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Trek Identification help

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Old 01-25-11 | 02:09 PM
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Bikes: 1983 Trek 520, 1991 Trek 400

Trek Identification help

Hello!

I just bought this Trek on Saturday, and I've been doing some research on it and I have been having some difficulty pinpointing it. My best guess is that it's a 1990 trek 1200?? Not 100% sure though. The serial number is 615439. I've seen a similar one but it was aluminum and this is a classic steel frame. It has purple decals on the down tube. It's missing the head badge and the model number sticker and the chain stay sticker. It has matrix rims and mallard hubs. I'm not sure if the components are original. The pedals are from my old 520. I haven't hooked up all the cable and housing, so it's just a single speed for now. I just replaced the bottom bracket last night with a sealed cartridge. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks for looking!
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Old 01-25-11 | 05:11 PM
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Hi mastersquid, welcome to Bike Forums. I moved your thread from Introductions to Classic and Vintage. The people here know a lot about this and can help you.

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Old 01-25-11 | 05:14 PM
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Check out www.vintage-trek.com to research your bike. Nice looking (and BIG!)....

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Old 01-25-11 | 05:16 PM
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I think the frame is about a '87ish? 4xx something. are the Diacomp and Suntour OEM?

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Old 01-25-11 | 05:31 PM
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Thanks! I couldn't figure out how to do that.
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Old 01-25-11 | 05:45 PM
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Bikes: 1983 Trek 520, 1991 Trek 400

It has DiaComp components. Sun Tour shifters.
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Old 01-25-11 | 05:47 PM
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I'm stumped, can't match that decal scheme. Is there any signs of missing decals on the seat tube, as I'm surprised the model number isn't plainly evident. And the lack of True Temper decals, which became more prominent as time went on.

I can only suggest it is a 1990s model from the cable guide braze on on the chain stay, instead of routing it through the chain stay in earlier years.
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Old 01-25-11 | 05:54 PM
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Bikes: 1983 Trek 520, 1991 Trek 400

There was glue residue from the chain stay model number but as far as the seat tube..I can't see anything. My 1983 trek 520 ran the cable through guide underneath as well. Like I said, the only one with white and purple decals was from the 1990's BUT it was Aluminum. I'm starting to think it was a special order because the serial number indicates that it was a custom size (63 cm).
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Old 01-25-11 | 06:04 PM
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Looks like a 91 400 to me.
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Old 01-25-11 | 06:15 PM
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By earlier, I was referring to the late 80s. My 1992 Trek 400 is just like yours, with the chain stay cap that has the little hole. On my 1989 Trek 400, that is where the rear derailleur cable pops out.

63cm is a neat find. It is quite the gap between the usual 24" and 25.5" models.
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Old 01-25-11 | 06:45 PM
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Bikes: 1983 Trek 520, 1991 Trek 400

Oh, gotcha. Can you send me a few photos of your bikes so I can look at them??
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Old 01-25-11 | 07:45 PM
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Here is my well used 1989 Trek 400. I haven't taken photos of my gently used 1992 yet.



The 1989 has shorter 41cm chain stays, sharing it's geometry with the 660.

My 1992 looks much like yours, and comfortably fits 700x32 Paselas.
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Old 01-25-11 | 08:04 PM
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Bikes: 1983 Trek 520, 1991 Trek 400

Wow, thats crazy how similar it looks. The components are identical! Can you post that picture of your 1992? Thanks so much!
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Old 01-25-11 | 08:30 PM
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Look up the component date codes at the vintage Trek site. Add six months to the newest component. Then pull that year's catalog, and you will have it.

+1 1991 Trek 400, crankset has been changed out. I have found some dicrepancies in the Trek catalogs on color combinations (not unusual, given the lag between printing and actual manufacture).

Last edited by wrk101; 01-25-11 at 08:44 PM.
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Old 01-25-11 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by abarth
Looks like a 91 400 to me.

That looks right to me.
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Old 01-25-11 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by mastersquid16
I'm starting to think it was a special order because the serial number indicates that it was a custom size (63 cm).
I have measured a couple of Trek 25 1/2 inch frames right at 63cm center to center. (Trek often reported measurement as center to top, I tend to measure center to center.)

Serial number matches 1991 production.

Last edited by wrk101; 01-25-11 at 08:59 PM.
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Old 01-25-11 | 09:36 PM
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Bikes: 1983 Trek 520, 1991 Trek 400

That looks a lot like the 400 in the brochure! Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your efforts. Does anyone know where I can get a head badge and some replacement stickers???
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