacity.

RiddleOfSteel

Well, that concludes the restoration and build up of this vintage Trek. Thank you for coming along on the journey, and I hope this helps future bike enthusiasts and restorers to see this "enhanced original" example. As we know, this is a 710 frameset built to be a 716 per Trek's method back then. I hope to keep this bike for a long time as there is something special about it. My desire is to keep it original because it came to me original with components that were in good shape. Though a few of you have or will give me thoughts about how it could be done in a non-stock fashion. This bike would have been great to show at the vintage bike show up in Anacortes this year, especially as it was vintage Trek themed and this would have been perfect. Alas, I had just bought the bike, it was not restored, and I had to be somewhere else during that time. Perhaps next time!

Hudson308 

Gorgeous bike, great work!

RiddleOfSteel

Thank you!

ryansu 

ROS gorgeous Job on the Trek! I really need to find a bike with Arabesque again to rehab, your components, well the whole thing, came out beautifully- chapeau.

Hobbiano 

Great bike, and great post! Thanks!

PilotFishBob 

Very nice indeed!