1981 Trek 610 - Worth Saving? (Warning! lotsa pics)
 

Hi all.

Yesterday I made an impulse craigslist purchase. What was advertised as a 'Trek bike -- perfect shape' for $50 or best offer.

It turns out it was right around the corner from my house, so I thought what the heck, I'll take a look.

This is what I found:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322682http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322683http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322684http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322685http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322686http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322687http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322688http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322689

The headset and bottom bracket was rattling about, and the hubs feel a little gritty, but but the frame looked straight enough. I figured I take a shot and walked away with the bike and $40 less in my wallet.

When I got it home, I looked up the serial number on vintage-trek.com, and it turns out that it's a 610. 531 butted main tubes, not bad, I thought. A few small dents in the top tube, but nothing that would significantly compromise the integrity of the frame.

The seatpost & stem aren't seized, and aside from the hideous paint-job, everything looks salvageable. I figured if nothing else, a strip, respray, and re-assemble and I could either re-sell it on, or keep it -- it's my size.

But then, I noticed something. the seat-tube is slightly deformed. It's out of round not so much that you can see it, but enough that you can feel it with your hand. The deformation is about three inches long, and more or less in the center of the tube. the tube is otherwise apparently straight.

Provided when I strip off the paint, and I don't see any cracks or other nastiness, should I proceed to fix'er up ?
Is it possible to fix the deformation without replacing the tube?
Just ride it?

I probably won't sell the frame on with this defect, but if it's reasonable safe, I certainly consider riding it myself.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

That paint job is hideous, but you can strip that. For $40, you did just fine.

I think job 1 is strip the parts. Job 2 is strip the frame. See what's under the paint. It might not be so bad. If it's out of round without any hints of indentation, borrow some frame blocks and roll it. It might just pop right back into round. You can try that with the little dents on the top tube, too. This is going to be an "expensive in time" to restore it to a rider.

Looks like you found a new beater :)

@TimmyT, I had no idea what frame blocks were... pretty neat!

http://www.bicycletool.com/frameblock1.aspx
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-dent-in-frame

What!? And lose that sweet pantographed seat post?

Totally digging that sweet pantographed seat post. I really like the seller saying that the bike is in "perfect shape" lol.

As long as the frame is sound, it's absolutely worth saving. Spend as much time as you want and as little money as you can. The drivetrain is solid and very good quality. Keep as much original as can be managed. Drop-kick the seat, though.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

I'll start stripping it out, and decide what do once I can actually see the frame :p

Cosmetics aside, is there a major downside to just leaving the seat tube out of round?

I've got big plans for that seat post :)

Nice. Ride it like you paid forty bucks for it on Craigslist. Love the half/granny triple, and Deore RD. One of these days I'll find a 531 Trek in my size.

The only downside is that you know that it is out of round. It is 531 (an alloy steel); a little dent or bulge will have no measurable effect on performance or reliability.

That's just a bog-standard SR Laprade post that's been painted, with the flutes in contrasting color.

Don't harsh the fantasy!