Update: Pics in post 11.

Hello All,


I am embarking on a restomod project for myself and happy to see an active community here! Hoping to tap into the experience here and share my project along the way.


I bought an absolutely cherry 1999 Trek Multitrak 720 in Explorer Green. Previous owner bought the bike from a local bike shop, rode it twice, decided biking wasn't for them and stuck it in a climate controlled basement until now. Under 20 years of dust this bike looks like it's never shifted through the whole cassette. A couple scratches on the frame probably from other basement stuff bumping into it but that's it. Headset solid. Bottom bracket solid. Cables are pristine and shining like new money.


This bike is going to be my dedicated cruiser to piddle around on. I have a MTB for trails. I have an all roadish gravel bike for pushing the pace on drop bars. This bad boy is going to be my fun around the neighborhood bike. So far I know I am replacing all the contact points and replacing the grip shifters with shimano thumb shifters and new cables. After that we'll see what needs tweaking or upgrading.


For now my only real dislike is the cheap plastic bashguard on the Shimano Tourney crankset. Just an esthetic preference. I am thinking upgrading the cranks and bb may be in the cards as I think this is a one piece square taper. I do however want to give this 3x8 a try because my area is all hills! I think the granny gear will be an asset.


Appreciate any tips or experiences others can share! Next step is a through cleaning down to the frame and polishing this weekend.

Well I spent some time wiping the bike down with a microfiber just to knock the dust off yesterday. Cleaned all the cogs and chain with some degreaser and oiled the chain up. Tested the brakes and they felt OK. Am thinking I should replace the pads ... even though they're brand new they've been sitting for 25 years. I got the suspension seatpost going with some WD and then some grease. Slapped a takeoff mtb saddle on it for the time being.

Then my wife wanted to go for a ride around the block and I couldn't resist so I aired the original tires up and away we went. She climbs like a dream in the low gear. Shifting was decent, though I knew I wouldn't like the gripshifters.

Starting to gather parts for the build. I got an alloy bottlecage and a jaguar wire kit in today. Shifters will be here next week.

And because I can't stay off marketplace I bought a used Brooks Flyer saddle for $60. I paid $80 for the bike so that's a big investment in rear end comfort!

You need to post some pics of your bike but you only have six posts and the website won't let you post them until you hit 10.
You could introduce yourself in the Introductions forum and respond to a few posts; you'll hit 10 and then you can start to post pics. These are great bikes. I have a '93 Trek 750 that I ride a lot.

For sure will post pics when Im able! Tell me about the 750. Assuming same frame with better components?

The differences likely depend on the year but the early 90s 750s had the same frame more or less as the 520 (which was Trek's top touring bike): the bikes had full chrome moly frames (double butted main triangle, chrome moly fork and rear triangle) and they were lugged in the early 90s. This is mine with a Brook B 17 saddle and trekking bars. I replaced pretty much everything but the headset, seatpost, and wheels are original.

Welcome! I have a couple modified 730s in the fleet and look foward to your project.

Hit my posting limit so couldn't reply yesterday. Great bike! Love the fade paint job. I bet it is a trekking monster.

Thank you! Would love to see them.

Got her out and cleaned her up with soapy water and waxed the frame today. Got one sticker off the frame with goof off. Noticed more scratches in the paint today. Wondering if anyone has been able to find matching paint pens for touch up? Also mounted the new saddle.

I think it is a 1998. Check it out ---> Trek sales info 1984-2012

That 8 speed RD is super reliable and so easy to set up. I use them to retrofit 20" and 24" kids bikes because they handle the abuse kids dish out.

I use Mothers Aluminum and Mag Wheel polish to reduce scratches and then wax the frame with Mothers California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Cleaner Wax Paste. Both have mild abrasives and do great work with minimal hand effort. I used this process on a 730 project in the C/V section: '98 Trek Multitrack Curb Find project

I like using clear nail polish to deal with scratches.

Sweet just ordered some.

Oh thats a good idea! I bet that would fill in the clear coat scratches nicely. Ty

First ride post cleaning. Shifting is smoother now and Im adjusting to the trim. Happy with the drive train honestly. For my loop around the neighborhood I have yet to need the 42 tooth ring. I have new bars on order but really intend to keep the adjustable stem since it gives it some of the multitrak character, but on this ride I noticed the side to play it has. Need to figure out if there's any adjustment to be done or it can be shimmed up. Otherwise it may get a quill stem. Brooks saddle is very nice. Think Im going to rub some obenaufs on it and see how it does.

Hoping to be swapping bars, shifters and cables this weekend.

VO Tourist bars, new Shimano Altus shifters, and some PNW grips from my MTB ready to go. Will get all this swapped out this weekend. Panaracer Pasela tires coming next week. Will wait till then to polish up the wheels and hubs with the Mothers.

I have Seine bars on my personal 730 project. Can't wait to see your progress pics.

Bars, new shifters and cables swapped out. Re-tuned the derailleurs. Took the old plastic pedals off and put some mtb takeoffs on for now. Good coat of Obenaufs LP on the saddle to sit overnight.

Love the new cockpit. Bars are just right to cruise around without leaning. The adjustable stem has got to go though. The side to side slop takes the fun out of putting power down. I don't see a way to adjust it left to right so I guess a quill stem is after tires. Shame because it fits really well and it gives the bike some personality. Going to try to figure out how to measure it.

Installed VO quill stem (and like the monkey mechanic I am scratched up the new bars in the process). Add some bar tape to the list. New Panaracer Pasela tires and tubes on. I think I have decided to slap my Old Man Mountain rear rack on it for carrying stuff. Going to fit that, re-tweak the brakes, and give her another scrub down this weekend but she is basically ready for service!

Nice. Which bar and stem are those?

Velo Orange quill stem and VO Tourist bars. And it did need shims if anyone reads this later.

The Brooks Flyer looks good on the bike. I would be tempted to replace the suspension seatpost with a solid one since the flyer has springs, but that is just my opinion. I usually replace these adjustable stems as well. It also looks good with the Tourist bars and new stem.

I think these are great bikes that, so far, many people haven't figured out how versatile they are. I have a Trek 700. Yes, it is a few levels down and not the best components. It is just a frame at this point and I think about making it a gravel bike but, I don't need another bike and I don't even have room for another.

Anyway. Good job on the re-build of this bike and keep the pictures coming. You can post under the C&V thread too where there is a lot more activity.

I thought so. I love the Tourist bar on my bike; the sweep is just exactly perfect for me, and as I've gotten older, I'm appreciating the rise too.