Road Fan

I just received a 1982 Trek 720 frame/fork, same size as my old 1984 610. It does not have canti posts, so it is definitely 1982. The plan is to purpose the 720 into the same roles as the 610 with the same parts (well, going to Campy 2x10 compact is a possibility) and make the 610 available for someone else who wants a Trek project. The new 720 seems to have the same main tube dimensions as the old 620, so a good body fit is nearly guaranteed. I'll probably be able to install the custom long-rake fork from the 610 onto the 720 directly, though that will create a gargantuan wheel base. Some great features of the 720 are rack/fender eyelets, and very finely filed lugs. When I get pics up I can show those off.

This 720 needs a few things: needs a wash, needs alignment, I may opt to cold-set it, it has a bunch of little rusty dings on its original paint, a bent dropout adjuster screw, and a small TT dent. If I transfer the fork it will need painting to match. At this point, maybe it all needs paint.

Some questions:

Recommended painters in the northern Midwestern states? I would have gone to Matt Assenmacher, Chris Kvale, or Ron Boi as first choices, but they are all kind of reduced in their services for one reason or other, at the moment.

Recommendations for frame alignment?

Maybe I should "better call Gugie?"

Who has had a good frame/paint service or restoration experience and wants to tell me about it?

himespau 

You can't start a thread like this without pictures.

bark_eater 

If I may: Trek 720

Road Fan

Yes thank you, Bark_Eater! Neglected to note, I bought it from Bark_Eater! Arrived just a few days ago!

I wonder if I can save those pictures into my photo gallery?

bark_eater 

All intellectual property comes with the frame..... I'm glad it went someone with enthusiasm.

52telecaster

Looks like a great project and too small for me so I'm not jealous. What is the brake reach with 700c? I think its better to not have cantis in this case. You will be able to get pads lined up no sweat.

bear_a_bug 

If you're going to repaint, consider what other braze-ons you'd like to enhance the frameset.

Maybe canti posts and DT shifter bosses? They don't cost much to get done, and now would be the time.

thumpism 

Since I missed it, I'm glad it's too small for me. Enjoy!

SurferRosa

After looking at pics, couldn't tell it needs any paint work. Didn't see a "dent." Alignment can be done at home easily enough.

Road Fan

I won't be going with canti. I was trying to say the lack of canti posts is an advantage in this case. I'm going to equip this frame by transferring parts over from my Trek 610, which came with side-pulls. It is a 1984 and it came with medium reach sidepulls. The same caliper fit well the 27x1 ¼ wheels it came with and worked just as well.with 700c wheels later added. No sweat, as you say! So I expect this frame to work well with a 50-something mm reach and 700c clincher wheels.

Charles Wahl

I'm as prone to repaint as anyone, but based on the photos I'd just build and ride that one. You might want it to be orange, and that's perfectly OK, but it's always good policy to build up and ride before committing to further investment. Same goes with fork transplant idea -- try and like before committing to it. Doug Fattic doesn't refinish? Did you reach out to Assenmacher directly? I guess (hope) Kvale is dealing with having been burned out -- I wonder how he's doing.

The Golden Boy 

Congratulations for joining the Trek 720 club!

After you get the bike built and get some pix up- your membership card and secret clubhouse key will be in the mail (5-7 business days). Once you're there, the other members will show you the secret handshake!

It's interesting reading that- as the later 720s have 1 cm longer top tubes than the corresponding 620s.

I'd wait with selling that 610 frame until you get some miles on the 720- while a lot of people talk about them being "flexy," you might find that relative to some bikes but not others.

Happy wrenching!

iab

Yellow Jersey can fulfill your frame alignment needs. Did a fine job with one of mine.

jiangshi

Ask for Jimmy at Motor City bikes. He can do it.

repechage

Look at the Sachs in the other thread, Franklin Frames appeared to do a fine job.

Road Fan

I had Assenmacher do some work for me in the past 24 months, and he moved his shop and closed his frame operations at the same time. He was going to consider re-opening. I haven't asked Doug Fattic anything for a while, after he told me to go see some of his former students regarding the work I took to Assenmacher. And I've been in contact with Chris Kvale lately. He is planning to be restored and running by next year.

My plan is to do just what you suggested, actually. I already have the long-rake fork, I had it built for my other Trek about 8 years ago. If I marry them I'll want to paint, since the bike is metallic taupe and the fork is blue. So I am still looking for options. Tomorrow is frame washing day, maybe with some rust-spotting.

Road Fan

Hi, jiangshi! Which Motor City?

Road Fan

I must have mistyped - my other Trek is a 610, not a 620. But tomorrow I can double-check the TTs. Another minor variable - most published Trek geometry is for the 23" 56 cm frame size. Mine are both 21 or 20.5 Another one of my list items - document the actual geometries.

Road Fan

Thanks, Dave, I forgot about them!

The Golden Boy 

The 82 and 83 have the standard TT length- the 84/5 have an extra 1cm.

Road Fan

After I check the tape measurin's, I'll post it - then we can see.

jiangshi

Packard and Platt

The Golden Boy 

Then go measure someone's 84/5.

jiangshi

Assenmacher's website says they are now accepting repairs, unclear if it is frame repairs or just run of the mill repairs. Call Matt.

Charles Wahl

Assenmacher seems to be in a single location near Flint now. Hard to tell, the way some people neglect to keep web pages up-to-date or date them, but based only on that it looks like the business does both repairs and repaints, with complete schedule for those. I don't have any personal experience with either A or F or K, but simply know them as respected midwestern framebuilders, and I pay attention since I have roots and relatives in the area.

My own go-to framebuilder lost his leasehold in NYC (building had a serious structural problem) and is now only in Union City NJ, across the Lincoln Tunnel -- so I may have to cast around for someone else I can trust to do frame work. I hate not being able to talk to someone directly when doing such things.