engineerbob

I would like to get a low-rider front rack for my 1982 720. That year doesn't have cantilever brakes and, of course, it doesn't have drilled and tapped mounting points on the fork blades. Evidently, Blackburn made low-rider racks that attached to the blades with u-bolts or some sort of u-clamp.

If you have a set you're willing to part with, let me know. Condition isn't all that important.

I just realized that I should have posted this in C&V Sales. (forehead slap)

Thanks.

Bob

bikemig 

Hose clamps will do the job so you can use any modern low rider rack if you are not concerned about keeping it all original.

Salamandrine 

Right it was a simple U bolt. In the earliest models. Lowrider racks were almost all attached with rubber lined clamps of some sort the first few years. It works fine. Forgot momentarily about the U bolts.

You can use a newer model with a clamp band and it will be fine as well. A lot were attached that way too.

I think the Nitto made bands are by far the nicest quality.
https://www.benscycle.com/nitto-clam...nd_870/product

I think Treks did get the mid-fork braze ons earliest, presumably because of their close relationship with Blackburn. It was at least a couple years IIRC before other makers started spec'ing the special braze ons. Like I set the clamps work fine; braze ons just make it neater.

engineerbob

I just found these online.
https://www.performancebike.com/surl...rk0126/p488381
https://www.performancebike.com/axio...171274/p339710

Chriscraft760 

I had one installed on my 1982 720 that the original owner ordered when he purchased the 720 new.

I sold my 720 frame and i’m not using these U-bolts since my 1983 frame has the brazed on fork bolts for this rack.
You can have these U-bolts free, just pay post.

Also,, do you have the correct length rear Jim Blackburn rack? These were specifically made for the 1982 720’s long chain stays. The one pictured was also purchased by the original owner.

Salamandrine 

The Surly hose band things look like an overly complicated way to do it, but I guess it would work. I like the Nitto bands.

Blackburn only stopped selling the original lowrider racks a few years ago. I looked into it some more, and see that they included the U bolts till the end. Someone out there has a used one with the original hardware.

(^^^ beat me to it! )

But as already noted, it's no problem to use a modern lowrider with a fork clamp of your choice.

engineerbob

No, I don't have the rear rack. Because many rear racks have one or two horizontally extendable mounting "struts", I think I should be able to find something that works. I looked at Trek's 1982 catalog pages on vintage-trek.com and I see that the 720/728 did not come with racks, even though the bike is pictured with racks. So, I should be looking for a 720-specific rack.

Chriscraft760 

That’s what the original owner mentioned that these were special racks. He did order a complete 728 with racks from Trek.

I am not liking how this 728 rack fits on my 1983 720. For some reason it doesn’t mount the same as on the 728. I’ll do more research and find out just what rack came on the 83’ 720 and of its a different rack... I can sell you this one.

What frame size is your 720?







I can measure the length of this 728 rack when I get home.

engineerbob

I think it has a 22" frame. The serial number is 032139.

Chriscraft760 

Ftont low riders: Just make sur to buy the one with the flat aluminum sheet metal on the top. That way you can secure the U-bolts

rear rack measures : it’s 15 3/16” total length across the top from the front mounting area to the back of rack. The distance from drop out mounting to top of rack is 14 1/8” long

Chr0m0ly 

Chr0m0ly 

I had a whole post with that picture...?

But I wanted to ask how wide a tire you can fit on your frame, I have the same bike and size (24”?) with 27x1 1/4 tires with plenty of fender clearance and I’m very curious how fat I could go if I ditched the fenders and went with 700s.

Chriscraft760 

Chr0m0ly.... yes we have the same year and frame size. I have 700 wheels with 700cX38 tires and they just clear by about 4mm just under the front fork crown. I don’t think I could squeeze a bigger tire on this 1983 720.
For some reason... even though I had the same size (24”) frame 1982 728... I was able to squeeze 700cX42 tires on there.. strange???

randyjawa 

I find this approach to bar wrap quite appealing. Nice job...

JohnDThompson 

For non-braze-on mounting, Blackburn supplied U-bolts to go around the fork blades:

Chriscraft760 

This is the set of U-bolts that came off the 728

engineerbob

Another forum member has offered to sell me a set of Blackburn low rider racks that use U-bolts. @Chriscraft760, thanks for your generous offer. That's one of the things that makes this site so good.

Bob

fvernon

I have a vintage Blackburn lowrider rack that will fit your Trek if you're still looking. Feel free to shoot me a message.