Old Bike blues?

[L84dinr]

I have an old 1986 Pro Series Trek with 531 tube set. I bought it 'cause the price was right, but more importantly 'cause of the 531 tube set. I have been using it as a fixed bike riding on rollers.
Anyway, I am wanting to put the bike on the road again. Is there anything I should look at, or in, before installing the original equipment (six speed with D/T shifters, 600 series Shimano brakes and deraileurs) and start riding the bike again. Can paint hide cracks? Or, if there is a bad lug joint will it be visible? The bike rides fine for me... I just want to be sure it is safe.

Thanks for the help.

Raymond

[Frankwurst]

Raymond,
I'm no expert but I ride steel and I'd be hard pressed to believe original paint would hide any cracks or flaws in the tubing/legs ect. as far as cracks goes.If it is the original paint. 531 tubes are great tubes. :beer:

[Fixed]

bro listen up hear anything i.m.h.o. cheers compai :beer:

[Elefantino]

I just bought an old Trek 760 with full 531. Can't wait to ride it. My last 531 bike was a dream. :banana:

[72gmc]

Had an '86 560 myself with 531 tubes. Rode it right up until I sold it the year before last. Spent its whole life here in the Pacific Northwest, I rode it in all conditions, and it was just fine when it left me. Bet yours is too.

[97CSI]

Have a Trek 770, which is also a lugged 531 tubeset. You might want to look inside the tubes as much as possible when the fork, seatpost and BB are removed and see what you can see. Then get a can of FrameSaver and spray liberally inside all the tubes. Don't forget the fork when you do this. Should have a couple of little weep-holes you can use on the inside of each leg. Don't think you can over-do-it with FrameSaver. I respray my Paramount, Trek and Scapin every 2-3 years, depending on whether I gotten it really wet or not. Trek lugged 531 frames are great bikes. Too bad they didn't do a good job with serial numbers so we can do the research on them like is possible with any Waterford built Schwinn Paramount.

[MartyE]

I have an 85 670 and an 84 770 both 531 frames.
I don't think the imron paint would hide frame flaws.

Great bikes, I think those early treks could give the best
of the italian bikes a run for their money, highly underated.

marty