Bob's 1987 Trek 400 Elance Restoration - One of there last 531's

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle After Restoration

This is Bob's Trek 400 Elance.  It has come in all the way from the San Francisco area.  I love the 1980's Treks.  Yes, I grew up in Wisconsin so I am a little bias but how can you not love the 1980's Treks?  The bikes where so well made and so well thought out.  My bike I ride and my all time favorite bike I have owned in a 1980 Trek frame with a modern 9 speed group.  

I like the Elance a lot, I have worked on and restored quite a few over the years.  I believe it is the last frame Trek used Reynolds 531 or at least near the last one.  Bob's Trek Elance is in ok starting condition.  Bob actually sent another Trek Elance that the frame is to big to use as a donor bike.  The 3 ring crank and drive train will be used on Bob's frame along with a rear wheel and pick an chose a few pieces here and there.  The Trek will also receive all new cables, cable housings, bearings and handlebar tape.  Bob has new tires for the Trek so I will be using the worn out tires for test riding.  I can't wait to test ride it!

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Handlebars

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Brake Lever

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Stem

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Brake Caliper

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Rim

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Stem

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Top Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Top Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Shift Levers

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Seat

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Seat Lug

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Seat Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Crank

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Front Derailleur

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Brake Caliper

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Derailleur

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub

I stripped the frame of the components.  The frame is dull and has a few chips and scuffs but black and red are very easy to match and fill.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Top Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Down Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Down Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Lug

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Reynolds Decal

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Bottom Bracket

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Lug

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Stays

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Chain Stays

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Drop Outs

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Fork

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Crown

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Crown

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Blades

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Fork Drop Out

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Before - Fork

I gave the frame a good cleaning and then worked through the polishing grits.  The frame polished beautifully!  The photos below I believed I filled the black chips already but not the red.  I ran out of red paint to mix so I will pick some more up this afternoon.  Since the red chips I have not been filled yet the sealer wax has not been applied in the photos either.  But I am extremely happy with the frame results so far!

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Top Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Down Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Down Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Seat Lug

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Reynolds Decal

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Bottom Bracket

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Seat Lug

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Seat Stays

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Chain Stays

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Drop Outs

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Crown

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Crown

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Blade

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork Drop Out

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork

Below is the donor bike.  I think I am also going to use the handlebars the original handlebars are gouged up in the visible area.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike -  Handlebars

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike - Crank

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Bike -  Rear Derailleur

Next are the components before and after.  I will fill out the write up as they are installed to the frame.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Head Set & Bottom Bracket Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Crank & Donor Triple Crank

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Crank Exploded

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Crank Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Crank Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Derailleur

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Derailleur Exploded 

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Derailleur Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Derailleur Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Original Rear Derailleur

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Donor Rear Derailleur

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Derailleur Exploded

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Derailleur Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Derailleur Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Original Handlebars & Stem Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Stem Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Stem Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Calipers Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Calipers Exploded

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Calipers Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Calipers Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Pedals Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Pedals Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Levers Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Before - Wheel Hub

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Before - Wheel Hub

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Before - Rim

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Before - Rim

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Before - Old Grease

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Before

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Old Grease

I finished the wheels.  The wheel hubs polished very nicely.  With new bearings in new grease the wheels spin beautifully!  The wheels look great and spin great I am very happy with the results of the wheels.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Axle Pieces Ready

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Bearings - Packed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Bearings Packed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Wheel Complete

The headset and bottom bracket where in descent shape to start.  After time in the crock pot and polishing they look great.  New bearings and grease have both the headset and bottom bracket spinning very smooth. installed the headset and polished red paint look great!

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Headset Cups Pressed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Headset Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Headset Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bottom Bracket Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bottom Bracket Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket Complete

 The original handlebars where gouged up so I will be using the handlebars from the donor frame.  cleaned and polished the the handlebars look great and so much better then the gouged handlebars.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Handlebars from Donor Frame

The original stem will be used as its length is designed for the size of the frame.  The donor frame was much bigger so the stem is much longer.  The difference is in the photo below.  The original stem polished beautifully and looks amazing installed with the handlebars.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Polished Stem vs Donor Frame Stem

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Complete

 At this time I just wanted to see the wheels installed.  The wheels look amazing, I love this stuff!!

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Wheels Installed

 The brake calipers turned out amazing.  Installed they look even better!  I really really love this stuff!

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Brake Installed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Brake Caliper Installed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Calipers Installed

Next I installed the triple chain ring crank.  It looks very good installed.  I am trying to get the crank bolt dust covers to look better, I may just replace them.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Crank Installed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Crank Complete

 Next I installed the derailleurs from the triple chain ring drive train.  They look fantastic installed.  The Trek will ride fantastic!!

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Front Derailleur Installed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Rear Derailleur Installed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Derailleurs Complete

 Next I installed the seat post.  My favorite, a fluted seat post.  It looks great with the polished red paint.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Seat Post Installed

 Next I isntalled the brake levers.  Very nice Shimano 105 brake levers.  they look good installed.  They will look even better with the brake lever hoods installed.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Levers Polished

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Levers Installed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Brake Levers Complete

It took a good deal of work to get the pedals to spin smooth.  They spin very nice now and look good.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Pedals Installed

I finished polishing the shift levers and flushing and lubricating the levers.  The levers look great and function very smooth.  I also like that the rear shifting is index 6 speed.  I really liked the early indexed shifting, it was quick and crisp.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Shift Levers Complete

With the shift levers complete I installed the new cables and cable housings.  The dark Ice gray is a lot like the original cable housings and I think looks the best with the red and black color.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
New Cables & Cable Housings

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Cables Complete

 With the Trek wired I installed the freewheel and chain.  I gave the freewheel  lot of flushing and then worked in a lot of lubricant.  The freewheel spins very nice now.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Drive Train Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Freewheel Installed

 Next I isntalled the new handlebar tape.  I like very much how the with handlebar tape looks with the read color.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
New Handlebar Tape Installed

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
New Handlebar Tape Installed

 Next I gave the saddle a deep cleaning and installed it.  The saddle looks good.  It is a basic saddle that was on the Trek.  I usually don't like to pick out a saddle for someone because a saddle is a completely personal thing.  A saddle that works great for me may be horrible for someone else.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Saddle Installed

 I am using the tires that where on the Trek.  The are in rough shape but they will work for test riding.  Bob has new tires in San Francisco.  I wish these where in good shape because they are awesome old school Tom Ritchey slick tires.

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Tires Installed

Today I test road the Trek Elance.  It is one quick nimble bike!  I am bias to Trek being raised a Wisconsin kid but I don't think there where better made bikes in an era then Trek from 1980 to about 1989.  The Ritchey tires are really fast but will not last long.  The Trek shifts beautifully through the rear gears and through the 3 front chain rings.  I just love these bicycles.

The looks of the Trek really came out in the restoration process.  I like the gum wall tires but I think black wall tires will really make for a mean look.  Bob has a saddle with whit lettering that will pick up the handlebar tape beautifully.  I don't think it gets better then this!

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Handlebars

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Stem & Handlebars

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Head Tube

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Brake

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel hub

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Stem

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Handlebars

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Shift Levers

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Saddle

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - 531 Decal

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Drive Train

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Crank

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur

Bob's 1987 Trek Elance Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Thank You!
John Z.