DrJim

In another thread about "Recommendations for a steel frame" I made mention of a 1983 Trek that I had redone. Actually it is a 1982 model 311 frame that I bought on ebay. Since we all like pictures I thought I would post some showing the history and the final product.

I stripped the old Trek paint and did some brazing to modify the cable stops and add down tube shift lever bosses and attachments for fenders and a front rack. I moved the rear brake cable run to the bottom of the top tube.

As you can see, I used VO cranks and handle bars. Other parts from VO are the silver shift levers, the Kalloy seat post and the Tektro brakes. The brakes are the Tektro model R539AG that VO sells with the nutted mounts.

Also notice my home made half toe clips. I used to ride with clips and straps but I wasn't tightening the straps so I removed them. Then it occurred to me that I didn't need the strap eyelets so I cut them off with a Dremel tool. I find that these home brew clips are more comfortable than the ones you can buy which tend to pinch my toes.

Although I bought fenders and the front rack (from VO) I have decided not to install them. Actually, I did install them but I wasn't satisfied with my installation so I took them off.

Although this is a fairly low end frame set I find its fit and ride are probably the best among my fleet which includes a Soma
Stanyan build, two Miyatas (1988 model 312 and 1984 model 710), a mid eighties Nashbar Toure MT and a Giant hybrid.

fender1

Sir, you do excellent work!

DrJim

Thank you much.

DrJim

I should add that the head set is from VO as are the pedals. The wheels are from VO using their Diagonale rims. The cassette is one of the supposedly Sheldon Brown designed products from Harris Cyclery. It is a 13 - 34 tooth unit.

The paint is Dupli-color enamel, cherry red, from a rattle can.

BHOFM

Beautiful job.

I ride an old Trek Multi Track, 91 model. I went new bike looking, in
the $1200 to $1500 range and didn't find anything as nice as what
I had.

Ain't no steel like old steel.

uncle uncle

Your shifter braze on's look like they were placed a smidge higher on the down tube than what is most commonly seen. Was that a conscience choice? I think if I had the know how to braze my own, I would pick about the same location. It's commendable that you made it your own, regardless of it's tubing pedigree (something that get's too much attention at times). It doesn't matter how fancy the tubing is if it doesn't fit. I'm envious.

OldsCOOL

I like it!

Chris W.

Beautiful work!
Did you do the brazing yourself? The rattle can paint job is great!
Are you gouing to put fenders on it?

Cheers,
Chris

DrJim

I patterned the braze on's after the ones on my Soma Stanyan including the location of the shift lever bosses.

Regarding the brazing, my first thought was to get a local frame builder to do it for me. However, since I like to do my own work if I can, I decided to try doing it myself. I had to buy brazing equipment and materials for the job and I read up on technique. I have to say though that brazing ain't so easy, especially for an old fart like me with a tremor problem.

illwafer

DrJim,

so awesome. everything from the spirit of the project to the final product. well done.

DrJim

Thanks for the good word.

I did do the brazing (I'm a total rookie).

I probably won't put fenders on it. As I mentioned, I have fenders and a front rack but I am changing my opinion about fenders. I also had fenders on my Soma Stanyan and a rear rack but I recently took them off. An honest assessment was that they were mostly for style. Since we are in a severe drought here in the Dallas area, I don't need much protection from spray. The Soma with fenders also suffered from toe clip overlap that is a pain in the posterior.

uncle uncle

As I get older, I guess I like the shifters higher (easier on back bones). The brazing looks pretty d@m good to me.

DrJim

Seems to me that the levers should be as high as possible as long as they don't cause interference.

I think the quality of the brazing is good. Honestly, the right shift lever is slightly off and one of the little reinforcement diamonds for the water bottle bosses is slightly misaligned (I forgot to mention the water bottle bosses.)

My brazing problems were more in the process than the final results. It is not easy to do things like insuring the rack bosses on the forks are kept in alignment while the brazing is done. And then there is my shaky hand and the problem of accurately targeting the end of the brazing rod.

BHOFM

Like a lot of things, once you get the feel for it, it becomes second nature.

This is all brazed. And very thin material.



Finished project.



For your first time, it looks great, really great. Maybe I can send you
some work?

Chris_in_Miami

Nice work DrJim, it's cool to see your handiwork in the intermediate photos. Fantastic choice for the color too!

DrJim

If I were to try what you have done I would probably have a nervous breakdown. That looks great.

I can usually figure out how to do things requiring hand work but I do suffer from what is called essential tremor that makes it difficult to maintain a steady hand for fine work.

Spoonrobot 

That looks great!

DrJim

I thought the intermediate pictures might be interesting. I have more but the posting limit is twelve.

I surveyed my friends and my wife and they settled on red. Dupli-Color Cherry Red was agreeable. The blue bar tape and cable housings might be thought a little gaudy.

Sigurdd50

The Red looks great.... but, the original paint looks as good as or better than many Treks of that era. What prompted you to repaint?

DrJim

A few things. First, the paint may look OK in the photo but in fact it was pretty bad in places. Second, I was looking for a project and I wanted to try my hand at painting a frame. Since my plan including brazing it was necessary to refinish. I had done another bike many years ago when I was in grad school. Also, since I was using all new parts I think the final product is more consistent with a new finish. Try to imagine all those new bright and shiny bits on an old beat up frame.

DrJim

Thanks to all for the compliments on my work. The response has been very gratifying, so gratifying that I find myself overcome by hubris. But remembering that we all like pictures, here are a few more.