Cracked stays...... Hmmmmmm.......

I don't think I'd ride it, but that's just me. I would find another frame, and transfer the parts.

Easier said then done, my friend...


On a completely different note, for record's sake, a Shimano barcon does not have enough travel to pull a Huret Jubilee front derailer through a Sugino triple crankset.

I'm running it as a double now (don't need the small ring here in Miami anyway) - and it still gives me fits trying to get it into the big ring.

For that matter, whoever specified that short cage Shimano 600 RD was an idiot. It will span all gears UP TO the big/big combination. Accidentally shifted it into this position on this morning's ride, and had a dammned hell of a time getting it back into position - didn't have any tools on hand.

Take care,

-Kurt

Treks of that era, like Raliegh in their heyday, may have had some quality control issues as their US handbulit operation started to get over run by demand. But that is rather exceptional in my opinion. Generally speaking, the late 70s and early 80s US made Treks are wonderfully made bikes. Some of the best frame makers like Mike Appel got their start there.

Me? I'm guessing that steed got rode into the ground while being fully loaded.

The 720s of that era with their combination of thin walled 531 (relative to 022 and 501) and super long chainstays were known for bad sway and stability problems. Just too much distance for such light tubing.

My guess is that bike got ridden:
a) by a heavy rider
b) on rough roads or worse
c) with heavy loads on a rear rack
d) all of the above

They are really quite unique bikes, especially in the non-canti versions. I can't think of another bike with those 47cm stays.

I know for a fact that the original owner never did take it on tour. It pretty much remained a dust-gathering dream for him.

I do agree with you that the extra length is probably what did in these monsters. I don't believe the extra-length tubing was properly tested before they put it to production. The performance of the frame is superb though, even with it's existing crack.

A) I'll vouch for that, fellow was on the heavy side as I.
B) Possibly - Miami has never been known for good roads.
C) I don't think this machine ever carried anything but a rider.

Unquestionably, second to the ride, the long stays are my favorite feature of the 72X series. Without them, it would just be 'simply another 531 frame.'

I'm considering using a slightly thicker tubeset for the seat stays when I do get around to having this machine re-done (not anytime soon), along with considerably more braze around the rear brake bridge.

Take care,

-Kurt

Kurt,

We might just have to down grade your "Hound Dog" status. Is this Trek turning into another '62 Paramount nightmare? At least the price was right for both! And the tools--- the tools!

Bob, everything I own is a nightmare!

Speaking of the '61 Paramount though, I brought it's frameset to this same fellow along with the Trek, and it turns out the frame repair for it shouldn't run more then $100 or so, for only the seattube has to be replaced - the dents on the top tube can be filled with silver, and the bent seat stay can be carefully bent back into shape. A Coppertone paint job by Gary Cole would run $250. $350 total isn't that bad.

I intend to do the stays myself to save the $120 or so that it would cost me. Paint job hovers around $210 for a dark blue metallic with creme headtube.

Might be better off getting one NOS from the LBS...provided he has them.

Take care,

-Kurt

Kurt,

Interesting thread. I'm wondering, since you refer to it simply in passing, what your particular method was for un-sticking the &**!% seatpost?

Nice work on the soldering, and congrats on the score,

max

Wives. I swear, they're the absolute fly in the ointment of a man's life. I'm usually used to seeing comments like this regarding motorcycles, it's kinda scary to see it on something as relatively inexpensive as a bicycle.

Guy's gotta start considering replacing the wife, not the bicycle.

Syke
Deranged Few M/C

The method I used to unstick the seatpost might have been the cause of the stay failure (although I've done it before on 531-framed bikes with no problem):

Take the saddle and saddle clamp out, put the flats of the seatpost (in this case, an SR LaPrade, excellent for vise-work) in a vise.

Install a spare quick-release hub in the dropouts, and fill the seattube full of ammonia.

Begin twisting. The SR posts usually loosen up after the first 12 yanks or so, then it takes about 2 hours before it begins to pull out. Helps to put the seatpost sideways in the vise and have someone pull on the downtube at the same time you spin it.

I've never damaged a frame via this method until the Trek came along. I believe the crack in the brake bridge was always there though.

Take care,

-Kurt

I prefer to look at it this way: Either you have the hobby, or you have the wife...

-Kurt

Great find Kurt. Good luck with the Trek. I think the Good Lord is paying you back for all the work you've done for all of us on Retro Raleighs by helping you make that find. But I'll let PastorBob comment further on that.

Well, I wouldn't know about that, unless Murphy's law had his way with the stays immidiately after. The Park Tools were a great find, but otherwise this bicycle has turned out to be yet another semi-nightmare that I can't afford to fix.

By the way, my work is mainly on my site, The Headbadge. I've yet to partner in anything at Retro Raleighs.

I do have some news though, but I don't want anyone to get exited about this until I confirm their availability: One of the local shops might have some Trek 720s, NOS in box, for sale, in their warehouse.

I called today to confirm that these were genuine 720s and not the Multitrack hybrids. The owner of the shop says they should be genuine 720s. He says that when I go to the shop on Tuesday, he should be able to give me the rundown on his stock of these.

If all goes well, not only might I have a source for these NOS. If so, I'd be more then glad to help hook you fellows up with one of these NOS machines.

Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck. Don't count on it though - I'm making no promises...or Murphy's law will see to it that they'll be nothing but a pile of 720 Multitracks...

-Kurt

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Great catch Cudak!

Kurt,

You're too young for a wife--- so stick with the hobby for now. But the time will come my friend, when a sweet thing will spin by on a vintage Raleigh, or Schwinn, or Trek--- and you will be smitten. Could happen next week, might not occur until the next decade. But when it does--- watch out. Until then enjoy your hobby and keep up the great posts and great replys.

I intend to stick with the hobby for as long as I can, may it be 'till the end of the earth for me.

After all, the bikes don't nag, amongst other things...

...neither do they complain about you riding other bikes!

(Sorry, couldn't resist pulling that joke)

-Kurt

Not so good news:

Those Trek 720s, as I feared, turned out to be Multitracks.

Back to the drawing board.

-Kurt