Chriscraft760 

I picked up an '82 Trek 728 Touring bike from it's original owner today. The Trek had been stored away for some time and he finally decided to part with it. The Trek isn't in top shape and needs TLC but its 95% original. He said they were meant to be ridden and put thousands of miles on the Trek. I'll need to source the missing parts on ebay or just hope the PO runs into them one day. He kept every part off this bike but doesn't remember where he stored them.
Story behind the bike. He ordered it from a Trek dealer in N.J. directly from Trek as a complete 720. By the time it arrived he was moving back to the Midwest so the new Trek was transport still unassembled in the original box. It was later assembled in Wisconsin at another dealer where he purchased a full Jim Blackburn set for the 728 touring bike. He always called it a 720 but knew Trek labeled it a 728. Said most riders were familiar with the 720 and not the first year 728.
Plans are to ride this bike locally and increase distance.
pictures to follow.

B. Carfree

Mine came with a certificate that the builder signed. The color is also usually listed as taupe.

Just so you know, as the current owner of one 1982 720 and the former owner of another, there is a definite weak spot to be aware of. Where the seat stays connect to the seat tube, these bikes are prone to failure. My first one failed after fifteen years and was repaired by Trek under warranty. Ten years later, after 350,000 miles, the other side failed. Unfortunately, at this point the bike was lost to me as the Trek dealer I took it to in Eugene stole it. The new-old-stock that I found to replace it had the same failure after just a few thousand miles, so I had both seat stays replaced and attached better than the original design. Trek also changed the attachment design in later years.

These are lovely bikes that handle like dreams either loaded or unloaded. Mine is still my general joy-ride bike and I've done double centuries in under eight hours, so it's not like the bike precludes spirited riding.

Build it up and ride the heck out of it. That's what these things are for.

Chriscraft760 

Thanks for the heads up on frame weak spots B.Carfree. I'll have to ask the PO if he recalls any builder signed sheet.
The previous owner had already looked this frame over and also noted no visual cracks or damage to the frame or seat stays. Trek offered a Frame lifetime warranty to the original owner and its stated on the Trek owner's manual.
This 728 is missing ( somewhere in storage) the saddle and SR SP11 platform aluminum pedals w/toe clips. He had drilled out the 700c Rigida wheels to accept standard Schrader valve tubes. The PO stated the original Suzue f/r hubs never gave him any issues other than regular maintenance sealed bearing replacement. I really like the Jim Blackburn bottle cages and racks. Besides the longer wheelbase I think these racks give it a classic touring bike look.


There is plenty of paint chipping and road rash on this Trek that at first I wanted to touch up. With only a day of ownership its grown on me. Ill just clean it up and ride it as is, its only original once.

Tourist in MSN

I thought that bike had an Atom heliomatic? If so, you might want to reconsider keeping the rear hub. But if you do have the Suzue you cited, they should be good with a bit of grease.

A friend of mine had a Trek touring bike of that vintage, possibly a 728 (until it was stolen) and he commented that it took a 3/16 allen wrench to adjust the seatpost, not metric.

bikemig 

Welcome to the club, these are sweet bikes.

bikemig 

No I'm fairly certain to positive that this is metric. The older late 70s era Treks had 3/16s binder bolts; I know my 1978 Trek TX 900 does.

Squeezebox

Nice old bicycle. What sort of gearing did it come with?

Chriscraft760 

These first year Trek 728 came with Suzue sealed bearing hubs from what I read on the Trek brochure. That's what is on this bike. I think is was the 1983 model with Helicomatic hub that everyone raves about. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that type of hub from the bad reviews I've read.
I will be swapping out the Huret f/r derailleurs for Campagnolo derailleurs I currently have but I'll keep the original parts incase I want to return it back to stock.


Nice Trek Bikemig. Is that also an '82 year model? Looks like the same center pull brakes as mine. I have the 24" version and is a good fit.

Tourist in MSN

Got it, metric seatpost bolt and Suzue hubs. Sorry if I caused confusion.

Not sure which Campy derailleurs you have but most older Campy rears will not take up a lot of chain slack. I have an old Campy on one of my bikes and I have to run a very small freewheel because I put a triple on that bike. A larger freewheel with a triple will not work with the small cage derailleur I am using. The Campy front that I am using works with the triple, but it was designed for a double and I am near the limit of the range for what it will take. Thus, you might be best off using the Huret parts that you have. If you have problems with that rear Huret, older Suntours are around on the used market and would work well in the back.

bikemig 

It's the same year as yours; it's an 1982. One interesting thing about the 720 series bikes is that they have a very long wheelbase (18 inch chainstays). That makes it really easy to set up with panniers but it takes up a lot of chain. Most touring bikes have shorter chainstays.

Chriscraft760 

I also have Campagnolo derailleurs that were designed for a double. Its a Nuovo Record front and rear derailleur stamped 1981. I plan to convert the Strada double crank to a triple to use on the 728.
I just swapped out the Sugino AT crank to the Strada double crank along with f/r derailleurs. They seam to work fine on the front 52/42 chain wheels and the rear 13-28 freewheel. Like you mentioned it will be a different story once the lower front chain wheel is in place.
Can this be fixed by adding the longer cage to the Nuovo record rear derailleur? Soma makes a long cage derailleur plate for it. May need to order a set.

bikemig 

I love old campy stuff but for a boss touring bike like this, I'd run a suntour vgt RD. You'll get better shifting and it can handle pretty much anything you want to throw its way in terms of gearing.

Chriscraft760 

So which Suntour rear derailleur? Suntour VX ? What size cage to look for?

bikemig 

I'd get the long cage, GT series either the VX or just the V series, SunTour V GT Luxe derailleur (1500)

Disraeli gears is a good source of info on vintage derailleurs; so is velobase.

These are tough derailleurs that can handle a lot of chain and your bike will require a long chain because of the 18 inch stays. Plus you're not likely to run racing gears on this bike.

Chriscraft760 

I just picked up a nice used Suntour V-GT Luxe (1500) RD from RRB Cycles near Chicago. Looks lighty used and it's the later version, date code Aug. 1979

I'll post pics when installed. Thanks for the info on a better rear derailleur.

Chriscraft760 

The Suntour V-GT Luxe I picked up was stamped (WH) so its actually a 1980 model. It looks good on the 728. Just need to install the triple crank and see how this new set up will perform.

treebound 

Looks good, ready for many miles.

Chuck Naill

One amazing post. First the miles and then to have suffered the loss of your companion by a dishonest person.

Chriscraft760 

Found a Jim Blackburn front rack in the wrong color that I decided to purchase. It will have to work till I can locate a bare aluminum front Jim Blackburn rack.
The Shimano Deore triple crank the previous owner installed used a shorter BB spindle. The Sugino AT crank wouldn't fit without rubbing on the chain stay. I replaced the Shimano spindle with the correct Sugino spindle and now the original Sugino AT triple crank is reunited with the 728 again.
I have a set of SKS Longboard P45 fenders in order. I read these would fit on this model Trek.

Chriscraft760 

The rear center pull brake was damaged. The cable retaining back side broke off and the front side was drilled out for a quick short term repair. The PO stated he was not able to find a replacement brake lever arm. I fear I won't be able to find one myself. Didn't realize these Gran Compe 450 center pull brakes were rare and expensive.
Maybe I can find out what type of alloy they were made from and repair these myself.

mstateglfr 

?

Just get some different centerpulls.

bikemig 

You can find other center pulls or side pulls to do the job. I have a set I'd think about selling. I think someone else was offering a set as well on the C&V for sale forum.

Chriscraft760 

I picked up a set of late 70's Mafac "Racer" center pull brakes for only $2.50
Haven't mounted them but they look like they will work if I swap out brake pads. I'd prefer to keep the stock brakes this Trek 728 came with. I'll try to keep this bike stock as long as the parts are functional.
Does anyone know how many of these first year complete 728's Trek produced?

bikemig 

You did good on the mafac racers; the gran compe 450s are going to be hard to find and expensive. Dia compe centerpulls are another good choice for this bike.

Chriscraft760 

I got lucky on this Jim Blackburn front rack. Picked up a local CL $50 complete British mid 70's bike that had an aluminum Jim Blackburn front rack. I then relisted the bike minus the rack for $50 the next day and found a buyer. This front rack was the right bare aluminum color and same Jim Blackburn stamping to match my rear rack. If I can only keep finding deals like this..