Classic Value
 

Anyone know where I could find info on how to determine value for a 1983 Trek 500 Sport/Road? And what the criteria would be for maintaining that value?
thanks

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/vrbn-o-z.html#trek

http://www.vintage-trek.com/refurbish.htm

General rules:

Keep it original, or at least do not do anything that cannot be undone.

Don't paint it.

Don't store it outside.

Pray that the price of metals keeps skyrocketing.

Well ok.....thats all interesting. I have the original metal strap cage pedals, etched Italian handlebars, the suntour group (6spd/freewheel). I replaced the bottom bracket with a sealed cartridge as the bearing races were completely shot. Right now it has a high rise stem, but I have the original quill. The seat was shot, so I replaced it with a Forte' classic. Put new rubber on it. The paint is good except for a few spots that were worn thru and rusted. Buffed those out and just added a touch up to cover, which unfortunately doesnt match exactly. The decals are still good and the frame is 531 Reynolds. Its actually a great ride, but the frame is just too tall for me. Oh and I replaced the brake cables, as they were coming apart. Found this thing buried in tall grass and weeds outside a friends trailer. Tore it down and cleaned, regreased and put it back together. Wish I could keep it, but then I wish I was 6 inches taller!

BTW..Spiderman.......great pics, gorgeous bike!!

Unfortunately, it probably won't bring quite as much as you have in it. I'd ebay it, and start the bidding at $100. Call it a sport tourer and point out the fender eyelets. You may see $200-250. Depends on who's buying the day it closes, of course.

Not to be snobbish, but Trek back in those days was not known for putting out the hottest bikes. This was the tail end of the era of hand made Italian bikes, Cinelli, Masi, Guerciotti, Ciocc, etc with Campy gruppos. I don't think, but I could be wrong, that your bike would be really collectible. Nice example, nonetheless.

not to be contrary, but I think that the early 80's treks rode as well
as any of the italian bikes, they just didn't have the cache.
Look at the builders who worked there, Mike Appel, Tim Issacs, John Thompson
lots of big names, the only shop with more raw American talent was Masi California.

marty

When I said hottest, I didn't mean to say that they were not good bikes. I meant just what you said, that they didn't have the cache of Italian bikes.

When someone showed up at a race with a trek, we used to say "Silly racer, Treks are for kids!"

On another note, your signature, "I am slower than he who ...?)

idiomatic, I am slower than I look



marty

sorry I have to join in. An early 80s 531 trek is a really nice bike and yeah they don't fetch the same amounts and vintage italian steel, but at the time they were recognised and an affordable high end bike. Trek's early market was aimed at sport touring and I think that was a pretty unique. Their build quality was recognised as being superb and they were true made in America bikes by a small manufacturer with talented builders. Luker's price estimates are on the money though.

I may be wrong, but I think the early 80's Trek 500's were made of 501 steel - not 531. I agree that it would ride nice, though, and in the right market would realize at least $200-$250 if it were reasonably clean.....

slowrider, is that a 21in frame?

an 83 Trek 500 was 501 main tubes, manganese alloy everywhere else.
I sure hope Luker is right on the price, it just kicks up the value of my 770.

marty

I have an 83 500 that I have built up from a frame using mostly new parts, ie, wheels, tires, deraileurs, 7 speed cassette, seat, stem. The rest of parts are recycled and I have about $400 in it, a third of what a 520 is new and it is set up just the way I want it. What it is worth is not important because I didn't build it to sell.
If you have nothing invested whatever you get when selling is a plus. I am sure someone would be happy to have it.

yeah, I'm hoping that too. A good clean higher-end trek goes for about that...I've been watching 'em for a year or two. I have a 760 and a 900 frameset that I'm fixing to eBay, I hope the price stays up there a little while longer!

Lots of good info. You're right, its 501, and by my measurements (if done correctly) the seat tube is 22.5" from center of BB to top of tube. I've been using it for a trainer bike this winter. I've added some more current pic's below. The original pic posted was from right after I had put it all back together. Thanks folks!

All too true, and if I decide to sell it, I'm probably not looking for more than I put into it. Like I said before, I just wish it was a bit smaller, cause it sure does ride nice. It worked well on the trainer and for that atleast I may keep it, but since it was listed as a 'vintage' bike, I was curious. Thanks.

One thing about Vintage bikes that I like are quill stems with a negative drop. It's important to the original look.