What to do with a repainted '78 TX700?
10-20-19, 02:11 PM
#26
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Is that brown paint or rust?
That rear eyelet looks brazed on. Wouldn't a 720 have multiple eyelets? Don't know them that well.
That rear eyelet looks brazed on. Wouldn't a 720 have multiple eyelets? Don't know them that well.
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10-20-19, 02:21 PM
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I'd Drew the hell out of it.
10-20-19, 02:24 PM
#28
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10-21-19, 06:00 PM
#29
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+1 on the cable routing and headbadge. OTOH, year digit is the fourth position of the serial number, which is squarely under that cable guide. I think you'll have to drill out those rivets to be able to see the whole serial number, so you have the full context and no ambiguity. I reckon @JohnDThompson or @unterhausen would know for sure, but I don't think Trek ever riveted on those cable guides. And the rivets look "too new".
That said, there are "time slip" bikes out there. I have one with a serial number for an '82 400-series. Frame size is consistent with the serial #, but it has an Ishiwata 022 fork, rack braze-ons, and '83-style under-the-BB cable routing. It also appears to be a respray. If you nose around on the other Trek threads here, you see references to similar bikes where the serial number and base features (exclusive of components) don't seem to match.
That said, there are "time slip" bikes out there. I have one with a serial number for an '82 400-series. Frame size is consistent with the serial #, but it has an Ishiwata 022 fork, rack braze-ons, and '83-style under-the-BB cable routing. It also appears to be a respray. If you nose around on the other Trek threads here, you see references to similar bikes where the serial number and base features (exclusive of components) don't seem to match.
10-21-19, 06:05 PM
#30
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And if it was mine I think I’d try to strip the new paint and see if the original is under it, then clear over any scratches and wax the frame.
Looks like a looong reach to those down tube shifters so I’d put some bar ends on it. I think a rando set up would be real classy. Polished fenders, a bar bag upfront, under seat roll bag, and lights, widest rubber you can fit.
Looks like a looong reach to those down tube shifters so I’d put some bar ends on it. I think a rando set up would be real classy. Polished fenders, a bar bag upfront, under seat roll bag, and lights, widest rubber you can fit.
10-21-19, 06:47 PM
#32
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I still wonder if it's a case of a BB shell that got serial-stamped in '78, then sat on a shelf until it was used for a build later.
Any info stamped on the steerer tube?
Any info stamped on the steerer tube?
10-23-19, 07:57 AM
#34
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^^^^ What about the steerer tube - part of the fork? Have you pulled the fork?
10-23-19, 08:04 AM
#35
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He added TT cable guides, rack braze ons, shifter bosses, canti bosses, bottle bosses, mid fork bosses... but it's a TX 700.
What does make this kind of goofy is the 83-ish spec/color/decal scheme.
Then again, I'm considering doing something similar with my 78 TX 700...
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10-23-19, 10:36 AM
#36
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What I do find interesting about this is that frame is HUGE. It looks even bigger than the standard largest size of 25.5, I wonder if this was a custom build for a super tall individual...
10-23-19, 12:42 PM
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I think it's more likely that it belonged to an owner that upgraded the frame over the course of the last 40 years, like Leighton Walter did with his TX 700. CC Bicycle Gallery: Leighton Walter's Trek TX700
He added TT cable guides, rack braze ons, shifter bosses, canti bosses, bottle bosses, mid fork bosses... but it's a TX 700.
He added TT cable guides, rack braze ons, shifter bosses, canti bosses, bottle bosses, mid fork bosses... but it's a TX 700.
+1 on the frame size; can't help but wonder if this indicates a custom-ish build.
10-23-19, 01:47 PM
#39
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10-28-19, 09:55 PM
#41
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I wonder if this is one of those repaints that Trek used to offer? I remember reading on the vintage Trek size that you could send your frame in for a repaint and they would decal it with the current (at time of painting) graphics. This could explain the later early 80s scheme as well as possibly the stick on head badge? Clearly this bike has an interesting story.
What I'm not sure about is if the cantilever braze ons would have happened before this possible repaint? I believe cantilevers would have been pretty new stuff at this time but not out of the realm of possibility. Perhaps the owner made the modifications in the early/mid 80s, had it repainted elsewhere, and acquired more current decals and head badge to complete?
Would be interesting to see if there was any evidence of a previously riveted badge if you pull the fork.
What I'm not sure about is if the cantilever braze ons would have happened before this possible repaint? I believe cantilevers would have been pretty new stuff at this time but not out of the realm of possibility. Perhaps the owner made the modifications in the early/mid 80s, had it repainted elsewhere, and acquired more current decals and head badge to complete?
Would be interesting to see if there was any evidence of a previously riveted badge if you pull the fork.
07-08-20, 09:11 PM
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Did this mystery ever get solved?
