tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30007327.post8495853054262792721..comments2007-11-28T00:04:21.379-07:00jsnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946183244967487380noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30007327.post-87173778560313634702007-11-28T00:04:00.000-07:002007-11-28T00:04:00.000-07:00good detective work!<BR/><BR/>never thought a trek could be vintagegwadzillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339430458139731808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30007327.post-11666209394974781772007-10-20T17:33:00.000-06:002007-10-20T17:33:00.000-06:00Good work! I had a similarly fun time decoding a green 520 I got. Its serial number and construction said 1989, but the graphics and color were totally wrong, plus it has some braze-ons that didn't make sense. Threw the question out to Vintage Trek, their suggestion was that the owner sent it back to the factory in 2000 for the braze-ons, and while there it was repainted in stock 520 color (green) with that year's graphics. So it's an odd one, and will be always. Great bike, though. And your bike, "bargain Trek" or not, is worth taking care of. Good riding!Leightonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03977908085693494452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30007327.post-88165715506240627322007-10-09T11:07:00.000-06:002007-10-09T11:07:00.000-06:00More intrigue: <BR/><BR/>There is an obvious, pink sticker on the seat tube that announces the use of 022 Ishiwata CrMo tubing. So no Reynolds or Columbus :( This is consistent with model 412, which was the bargain Trek.<BR/><BR/>Also, the Dia-Compe brake levers have a date stamp of 0480. And the headtube badge is glued, not screwed, which started in 1980.<BR/><BR/>So the forensic evidence points toward a mid-1980 assembly date, despite a mid-1979 serial number of known dubious accuracy.<BR/><BR/>Again, this is all from <A HREF="http://www.vintage-trek.com/" REL="nofollow">vintage-trek.com</A>.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Leighton, for pointing me to this fabulous pile of Trek knowlege!davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895525026189697187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30007327.post-30246587358466407412007-10-08T22:12:00.000-06:002007-10-08T22:12:00.000-06:00Wow! Decoding your alpha-numeric serial number is fun as hell! My serial number is M4F9A93:<BR/>M = Trek model 412 or 413<BR/>4 = 24" frame<BR/>F = June<BR/>9 = 1979* (?)<BR/>A93 = probably corresponds to the order the frames were built in.<BR/><BR/>* Here's the problem: no model 41x was made in 1979, at least according to the official brochures! <BR/><BR/>I am going to look for more clues, maybe try matching the frame measurements to the specs from the brochures. I'll keep y'all posted!davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11895525026189697187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30007327.post-31795430801927199712007-10-07T08:29:00.000-06:002007-10-07T08:29:00.000-06:00Judging from the seat-tube logo, your frame from the late '70s, right when Trek was starting out. If you're interested, go to http://www.vintage-trek.com/SerialNumbers.htm. It'll tell you the year and model. There's a good chance your frame has Reynolds tubing, possibly 531. Definitely something worth taking good care of, even restoring. $30 is more than a good deal, it's a steal.Leightonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03977908085693494452noreply@blogger.com