Hi all,
I have a 1985 Trek 520 that I want to have powder coated. My question regards the chain stay protector and the head badge. Can these be removed and reinstalled? The head badge has a bit of corrosion on it and I was wondering if I can source a new replacement?

Thanks

They are held on with double stick tape and can be carefully peeled away. I don't know of a source for a replacement headbadge. You could polish the original, but that would also remove the black paint so you'd have to repaint that part.

I'd see if you could source some decals instead. I had an 86 Trek that I was going to convert to single speed and the headbadge wasn't salvagable so I had some decals made up in a similar style to the original and used those. Looked nice...

I've seen the headbadge on ebay, I'd set up a watch for that one.
Skip Eckert at vintage-Trek might also have a lead on headtube badges.

Chainstay protector, I looked all over for one of those, never did find it. I was about
to go get one and silkscreen it myself but sold the 85.

one word of advice, go with wet paint and not powdercoat. search this forum for reasons.

marty

I have looked at paint vs powdercoat threads. Don't recall seeing any that have negative comments on powdercoating. Can you give me a link?

In the past when I painted my bike, I have always just put take over the headbadge. I dont see why this wouldn't work for a powdercoat too.

Does anyone know where to source vintage decals? I see them on E-Bay but I wonder if the quality is good.

I have been told powdercoat is very thick compared to paint and covers up the detail of the lugs. Paint allows the lug detail to be seen, I think it would be a personal decision.
To remove the badge you may try pulling a piece of thin piano wire behind it to remove it, use a sawing motion so you don't bend the badge.

I guess Trek frames have well defined lugs, but I have a triple butted Ishiwata generic "Saint Tropez" late 80's branded bike that is all scratched up and is painted a lovely "Duran-Duran" garish faded milky red (think pink) to pearlescent white fade. Its a really solid bike and its comfortable and fits me well. But...its a perfect candidate for a powder coat job. The bottom bracket lugs in particular have hollows inside of them, a very ugly, dirt sucking lack of attention to detail. I guess that the thick powder coating might flow into the offending area, acting as a filler. But a good frame painter like Joe Bell, who charges $400 on up by they way, could do all the little things like removing and re-installing headbadges, re-glueing stainless chainstay protectors, or , in my case, filing more pleasing transitions onto my poorly executed (but perfectly serviceable) lugwork.

I didn't realize that powder coating was so thick. I may be happier with a wet paint job. Thanks!