Calling all Trek experts on mystery
02-13-18, 09:57 AM
#1
Cycling addiction
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Mysterious trek 620 finally restored
I recently pick up this unknown vintage trek as a parts bike. It had a mix of shimano 600 6200 and 6400 and matrix titan 27x13mm rims , campagnolo grand sport hub, sakae litage Fx fork. Reynolds 531 frame suntour drop out, rack mount, the reason I bought this bike is for the first gen 6400 brake calipers and brake lever for my Schwinn Peloton.
This looks like a very early model like 613 or 614, but I no expert and that why I’m ask for help on this mysterious trek.
This looks like a very early model like 613 or 614, but I no expert and that why I’m ask for help on this mysterious trek.
Last edited by Danbianchi881; 07-29-18 at 06:33 AM. Reason: Finally finished the bike
02-13-18, 10:04 AM
#2
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Looks like a crashed vintage Trek with that fork but the frame may be OK. Still the bike looks a bit abused; what's up with that headtube? Is that tape?
The vintage Trek website is your friend here in ID'ing the bike. With the serial number, you'll be able to ID the bike.
The vintage Trek website is your friend here in ID'ing the bike. With the serial number, you'll be able to ID the bike.
02-13-18, 10:08 AM
#3
Cycling addiction
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Looks like a crashed vintage Trek with that fork but the frame may be OK. Still the bike looks a bit abused; what's up with that headtube? Is that tape?
The vintage Trek website is your friend here in ID'ing the bike. With the serial number, you'll be able to ID the bike.
The vintage Trek website is your friend here in ID'ing the bike. With the serial number, you'll be able to ID the bike.
02-13-18, 02:15 PM
#4
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Assuming that headbadge is original, it's 1981-83 - no screws attaching it to the frame, which were phased out between 1980 and 1981.
02-13-18, 02:24 PM
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Lots of ways to damage a fork that don't hurt the rest of the bike. Or someone just wanted to upgrade to a lighter, softer riding fork. This was clearly a project bike for at least one previous owner.
The headtube tape looks like something an owner did as well.
The headtube tape looks like something an owner did as well.
02-13-18, 02:33 PM
#6
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It is a mongrel. I agree with Kontact that the Litage fork may be evidence of damage. Hope the frame is OK.
02-13-18, 02:44 PM
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The usual damage you'll find on a bike that killed its fork is bumpyness or paint cracks under the top of the downtube. If that area looks and feels smooth, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
02-13-18, 03:19 PM
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There were some 5nn and 6nn bikes that used a problematic stamped fork crown that could crack at the sockets. If this is the case, the anomalous fork may be from a fork issue, rather than collision damage.
02-13-18, 03:42 PM
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The Reynolds 531 decal indicating "butted frame tubes" would be consistent with a 61x, corresponding to what JohnDThompson said. The H Lloyd Cycles Reynolds decal timeline says that decal was used from 1982 on. My 1982 614 has the slightly earlier decal, but since 1982 is a boundary year that doesn't really mean much.
As other have said, the serial number will probably settle everything.
As other have said, the serial number will probably settle everything.
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02-13-18, 05:27 PM
#10
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i would start with the S/N and frame details. These bikes are now 35 years old and ANYTHING could have been done to them.
I have an '84 610 that I bought new, and I think this has different rear dropouts, and different seat binder bolt attachment. i think its not a 1984 610.
do you have more complete pics in better light and better focus?
I have an '84 610 that I bought new, and I think this has different rear dropouts, and different seat binder bolt attachment. i think its not a 1984 610.
do you have more complete pics in better light and better focus?
02-13-18, 06:20 PM
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Exactly; flip that baby upside down and read the digits on the bottom bracket. That's your starting point.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
02-13-18, 06:24 PM
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It is not an 82 61x because they had the rear derailleur cable housing stop on the top of the chainstay. I am going with 83 640 which came with a Tange Levin headset, 531 CS frame and it came in black. The only thing off is that the 640 came with a red head tube. Is that usually a decal or paint?
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02-13-18, 07:09 PM
#13
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I'm not even sure its a 6xx! The Reynolds Sticker could have been added incorrectly.
Hard to see, buy I think the lugs eliminate 1985 and later.
Danbianchi, please measure the chain stay length and read out the serial number.
Hard to see, buy I think the lugs eliminate 1985 and later.
Danbianchi, please measure the chain stay length and read out the serial number.
02-13-18, 07:14 PM
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i guess it goes without saying you can't measure the head, top, and seat tube angles consistently to 0.1 degree?
02-13-18, 10:29 PM
#15
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I think you were right on the money with the year 1983 640, because it did come with campagnolo Gran sport pedals, campy hubs,Cinelli bar and stem. Here a picture of the head tube which I removed the white pin strips and I see red color paint under it.
It is not an 82 61x because they had the rear derailleur cable housing stop on the top of the chainstay. I am going with 83 640 which came with a Tange Levin headset, 531 CS frame and it came in black. The only thing off is that the 640 came with a red head tube. Is that usually a decal or paint?
02-13-18, 10:51 PM
#16
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were you able to get the SN decoded from Vintage trek website?
02-13-18, 10:55 PM
#17
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02-14-18, 09:06 AM
#18
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Dan,
There is no arcane secret code here, and it is not a fail for you not to know it. All you need to do is turn the bike upside down, read all the numbers and letters stamped into the bottom of the BB shell, post them all here in this thread, and then one of us here who has a lot of experience with the Trek site (like me) will do all the decoding for you (i.e. open the site and see what it says). We can tell you year, model, any geometry features, original color scheme, size, and original parts list. We can then see if it really is (barring production errors on Trek's end) a 600 series, a tourer, a racing bike of the day, or what.
It's as easy as that.
There is no arcane secret code here, and it is not a fail for you not to know it. All you need to do is turn the bike upside down, read all the numbers and letters stamped into the bottom of the BB shell, post them all here in this thread, and then one of us here who has a lot of experience with the Trek site (like me) will do all the decoding for you (i.e. open the site and see what it says). We can tell you year, model, any geometry features, original color scheme, size, and original parts list. We can then see if it really is (barring production errors on Trek's end) a 600 series, a tourer, a racing bike of the day, or what.
It's as easy as that.
02-14-18, 09:29 AM
#19
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And if the numbers aren't on the bottom of the BB shell, they're on the seat tube behind the crank- then its an 84 400 series frame.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
02-14-18, 09:44 AM
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Good point; there are reasons other than a crash why someone might switch out a fork. And the frame may be fine after a crash (if that's why the fork was switched out) which is why a visual inspection helps.
02-14-18, 09:51 AM
#21
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I suppose we should stop all the silly conjecture until Dan posts the SN.
Then we can resume with the silly conjecture and flights of wild fancy.
I still say it was the shape shifting lizard overlord aliens. Bent the fork with powers of their minds.
Then we can resume with the silly conjecture and flights of wild fancy.
I still say it was the shape shifting lizard overlord aliens. Bent the fork with powers of their minds.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
02-14-18, 10:13 AM
#23
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So it's refinished, so no paint or decals matter....
got the Trek seat stay caps- 84 and earlier-
no screws in the head badge, 80 and later...
under the BB cable routing, 82/83 and later...
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
02-14-18, 10:29 AM
#24
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Nice to eliminate the TXs as well.
Last edited by Road Fan; 02-14-18 at 10:38 AM.
02-14-18, 10:35 AM
#25
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It's got eyelets on the dropouts- so no x60-
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.