Trek Conversion

[Charles Hobbs]

I am a big fan of converting old Treks to 650b.  This is my third one.  The first one I rode ratrod style; no paint after the mods.  It is pretty dry here so rust is more patina than problem.  The second I paid to have a very basic powder coat.

After riding them for a while I passed both frames along.  This time I wanted to try to paint it myself.  No paint booth, just calm days in the backyard.  It is far from perfect, but for a learning exercise I am pretty happy.  Midnight Plum metallic.  I don't think it is a period correct Trek color but I kind of love it.  It is a Valspar auto paint I got from my local auto shop.  Two coats of clear over the decals.

This one is a little different:  a 1979 700 series in Columbus tubing instead of the usual Reynolds.  I added canti brakes, brake stops, moved the shift cables to under the BB routing, extra water bottle bosses, shifter bosses, and rack mounts.  I crimped the stays (42mm fit easy), and re-spaced the rear end to 135.

This one may be a keeper but not because it is any better riding than the last two.  when I crimped the chain stays, I cracked the left.  Perfect split along the bottom of the indentation.  I stress relieved the crack, filled it with brass and then silvered a patch over the entire area.  I am comfortable riding it, but I don't think I would release it into the world.

First ride was today.  Other than fine tuning the fit it rode fantastic.  It has 42mm on it because that is what I have on hand.  I think it wants ultralight 38mm.

Charles Hobbs

[rcnute]

A damn fine job sir!

Ryan

[JohnS]

Excellent build and modifications. Looks like a fun ride. Someday I'm going to learn to weld so that I can add brake posts and rack mounts, someday.

JohnS

[mevan...@gmail.com]

Sweet looking bike. Makes me want to find one of these old Treks myself...

Mike

[Will Watson]

That is a great looking bike. I like that paint color a lot.

Will