miamibeachcg

I found this yesterday at a local pawn shop = when I saw $29.95 tag I bought it without even trying to bargain the price!
It's a nice looking (some minor rust on lower frame by derailleur) & great riding bike. But I couldn't find the model anywhere OR the serial number.
Can anyone tell me what model Trek it is? What year?
Also, where is the serial number located? (it's not on bottom of frame)
I appreciate any help!

jcb3

Serial number is probably under the plastic cable guide under the bottom bracket

my guess is an 1983 500

nice bike

Hudson308 

'83 520 is my guess. See the seventh panel in the '83 Trek Catalog here. The serial number will definitely be under that plastic cable guide on the bottom bracket shell.

MB33 

The '83 520 had a 1/2 step with granny up front

Hudson308 

Yep I noticed that. Bike matches the advertised components for the 500, but with colors for the 520.
Serial number should sort it out for him.

miamibeachcg

I looked under the guide - very faint impressions but looked like: 088818 or C88818? It also had a number 5 on bottom where rear forks split for back tire.
Thanks for the help so far.

Hudson308 

Serial number corresponds to a 21" '83 Trek 520.
So somebody must have swapped out the triple crank sometime in the past.

Mr. 66

The wheels should be helicomatic hubs on Matrix Titan rims.

The Golden Boy 

Not to be a total bummer here- but save that receipt- at a pawn shop for $30 with the bars flipped up bum style, but new hoods on the levers and otherwise well taken care of- that says “stolen bike” to me.

GrainBrain

Nah the chain is rusty and it has original (!?) Trek 1-1/4" tires.

The Golden Boy 

The original tires make it even more likely it belonged to a "collector." What hobo puts new Cane Creek hoods on their barn find?

CliffordK

If the OP had troubles finding the serial number, the Pawn Shop likely didn't bother. So, stolen is a possibility.

However, I think most pawn shops do make at least a rudimentary attempt to check if their merchandise is legit.

Still, it never hurts to check.

I'm doubting that if the bike was 30 years old when stolen that anybody would have bothered to report it stolen.

There isn't a huge value in those old Treks. I'm thinking as-is, probably worth $100. Fix it up and maybe $200.

Down to the $29.95 price tag, and I'm a bit surprised it made it into the Pawn Shop. We're talking Thrift Store value.

Hudson308 

Even if the frame isn't 531, I still think you're low on that. It is a nice lugged steel bike, made in Wisconsin from decent tubing. That's starting to count for something in some markets.

nesteel 

Eh, Reynolds 501 main tubes and Mangaloy for the balance. Lower end of the mid range. I'd not have forked over more that $50 in the shape it's in. All consumables need replaced + a new saddle. Fine buy if you're going to refurb and keep it. Vintage Treks don't bring big money in Miami, judging from CL listings.
Personally, most people tend to overvalue mid/low end Treks. Some of the asking prices on CL and Ebay are A JOKE.

canklecat

That bike has probably been through a couplafew owners before ending up as someone's hobo beer bike. I hardly ever see drop bars flipped up party style like that anymore, in my neighborhood. Most folks who need bikes for transportation, but don't self-identify as "cyclists", have gone to hybrids or mountain bikes, usually terrible examples of those genres, with flat or riser bars and questionable brakes.

It might have been stolen at some point but not necessarily by the most recent owner. Some folks just abandon bikes when they move or are evicted. The 2008 economic collapse devastated some areas, and some communities within otherwise thriving cities. My neighborhood is one of those. Lots of beater bikes, usually available cheaply from the many nearby pawn and thrift stores, or frequent neighborhood garage/yard sales.

The only good bike I've seen in my area in years was a nice Kona Lava Dome at a nearby pawn shop. They wanted over $300 for it back in February. I passed but someone bought it -- that Kona was gone when I stopped at that pawn shop a couple of weeks ago to buy some tools. Most of their bikes are Huffy class or worse, usually under $100.

CliffordK

There is a little pawn shop in Beaverton that has frequently had a couple of nice bikes. I don't remember exactly, but maybe a Scott CR1 or similar.

I don't remember anything in particular that was very vintage though.

rjhammett

I would guess an '83 520. I picked one up about 5-6 years ago at Goodwill for $15.

miamibeachcg

Thanks Hudson 308!
PS - I put the handle bars back to their original position - it does look better.
Thanks again everyone.

jlaw

That's a respectable rig - suitable for upgrade depending upon what you want to do with it. You got a deal at $30.

miamibeachcg

Any suggestions to upgrade (I know the seat!)? It has Suntour AR derailleurs & shifters but Dia-compe brakes

bikemig 

Why upgrade anything? If that bike fits and you plan on riding it, I'd overhaul it, replace the consumables & saddle, and ride it.

ryansu

Just a suggestion I would replace the consumables and ride it before worrying about upgrades, you may find, after fixing it up and then riding it that it doesn't fit or suit you and you've made upgrades a new buyer won't necessarily see the value in, (ask me how I know ) New; Tires, saddle, chain, cables and housing some bar wrap give it a good going though (rebuild bearings etc) and see how it rides and fits, if you love it and it fits like a glove then you can worry about component upgrades. YMMV. Solid bike for $30 nice find.

miamibeachcg

I bought it to sell - I like some of your suggestions before selling: new saddle, chain & bar wrap

miamibeachcg

Here are some of the bikes I've found in thrift stores, storage auctions/pawn shops to sell/fix up to sell - they've taken over a bedroom in my house, but I love them; and getting to ride a new bike every week or so!

mixteup

You did great on that 520 - I saw one, maybe a year ago, in a pawn shop, but they were asking $225 for it !