1976 or 1977 era Trek identification
11-26-19, 10:17 PM
#1
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1976 or 1977 era Trek identification
I bought a bike frame on eBay. I think it is a 76 or 77 TX700. Assuming it is a 76 or 7 it has the wrong badging/stickers. Perhaps it is a repaint with aftermarket stickers or a factory refresh. Any thoughts as to which? How often did the factory do such a refresh?
The serial number starts with a G. It has braze on cable guides at the bottom bracket and Campy drop outs. The head badge is glued on, but the frame has at least one hole for the screw. The badge does not have holes. The Reynolds sticker says 531c, but I think that the tubes would be “plain” 531. Is this correct? Is there any easy way to even tell the difference?
More pictures tomorrow. These are from the listing.
The serial number starts with a G. It has braze on cable guides at the bottom bracket and Campy drop outs. The head badge is glued on, but the frame has at least one hole for the screw. The badge does not have holes. The Reynolds sticker says 531c, but I think that the tubes would be “plain” 531. Is this correct? Is there any easy way to even tell the difference?
More pictures tomorrow. These are from the listing.
11-26-19, 10:43 PM
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If you can read the full serial number, you should be able to get the correct model/year from Vintage-trek.com.
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11-27-19, 08:13 AM
#3
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If you can read the full serial number, you should be able to get the correct model/year from Vintage-trek.com.
The chainstays measure 44.5 (700 rather than 730), the fork has midpoint mounts, there are two sets of bottle bosses and top tube cable holders.
The headtube badge is not screwed in, although I see one hole just above the badge and the downtube TREK is from a later period than the serial number (and seatstay style etc.) suggests.
Pictures:
11-27-19, 08:29 AM
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I think you're right about the newer decals/head badge. The seat stay caps and over-the-BB cable routing suggest pre-84, while the decals appear to be from the mid-80's.
The fourth digit (number) should correspond to the last number of the build year on these early frames.
The fork mounts may have been added by a previous owner.
The fourth digit (number) should correspond to the last number of the build year on these early frames.
The fork mounts may have been added by a previous owner.
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Last edited by Hudson308; 11-27-19 at 08:33 AM.
11-27-19, 10:24 AM
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I think you're right about the newer decals/head badge. The seat stay caps and over-the-BB cable routing suggest pre-84, while the decals appear to be from the mid-80's.
The fourth digit (number) should correspond to the last number of the build year on these early frames.
The fork mounts may have been added by a previous owner.
The fourth digit (number) should correspond to the last number of the build year on these early frames.
The fork mounts may have been added by a previous owner.
The paint is in good shape for the age of the bike. I am thinking this has been repainted and rebadged. My question is, did the factory do this? That might explain the mid 80’s badging. Time for cleaning, frame saver etc. I plan to put this together to ride next summer.
11-27-19, 10:37 AM
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I'd be very surprised if the factory affixed a new head badge that didn't cover the old mounting holes. Regardless of who did the repaint, it looks like a great frame!
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Last edited by Hudson308; 11-27-19 at 01:25 PM.
11-27-19, 11:48 AM
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If you see the g then definitely a pre 80 TX700. Somebody worked on it since that era did not have water bottle bosses or bb cable guide. The fork would not have bosses. Maybe try to figure out the fork crown (catalog says haden europa) but could be a swapped fork if not that type crown. Actually I do see on VT a 77 tx700 with water bottle bosses and guide....my ishiwata 78 frame has neither and assume all were like that. Those stickers are the 84 types
Last edited by dailycommute; 11-27-19 at 11:56 AM.
11-27-19, 11:52 AM
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I think Trek did factory repaints, and would use whatever current decals were at the time, so I would bet that's what this is.
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11-27-19, 12:46 PM
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My '79 930 has two top cable guides, over bottom bracket cable guides, and a single set of bottle cage mounts. And shifter mounts of course. My understanding is that it came as a frame set with whatever brazeons the customer wanted. Was that also true of the 700 series?
My '80 414 does not even have shifter brazeons.
They both have a single fender mount on each dropout. Glued on head badge on the '80.
My '80 414 does not even have shifter brazeons.
They both have a single fender mount on each dropout. Glued on head badge on the '80.
Last edited by seedsbelize; 11-27-19 at 01:12 PM.
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11-27-19, 01:49 PM
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11-27-19, 02:28 PM
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I agree it is likely a factory repaint. Fork may not be original, as I don't recall that Haden crown being used prior to about 1980. Nor would rack mounts on the fork blades have been standard until 82 or so, but those could have been added at the time of the repaint.
11-27-19, 03:04 PM
#12
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I agree it is likely a factory repaint. Fork may not be original, as I don't recall that Haden crown being used prior to about 1980. Nor would rack mounts on the fork blades have been standard until 82 or so, but those could have been added at the time of the repaint.
The fork has the bike serial number hand scribed into the steerer tube.
11-27-19, 07:08 PM
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My '79 930 has two top cable guides, over bottom bracket cable guides, and a single set of bottle cage mounts. And shifter mounts of course. My understanding is that it came as a frame set with whatever brazeons the customer wanted. Was that also true of the 700 series?
My '80 414 does not even have shifter brazeons.
They both have a single fender mount on each dropout. Glued on head badge on the '80.
My '80 414 does not even have shifter brazeons.
They both have a single fender mount on each dropout. Glued on head badge on the '80.
11-27-19, 07:26 PM
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And the replacement fork may have had factory mounts on it.
You should find a screw-on head badge for it, IMHO.
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11-28-19, 09:47 AM
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This bike is spaced for 27 inch wheels. I will use 700c with 28 and 32 tires. Looks like I will need some longer reach brakes than the ones I have on hand though. This frame has a lot more tire clearance than any other frame I have including a 640 and a 620.
