sailorbenjamin

I don't need this bike. But it's only $40 and it's my size and it's a Trek.
The guy says it has an Ishiwata 022 double butted sticker on it and the serial number is M4G0R(or B)37.
If I'm reading that right, it's a 1980 412 or 414 (all these numbers seem like splitting hairs) made overseas.
I really like the Trek that I have, an 83ish 612 or 613 or 614 (all these numbers seem like splitting hairs). It's an American made 531 bike and a few steps up the ladder from the 412.
But the Japanese made a pretty good low end frame back then.
It's about a 40 minute drive from here so if I go all that way,I may as well bring it back. If I hate it I can always flip it.
The guy says it needs a front derailler and one of the brakes is screwed up.
What do you guys think? Worth the drive?

DiegoFrogs

Definitely. I've always wanted a classic Trek, even the Japanese ones. That'd be a pretty good bargain, even here in Arkansas, let alone New York.

old and new

JUMP on it, a damn set o' tires cost that much !

23skidoo

I think not made overseas unless you consider Wisconsin a foreign country...

EjustE

It is as non-American as your Reynolds 531 (British origin) bike. Just the tubes were made overseas... Ishiwata 022 is right up there with Reynolds 531 as far as tubing goes. Because of the yen boom in the 80s, Trek went away from Japanese tubes...

wrk101

I have flipped two 412s this year. I would be in my car right now picking that bike up.

cycleheimer

Go for it. Fairly early model Trek, although an entry-level model (comparable to other manufacturer's offerings higher up on the totem pole). In good condition, can easily bring $150++ next spring. The Rigida alloy rims, IMHO, are not the strongest for a "keeper" ... but you can probably make $100 on this one if it is in decent shape.

cycleheimer

If you decide against it...I'm in New York (buddy, comrade, pal, amigo ) ... I've got $40, you could send it my way

jacksbike

For $40 grab it. Worst case, you could sell the frameset or wheels for more than what you paid for the whole bike.

EjustE

Nah...

mid level for Trek, mid/upper level compared to the competition like Schwinn, Peugeot, Univega, etc. The entry level Trek (3xx) was about right in the middle for the other guys' lines...

sailorbenjamin

I didn't need this bike....BUT for $40 who can walk away from an early Trek? In my size?
It does need some work. the paint and decals aren't great and the fork might be a little tweeked (maybe it's just the camera angle) it's so hard to tell I don't think I'm gonna worry about it.
Now here's what the Vintage Trek site says;
"According to the brochures, Trek did not make 41X and 61X bikes or frames during 76, 77, 78, and 79 and also not in 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, or 89. These serial numbers apparently do not follow the year convention used for other Trek models. It is likely these frames, SNs beginning with M or N (Models 41x and 61X), were contracted out, and were given the old serial number form so as not to interfere with the sequential numbers being assigned by Trek in their shop, which began in late 1980."
Now, I'm pretty positive that this is a 1980 model (and my other is an 82) and this doesn't seem effect me but who did they contract these out too? And why do my bikes use the extended serial number pattern rather than the sequential pattern that the rest of the factory went to in 1980 if they were made in the same factory?

sailorbenjamin

Oh, and it looks like the Rigida rims were replaced with Ukais.
Hey Cycleheimer, how far are you from Spring Valley?

sailorbenjamin

It also looks like these have Very similar geometry if not identical. It'll be interesting to compare the ride of the 531 bike vs the 022 bike side by side.

keep on trekkin

Interesting find. Yeah, geometry looks identical from that view. Fork seemed to be pushed back a bit? I thought my 77/8 504 was also, don't think it is. That bike will clean up nicely!

roccobike

Good, glad you grabbed that Trek. If you pass up a Trek 412 for $40 and it's all there, we would have to yell at you, especially since it appears to be your size.
That bike needs some TLC but it's well worth it. You might land up keeping it as a rain bike or just to satisfy the n+1 rule.

fliplap

Thread from the dead, replying for the sake of others.

The Golden Boy 

Thanks for the bump and the good info!

All too often, people think "vintage Trek = USA" and that's not always or entirely true. 600 series frames are the most often mislabled= Trek would put great big "USA" and "Waterloo WI USA" tags on the bikes... They were also pretty flexible with the wording in regards to frame materials. It helps to know that what differentiates a 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 900 series frame under the time frame it was made. A 600 series frame will have a 531 main triangle- but ALWAYS a "lesser" fork and stays. Where a 531CS frameset will say "531 main tubes and 531cs fork and stays" that still means that 531CS is CrMo in the fork and stays. It's also interesting that by 86 a 400 series bike was roughly the equivalent to the 85 600 series bike- butted 531 main frame and CrMo fork and stays.

Nuttypops.

shrtdstncrdr

Thanks for the Trek knowledge on this thread. As someone who rides a basic '84 400 series as much as he can (and loves every minute of it) I can only imagine the high end models have details and nuances only a more skilled and experienced rider than I am currently, would appreciate.

JohnDThompson 

In the early 80s, the Waterloo factory was unable to keep up with demand. The 4nn series frames were brazed in Japan and imported as bare, unpainted frames to be painted and assembled in Waterloo.

sailorbenjamin

Takes nine years to get an answer around here.

bikemig 

It's a vintage thread . . .

sailorbenjamin

And for what it's worth I couldn't tell the Reynolds frame from the Ishiwata frame in terms of ride and handling. I swapped the wheels and everything. I ended up keeping the brown one cause I liked the color.