Trek back from the dead

Thanks for the kind words. Do my best to keep track of everything, be it enjoyable (long tours, multi-city service) or painful (alas, stolen rides). There's utility in all of it.

It was the biggest they made; next size down that year was 59cm. Early on Trek made a lot of big frames, and I got one. Glad you like the bike -- rides great.

...so I was honor-bound to be good to it. I'd gotten years of service without a single complaint, no matter what stunt I pulled. Off-road? No problem. 24" of snow? At your service. Thrown into the maw of an airline cargo bay? Back with a dent, but still ready to roll. Rebuilding the bike was the least I could do.

I originally had dreams of doing something similar to an old early 60s VW Beetle I owned (only 2 previous owners with a fairly complete history otherwise) But I quickly, over an 8 year period, realised my own circumstantial and personal limitations as far as serious automotive body repair goes. I've since found a more realistic vent for this part of my persona with bikes. What's more - it's much better for the mind and body in the day-to-day rat race of commuting anyway.

... but bikes make them easier. I have/had a similar project with a once-was-beautiful 1970 BMW 2002, but it's not going to happen -- too complicated, too messy, too expensive, and, even if you succeed against all odds, financial and otherwise, what do you have? A car! I'm much happier with bikes -- way better for the soul. (Though I do have to say I still dream of an early '60s VW microbus with a split windshield....)

I have a friend who lives in Seattle, and she says, "If I didn't ride when it was raining I wouldn't be able to ride." Riding in all weather is fun, even the crazy stuff (snow especially is a blast). Get some good gear and go for it! As for cars, they're way more trouble than they're worth.

Glad you liked the bike. There are a good number of older Trek frames knocking around, and a lot of them are larger sizes, interestingly. Have never seen another TX700, but they've got to be around. While Trek was just starting out, even then they were still turning out a lot of frames. Will keep my eyes open.

Please do! I've been searching in vain for a 62cm Trek touring frame.

It was a long process rebuilding the bike, but was definitely worth it. Glad you were able to bring the 614 back -- if you see another early Trek, save its life! A few more things to do on this one (I'm considering a small "constructeur" rear rack from Velo-Orange, for example), but am going to try to keep it simple.

On the SKS fenders, they may not be as nice as the Berthouds, but they're very solid and classy in their own way, and far better than some of the other options. They're on the Super Sport I refer to in another reply, and I'm very happy with them.

I love the original Treks, and they fact that they were hand-built in the U.S. makes them even nicer. Have to give a shout-out to the framebuilder who helped me bring this one back to life, Toby Stanton of HotTubes in Worcester, Mass. Total can-do guy, and the complete opposite of some of the fussy "I only do it my way" builders out there. He's reworking a zippy mid-'80s Schwinn Super Sport for me now; can't wait to get it back.

Love it! The large frame and fenders make 'the look'.