tkamd73 

The Golden Boy 

Again, my personal opinion- it's worthy of a repaint if you like it- but not something I'd replace tubes over. There's not a whole lot of bikes that I'd go to that expense over- and I think the only reason I'd do it is out of quality combined with rarity combined with sentimental value. The kickstand damage doesn't look all that bad to me and definitely not enough to warrant replacing tubes.

As cool as I think the bike and the frame is- it's a 400 level Trek- There's thousands and thousands of them out there and you can find 'em in 21" pretty easily. (I know it's easy to say that when you have one and you're not looking for one- if I was looking- It'd be months and I'd overpay $100 or so...)

If'n it were me, I'd get at least a decent set of wheels to try out the bike and see how you get along with it- if you don't like it - move it on- it's just not worth throwing that kind of money/effort into a bike you don't like (or considering how beat up it is- it might also be tweaked). But I think you need a decent wheel set on there to fairly evaluate it- those bolt on wheels don't look to be particularly high quality.

I don't know how worn your finish is- but I think that metallic blue on the 86 and 87 Trek 400s was as cool of a color Trek has ever used- it's so cool looking "into" the finish- it's almost like you can stick your finger into it.

By the way, James- I've missed seeing your "adventure" pix you used to post around here.

NUTNDUN

Here is my 1992 Trek 1200 I finally went over after owning it for about 6 years. I am going to be selling it because it is a little on the larger side for me. Rides great though.

stoutblock

My 1983 700 survivor

stoutblock

More of the 700.

Hudson308 

WOW that's a gorgeous bike!!!

shoota 

Holy crap that thing is perfect!

RiddleOfSteel

Daaaaaannnnnggggg, all that SUPERBE! Beautiful bike. Man, that Trek blue is gorgeous.

Hobbiano 

That seat post binder bolt has a speck of rust on it, or tarnish, or something.

stoutblock

It is a nice bike, maybe not perfect but very near.

Yes, very pretty

Just a bit here and there. It is a Seattle thing...rust.

Hobbiano 

Looks nearly unused!

stoutblock

Classtime 

The Golden Boy 

Wow! Beautiful bike!

IMO- there were so few 'top of the line' sport bikes- the best models were the touring and racing bikes- the "sport" bikes were the "jack of all trades, master of none" and sort of looked at as a step above a beginner's bike. The Trek 700 was a top of the line tube set with top of the line components with the most cutting edge rear derailleur around at the time- the Superbe Tech!

The only top shelf quality sport bikes I can think of are the Trek 700 and the Specialized Sequoia.

kc0yef 

Trek 720


Trek 720 Huret Duo Par

friendofpugs

I don't think this warrants it's own post, so I'll put it here. This is a 1977 TX700 I picked up earlier this summer, and I'm still deciding what to do with it - keep it and get it repainted? Keep it and leave it as is? I know the ol' 'it's only original once' refrain comes to mind, but some of the paint is simply flaking off. It came with Campy NR that I partially removed for some Suntour Cyclone stuff I've been meaning to try (yes, I have much better tires I haven't installed yet). I'm still getting used to the long stays and stable 'low trail' geometry, to be honest. I'd like to use it as a light touring bike, but maybe it's too old for that, I dunno.

friendofpugs

mountaindave 

friendofpugs

Yeah, I certainly need to ride it more, that's for sure. It rides differently than I'm used to. This is the first bike I've owned that "needs" a repaint, and I haven't been down that road before yet. I love the fact that it was made the year I was born and I really like the long pointed Cinelli lugs. I keep it in my home office loft and look at it often throughout the day. I figure an "old bike guy in Wisconsin" needs at least one steel Trek on hand, right?

Yes, I did a full drivetrain swap from a '84 520 that was way too big for me and I had the wheelset leftover (Cyclone hubs on Matrix rims) from another touring bike I parted out. The Cyclone RD is a little buggered but it'll do for now, and I'm still getting used to the power rachet shifters. I had my first shakedown ride yesterday and I think the Cyclone stuff is a better fit for this simple, sensible Midwestern frame - the NR seemed a little pretentious but that's probably all in my head. The NR sure is pretty though.

When I first found the bike I asked GoldenBoy for some advice, and he said these don't pop up all that often, so why not see if you like it if you have the funds and space, and, well, that's how I got another bike.

Chriscraft760 

mountaindave 

The Golden Boy 

mountaindave 

friendofpugs

What's underneath is a dull, dark gray - I don't know if that's the primer or not. The fellow I got this from had it stored in a shed with a limestone floor. The rear tubular tire was shot and so the rim was in contact with the floor and it simply corroded the rim to bits. I tried to remove the freewheel from the Campy high flange hub and the rear rim literally crumbled under the pressure. So much for using those hubs, I sold 'em cheap on eBay. Anyway, I don't know if being around limestone did something to the paint, but I'm thinking it's a strong possibility.

I have some barcons I can use but I wanted to try the power rachet shifters first - they are, uh, different. I've only used them for one ride so far.

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll take the Campy brakes off and use some Suntour on it instead, seems to fit it better. Maybe a Brooks saddle too. I want to make sure I'm keeping it though, first, before pumping more money into it. I've made that mistake before many a time.

Sedgemop 

I agree with this assessment. Since the very early ones are somewhat uncommon, I had in mind that they might have custom-type qualities, but they're just good all-around, everyday bikes. Nothing at all wrong with that.