I bought this bike new in 1984 and it has about 30K miles. I've done major reworks a couple times, but decided to really try and get it in great shape this time around with all new rubber, re-laced wheels, new cables/chain, new vintage decals (frame was repainted green about 20 years ago), a triple crankset (from another Trek 400) replacing original double, a new cartridge BB, new/modern/larger handlebars and brake levers, and my favorite Serfas saddle. About all that is original is the frame, fork/headset, brakes, hubs, and front rim. Rides beautifully. Long live these old steel Treks!



- Mark

Wow, that looks great! Nice job!

It looks like brand new. Probably rides like that too, since you completely rebuild it, including the wheels. Nice job.

Amen!

Mark! Is that the crank I sent you like two years ago LOL. Looks Great! Here are some pics of the bike that crank came off of, it was a garage queen for sure. 1986 Trek 400. I love this thing!

Very tasteful updates [C&V style]. Looks great, and put another 30k on her.

I think so....sometimes it takes me awhile to get these projects finished. Or it might have gone into my other Trek 400 which I finished a year or so ago. This red bike was my Dad's and it probably has less than 1K miles, but a lot of time sitting in a damp garage, so it took at a lot of cleanup work. In either case, your crank went to good use - thanks!



- Mark

Beautiful bike, great job!

Great! Another bike to add to my want list.

Great looking bike! May I see a closeup of the cockpit? That's a good looking stem.

Would you kindly let us know what cartridge/length you settled on for the triple? Did it widen the Q noticeably? I blew this call once (can't remember, got one too long I think), and wound up going back with the original cup/cone because of it. Thanks!

The Blue 86 400 Elance topped my want list. I found a pretty one, paid way too much for it- and it's a wonderful bike. I've done a few things here and there with it, but 531 main frame and Tange fork and stays is cool. That beautiful blue paint... wow.

All 3 in this thread are gorgeous.

MMMmmm, my NTM (new to me) Trek 400 is waiting for me to gather up the needed parts to build her up. I got her from the original owner for $32. Bike has SUPER low miles, and is a triple. I will be converting it to 650, tastefully.

Here's my 86.

Very nice! Love the color choice - not enough green bikes in the world IMHO

Here is one I have been working on...still one foot in the grave...fighting a little rust....87 400T Elance, w/SHimano LITE, being that it is really too big for me, it has been a back-burner project.

Nice paint scheme but man that's a big frame

Like I said...a "BIT" big for me! :-O 64cm, she IS a tall one!

what does the "ELANCE" signify? always wanted to know

Elance: lancer to hurl, launch a lance or spear...(NOT Lance Armstrong....the SPEAR kind of lance)

I think Elance is just something Trek dreamed up for their mid-range road bikes for a little panache. They used it for a few years, then dropped it and just called them a 400 (with a double) and 400T (with a triple).

- Mark

Yep, you got the 25.5" big bruiser frame there. Mine are the 24" and 22.5". Fix it up, its well worth some effort. My red 22.5" is a True Temper frame, the green 24" is a 531. Both ride VERY comfortably..... a tiny bit noodley in the BB if you're really pushing, but not bad, especially by the standards of the day. Very stable descending, in fact nicer than either of my other more modern road bikes.

- Mark

I am trying to decide if I rebuild it all OEM, it still had the original saddle and freewheel. Or if I do some updating to it to make it more sellable? It is the 531 frame. How well did the Shimano Light Action work? Low miles on it...but years in the elements took it's toll.

For riding, they are nicer if you get some more modern components, but for a flip, I'd keep it as close to stock as you can - just clean everything up, and maybe replace consumables like tires, cables, brakes, bar tape, etc. If you're willing to disassemble everything, it is amazing how much corrosion and patina will come off with a good buffing wheel and polish, but to get stuff like the hubs cleaned up, you're going to have to disassemble the wheels. I reused spokes (made sure they stayed segregated by which side and which flange), but replaced the nipples. The Light Action stuff is good quality and works well.

- Mark