jhynesrockmtn

Hi, I've been mostly storing a late 70's/early 80's Trek for some time. Unfortunately it is very difficult to read the serial number. From what I can tell it is Reynolds 531, Suntour shifters, Shimano 600 drivetrain and brakes, Avocet saddle, SAKAE Custom bars. The original wheels are long gone. I bought this at Recycled Cycles in Seattle several years back. In good overall condition and rides, shifts and brakes well. I don't have enough posts to upload photos but can send them to anyone interested. Looking for a way to determine rough value and best way to sell?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Regards, Jerry

ramzilla

Take it outside in the sun & get some nice pictures. Set camera on close up & get shots of the FD, RD, crankset, brakes, levers, & wheels. List it on Craigslist, Facebook & Nextdoor. I think it will sell faster if you don't do any repairs & offer it for a low price.

madpogue 

Partial pic assist:




















The decals appear to indicate 531 frame and fork. No later than 1982, evidently. Starting in '83, most models went to derailleur cables under the BB.

Get a photo of comparable quality of the underside of the BB shell. Together, we might be able to make out a serial number.

trainman999

Probbly a 1980 710 Reynolds through out, Campagnolo droupouts, screwed on headbadge, longer wheel base than a 730

Kabuki12

Tall frame , but high quality. Right now in SoCal about 200 due to mismatched components and it needs a good cleaning. It is in nice shape but probably needs clean and grease . The dust on the fork crown says it hasn’t been ridden much lately. Large frame bikes appeal to a smaller crowd. I ride a 25” frame and have gotten pretty good deals on my bikes due to the fact that us long legged riders are not that common.

Chriscraft760 

The screws on the head badge are a dead giveaway it’s an early TX700 model. I’d say 1976-78 for frame and fork only
all Reynolds puts it top of the food chain.. if not bent or dinged... $250-$300 on just the frame and fork. Unfortunately it’s worth more selling it as frame/fork with original headset IMHO

the 4th digit on the serial will tell you what year it is. Rest of the first letters/numbers say what model and size frame

Chriscraft760 

Looks like a 24” frame... Let me know if you are willing to ship,,,

Jmpierce

Brazed on brake cable guides makes me think its later than 76-78, maybe 80? My 82 710 has a glued on head badge but the rest looks a lot like this one.

Chriscraft760 

Trek did braze-on by request back then in 76-78.. if it’s what I’m saying.. 1976-78
... this frame and fork is worth a few bucks.. the Mismatched parts drop it in value

jhynesrockmtn

I don't have access to PM's other than to read them in my email. Please send another with your email and I can respond.

jhynesrockmtn

Thanks for the responses. Great information. I'd prefer to get this in the hands of someone who would really appreciate it. I'll get some measurements and report back on the size. I'll get some close ups of the bottom of the BB.

Chriscraft760 

Shoot me an email

nesteel 

Since Trek was reasonably decent about serializing framesets, I'll wait to see that to determine age and model.
The screw on head badge by itself does not mean is a '76-78 TX anything. They used it until what, 1980, phasing it out during/after that?
The frame material and dropouts certainly point to something of reasonably quality.
And I'd value a TX700 frameset in the $175-250 range in todays market. $250-300 is pie in the sky.

Chriscraft760 

Just by the photos I’m guessing it’s a 1978-1980 TX736 if what’s left of the Shimano 600EX group set is original. The serial number will only indicate it’s a TX700.... the group set will make it an 006 if this frame was sold as a complete bicycle

So most are on par with a $175-$250 estimate then. $250 on the high side depending on original finish I assume. Very well, I stand corrected.

the larger sized frames drop in value as stated

StarBiker

That's a reasonably desirable bike. Do ya want a fast nickel, or a slow dime........

jhynesrockmtn

Thanks for all of the information and madpogue for the assist with the pics. I've tried to upload one of the BB. I did look at the serial number information on the vintage-trek.com site and that helped with the hard to read serial number info. From what I see the first four are G4H8 which I decode as a 24 inch TX700 or 770, H is august and 8 is 1978. The measurement confirms the 24" number.

Christcraft I'll shoot you an email.

Regards,
Jerry

madpogue 

Good job, that's a hard serial number to read, but I think you nailed it:

Chriscraft760 

Now that we know this is a1978 TX700 frame set... in this condition... what’s a fair price value.
Just want to make a good offer. I know it probably needs a repaint to properly be rrestored.

ramzilla

It's a nice bike that looks like it has decent tires and it's ready to ride. I think the only trouble you'll have selling it will be finding someone tall enough for it. I would price it $225 "as - is".