Sorry for another "which Trek is this" thread - but I just acquired this bike and couldn't help myself! Obviously ignore the components on the build, the seller built this up from a bare frame.

The seller indicated that this is a 1982 Trek 710, but the 1982 catalog doesn't list this colorway as an option for the 710/715. It could be a 510/515 based on the color, but mine has Reynolds 531 tubing, not Ishiwata.

The serial number lookup made things a bit more confusing. According to V-T, 090643 would place this frame as a 1983 Trek 730. I wasn't able to find much info on the 730, apart from some geometry figures in the 1982 catalog, but I don't think it is a 730 because the wheelbase measurement matches the 710, not the 730.

So do we think this could be a 1982 710 after all?

Thank you!!
Nishad

It sure looks like a 710 to me. The chainstays are too long for a 730, and IIRC the 730 had been discontinued by the time that TREK bottom bracket shell was put in production (the 730 was replaced by the 750).

N.B. special order colors were not out of the question, either.

That's a very nice bike.

531 frame, stays and fork mean it's a 700 series bike (the 531 badge on the seat tube will say something to the effect of 'guaranteed built with Reynolds 531 frame tubes and stays' and the fork decal shows it's 531). Looking at the distance from the rear tire to the seat tube- you can tell it's not a "racing" geometry bike- and looking at the decals you can tell it's an early 80s bike, and it does not have cantilever brakes- so that pretty much narrows it down to a 71X frame. That's a quality sport/touring frame and I think that build is spectacular. Not much I would change, if'n it were mine.

Thank you - and thanks for explaining your thinking!

Thanks for the confirmation!

Would be super easy to ID if the vintage-trek website were still functional…

my '82 930 uses guides on top of the BB, not the under-channels...
as to colors, in the early days, trek offered pre-painted frames/bikes, or you could order any color /combo you wanted, if it was on the palette of Dupont Imrons they stocked...mine was ordered in dark gray metallic, with dropouts featuring eyelets, even though it has the "race" dimensions/geometry

is the headbadge riveted or glued on? '82 was glued on, 1980 and many '81s were riveted, IIRC.

decal style changed during 82, so they can be kind of misleading.
my frame was completed/shipped during the interim period, and has no decals.

the folks on "Vintage Trek Bicycles" on FB can provide loads of info... they love old Treks, and some have downloaded endless info resources too.

The information from Vintage-Trek is available.

Vintage-Trek.com down

It looks like the OP was right, the serial number indicates 1983, although I'm not sure where the 730 designation comes from. The bottom bracket etc. appear later than any 1982s I have seen.

I have a 1983 Trek 700, and also saved the catalog download. In 83, no 710 was listed, only the 700, 720, and 760. That color combo was used on the 600 of 83. Comparing your bike to my 700 with an 079xxx serial number shows many similarities. Mine is also the 22.5” size. Your frame 531 sticker might show 531c. Mine has the same brazed on rack mounts. Mine has the same look of the seat stays at the top of the seat tube. Mine has exactly the same rear derailleur odd shaped cable stop that was used for a special ferrule for the Superbe Tech rear derailleur. Mine has the same Shimano rear dropouts with the nicely finished seat and chain stay ends. Mine has the same fork crown and 531 decals. Mine has the same bottom bracket shell with the distinctive cutouts and Trek stamp, and also the cable routing setup. My BB shell however has a 58 in that BB stamping where yours has a 60. I’ve read some discussion on those but don’t remember what the difference was.

My wheelbase is around 40.5”, so measure yours while also looking for the “c” on your 531 stamp. Perhaps yours is also an 83 700 but with a custom color that was also used that year.
Congratulations on a nice Trek. If it is a 700, these are somewhat rare and only made in 83. From specs, they are quite similar to the earlier 700 series bikes, but with an ever so slightly shorter wheelbase. Mine is a wonderful ride. Yours is in better shape than mine which I also have set up as a triple now. These were listed as over $700 msrp and specced with a full Superbe group and Campagnolo Tipo hubs. You will certainly enjoy this. A pic for comparison and because everyone likes pics.


Well used and far from stock

Try here for access to Trek Brochures. https://www.smontanaro.net/vintage-t...kBrochures.htm