Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Bob's from Georgia Trek 700 Multi-Track Restoration

Trek 700 - Bicycle After

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Bicycle Before
This is the second Trek that Bob brought to be restored.  It is also well used which I love!  For the Trek 700 the only new parts will be the cables and housings, a switch to trigger shift levers and handlebar grips.

The bicycle is pretty dirty, dull and a little rough.  The headset is extremely loose and the adjustable stem was all out of whack loose.

I completely disassembled the bicycle and started cleaning the frame.  the frame is very dirty and dull with some heavy scuffing but no chipping or scratching.  I cleaned the frame and polished it out.  It came out pretty nice!  Like an idiot I forgot to take just photos of the frame polished but it should definitely show in the rest of the photos.

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Bicycle Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track
Rear Brakes - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track
Rear Wheel - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front HalfBefore 
Trek 700 Multi-Track
Front Derailleur - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Frame - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Frame Before - Top Tube

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Frame Before - Head Tube

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Frame Before - Rear

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Fork Before
Trek 700 Multi-Track - Best Shot Frame Polished
I started with the headset and bottom bracket.  I cleaned and polished the headset, turned out great and installed the fork.  The original bottom bracket I thought was shot at first.  I even installed a new bottom bracket.  The original was an early hybrid cartridge loose bearing type.  When I was sitting at my work bench I noticed a little clip on one side of the bottom bracket.  This clip allowed me to flush and oil that side.  So now the original works like butter and is installed.  Thousands of bicycles and I have never seen a bottom bracket like this.  All worked out.

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Headset - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Headset - Polished

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Headset Complete

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Bottom Bracket - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Bottom Bracket - Greased
Next was the adjustable stem and handlebars.  I disassembled the stem, it was loose in a side to side manor.  I put a shim washer in, polished all the components and now it is as solid or maybe more solid then new.  The handlebars had some rust, not as bad as the Trek 720 but enough.  I polished the handlebars and they look great.

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Handlebars & Stem - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Handlebars & Stem - Installed
Next was the brake levers.  They where in about the same condition as the Trek 720.  Dull and rough.  I polished all the components and greased and lubricated all the appropriate areas.  They look great and function great.  They kind of really pop against the dark blue frame.

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Brake Calipers - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Brake Calipers - Polished

Trek 700 Multi-Track
Front Bake Installed

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Brake - Installed
The wheels where very dirty and the grease was shot.  I cleaned and polished the hubs and installed new bearings and grease.  The wheels look much better and turn very smooth.

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Wheel Hub - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Wheel - Old Grease

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Wheel Hub - Polished

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Wheel  Components

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Wheel Installed

Trek 700 Multi-Track
Rear Wheel - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track
Rear Wheel - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Wheel - Old Grease

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Wheel - Polished

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Wheel Components

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Cassette - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Wheel - Installed
The derailleurs came next.  They where in good shape, I polished the front derailleur and lubricated it and cleaned and lubricated the rear.  Both function smooth.

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Derailleur - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Derailleur - Polished

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Front Derailleur - Installed

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Derailleur - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Derailleur - Before

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Derailleur - Complete

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Rear Derailleur - Installed.
At this time I cleaned and polished the crank as best i could.  It was also a stamped and welded crank so that makes it difficult to polish.  In the end it looks good.  I also cleaned and greased the seat post and seat and installed them.

So the bike is ready at this point to start installing the shift levers and brake levers and run the new cables and cable housings.  I started by cleaning and polishing some used brake levers at this time to go with the new trigger shifters.  The brake levers look great!  I decided to start with the 7 speed right shift lever first since the bike was in the stand that way.  I installed the shift lever and then the brake lever and ran all the cable housings and cables, all went well.  I flip the bike and started on the right side 3 speed lever.  I put the lever on the handlebars and what do I notice? It is also a 7 speed lever.  I thought hey maybe I ordered two 7 speed levers by mistake, um, no! The 7 speed lever was in a three speed box!!  So my guess is some one returned levers in the wrong box.  The company assured me they would over night me the 3 speed lever and it would get here Wednesday afternoon and it would be free of charge over nighting and sending the other 7 speed lever back.

At this point I finished everything I can except running and installing the 3 speed shift lever and the front brake cables.  When all is complete this afternoon I will take final photos of both the Trek 700 and Trek 720.

Trek 700 Multi-Track - Brake Lever & Trigger Shift Lever
Installed - 7 Speed Right Side
The front shift lever came yesterday when it was suppose to.  I installed it, ran the front brake cable and maid a few adjustments.  The test ride went very well.  The new trigger shifters shift well and the bicycle rides very smooth.  In the final photos I am very impressed with the stance of the bike.  It has a very nice look with the big tires and the smaller sized frame. I wish I could get this look in a larger bicycle frame.

The Trek 700 looks very polished very nicely and rides even better.  It is a very nice transformation that will last a long time.  I am very pleased with the results and very happy with the change from twist shift grips to trigger shift levers.  Below are the final photos.

Trek 700 - Finished - Side View

Trek 700 - Finished - Angle View

Trek 700 - Finished - Drive Train

Trek 700 - Finished - Rear View

Trek 700 - Finished - Front Half