Jeff Neese

FYI - all Trek 730s had full chromoly frames, all years. That sticker just means only the main tubes are butted. There was no hi-ten anything in any of the 730s and up. I agree it's not the original fork but that one is probably at least as good as the original.

I'm having a hard time dating this one. Is it black?

Trek Bike Models/Years/Colors

kansascity 

In my notes, I had this as 1998.

Trav1s

I’d say black with ice blue lettering accents. Just checked with the art major wife who said, "Uh, it's blue." Faded green? I doubt it. I was thinking 1998 too. 1998 Trek

After looking at the link below, I'm gonna call their green a typo and suggest it was black with blue like the one in the thread.
https://www.vintage-trek.com/trek-fi...ein-lemond.htm

Trav1s

So the numbers on the BB are as follows:
WTU1295759P
0407 is sideways beside the left side of the BB

I'm not having any luck with decoding the serial number.

kansascity 

From Vintage-Trek.com, the P stands for 1998. MODERN WTU NUMBERS

Jeff Neese

If it's a '98, this is the Spec manual. The 730 is on page 55.

https://www.vintage-trek.com/Trek-Fis...manualTrek.pdf

AdventureManCO 

GREAT work and I can't believe I haven't posted in here yet. I'm a HUGE fan of the USA-made MultiTracks. They are phenomenal bikes, and yours is no exception! Great work. When is the test ride planned?

Trav1s

Not sure yet. Still waiting to pick up parts so probably not until the current arctic blast has passed. March unless I win the lottery to pay for stuff.

Trav1s

So these showed up on Marketplace for $40. Seller held them until I could pick them up today. Mavic MA3 hoops with FH-5501 105 hubs - rear is already set up for the 8/9/10/11 cassette. I’ll clean them up, check bearings, and hub spacing this weekend. A quick search shows the FC-5501 as 130mm and I think the bike is 135MM. Definitely a step up from the wheel set that is on it.

Trav1s

Looks like I'll have a little extra play money that should cover a cassette and shifters. Beyond that, the rest of the parts are pretty reasonable.

Remaining parts list as of now:

• Cassette - Shimano 105 HG700 11 Spd 11/34T
• Chain - Shimano HG601 SLX/105 11 Speed Chain
• Shifters - SHIMANO RS700 double 11sp Flat bar
• Tires (tubes are on the way) - TBD
• Brake levers -TBD
• Handgrips (probably will repurpose the GP5's I removed from my Quick 1)
• Saddle - probably will use the Specialized saddle I have on my MTB

bikemike73 

What a GREAT SCORE !!!!!

It STILL amazes me what people throw away........

I wanted one of these type bikes for " trail" riding. There was one for sale for 30.00 WITHOUT the seat and post. I made an appt to go look at. I asked what had happened to the seat and post?
He used it on another bike.......and said he did not have the correct pump for the tires ( presta valve)
I said ohhhhh.....mmmmmmm
Bike was in nice shape, dark green.
He ended up GIVING ME THE BIKE FOR FREE !!!!
I had a seat post in my stock along with a seat!!!
LOVE the adjustable handlebars !!!!
Shifts and rides great !!!!


LOVE these multi bikes !!!

WaveyGravey

Excellent!!! This inspires me to address a 35 year old Specialized Rockhopper that I am the original owner of. Thanks

Trav1s

I continue to also be amazed at what people will toss and then purchase to replace it. I'm enjoying the work and I'm excited to see it come together. I feel a bit crazy using the 105 stuff but when it is done, I suspect it will be a great Ohio to Erie Trail option. #steelisrealtheysay
My daughter has stated that she wants my Cannondale Quick 1 when she is big enough to ride it. Maybe this will replace the Quick for me.

Inspriation, motivation, or peer pressure? Either way, I'm glad to assist!

daywood 

I’m enjoying following your progress. I used that same bar on my most recent modification binge on my Giant hybrid. The rise and width have worked great for me on that bike.

Trav1s

I really appreciate the specific feedback. They were a FB marketplace find for another project that seemed to fit this one. I'm enough of a matchy, matchy person that a silver stem was needed so I picked up the same brand on Amazon. I do wish these swept back more but I think once they are cut down it they will be fine.

daywood 

Ha! I’m the same way. I was recently doing a parts bin special and also found myself with a stem and bar that worked well together but didn’t match color wise. Fortunately, alloy bars and stems are still inexpensive, so we don’t have to feel like we completely abandoned the goal of the build for a little concession to aesthetics!

John D

i believe that 105 hub you have is up to 10 speed, not 11 compatible.

Trav1s

Thanks for the scoop on the 105 hub. I'll do some more digging on specs.

I ordered tubes and they arrived yesterday. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SNUJEY...roduct_details

I'm still on the fence what to do for tires - Swap the Marathons from my Quick, grab the tires from my wife Verve 3, or go with something else. The struggles are real!

Trav1s

Ordered the Microshift Centos shifters last night from the cheapest place that I could find with a solid reputation. Add in a 10% new customer coupon and the were about half the cost of the Shimano RS700 stuff.
https://365cycles.com/products/micro...39465371271235




Also picked up a quill stem adapter for another project to get free shipping.

If they clear the fenders, I'll add some Alivio brakes I picked up on sale for another project and borrow a saddle from a $20 Trek 820 Sport that desparately needs a new chain and freewheel (chain jumps under load).

That should leave tires, brake handles, chain, and figuring out a cassette (iI'll play around with a 10 speed mtb cassette I picked for another project

The Golden Boy 

That lugged unicrown is cool. A relic from the 1986-87 timeframe.

Trav1s

I decided to upgrade the brakes to match everything else. Installed Shimano Alivio 4000s and I’m waiting for Alivio 4000 brake levers. Swapped the saddle from a Trek 820 sport that needs serious drivetrain replacement. The microshift stuff should arrive today too. I’m excited to see it come together.

ShannonM

Are you sure that your 105 RD will index with the 11 speed MTB shifters? I thought that the "fronts are weird, rears just work" rule of mixing Shimano road and MTB parts died the death with 11 speed and later.

--Shannon

Trav1s

Temporarily in place until the Shimano Alivio T4000 brake levers arrive. I was surprised to see them arrive in a plain brown box and lacking fancy placing materials. They feel solid, have some weight to them, but are a bit larger than the Shimano stuff on my other bike.




These are the levers that are on the way:


Shimano T4000

Trav1s

Microshift centos 11 and Shimano RS-700s play well with the 105 stuff. I've spent a significant time researching the subject before I fully committed to them.

Trav1s

I've got some stuff in the works with this project. The Shimano T4000 brake levers are out for delivery today. I hope to bolt those up and install the Ergon GP-5 grips I removed from the Quick 1 today. #slowprogressovernoprogress Also swapped the 130mm axle in the 105 5501 rear hub to 135mm (Shimano Deore 756 mtb hub), adjusted spokes accordingly to recenter the tire, working on parts run an 11 speed cassette. Speaking of cassette... I remembered I still have the chain/cassette that were on the Quick 1 with the FSA crank I installed on the 730. Chain is good and cassette still has life in it so I'll repurpose them on the 730 to increase the fiscal responsibility of the project.