Classic & Vintage - '79 Trek 530 build: HELP!

Building up my Trek 530 frame has been a nightmare - I mean, adventure.

My original plan was to use an existing wheelset with a 6 speed freewheel, Suntour Cyclone derailleurs, vintage triple cranks, and Suntour barcons.

First, I couldn't justify the current prices on vintage triple cranksets with unknown lifespan on eBay when I could have a new Sugino XD that has a classic look. So I went with the compact 46/36/26 (first "mistake").

Then, I found two shorn nipples on the wheelset I planned to use. Rather than rebuild the wheels, I looked for a while for a vintage set, but again I couldn't justify the used prices on wheels with unknown history/reliability, so I opted for a new set of Ultegra/Open Pros from performancebike.com. Mistake number two.

I went with an 8 speed Sram cassette on this, with a 11T high and 28T low.

Now, I knew I might have trouble with the Cyclone FD on the compact triple, so I found a cheap Suntour Mountech that is cosmetically identical (without the high polish on the cage). It has a deeper and slightly longer cage better suited to crossover touring ring setups.

Now to the problems:

1. The high gear of 46T on the Sugino XD requires the Mountech to be mounted so low that it interferes with the RD cable (which runs along the top of the chainstay). The Cyclone just barely clears it, but it's being stubborn on upshifts. I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll have to find a mountain type compact triple FD. Can anyone recommend one that is all silver, has a 28.6 clamp and is preferably high polish?

2. The Cyclone Mk II GT RD can't handle an 8 speed. It bottoms out on the next to lowest rear cog. Any recommendations on a high polish vintage RD that will definitely handle the range of an 8 speed? My other option is to go with the "high polish finish" version of the Shimano 105 or Ultegra, which look okay to me - and I know the performance would be excellent. However...the budget on this bike has spun out of control, and they aren't cheap.

I'm not sure why I'm wed to the idea of vintage derailleurs, when much of the rest of the bike has been "upgraded" to new parts.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I put new RD & FD on my Trek 710. Shimano Deore LX long cage on the back and Fd Shimano for a triple I think same deore? on the front. Both work well and both were gotten from new yellow jersey on sale I think it was about $80. They work fine and if I ever had to desire to run indexed I can. Since I am running friction, I can use any friction shifter I think. Also Shimano stole all of Suntour designs in the 80's or 90's when Suntour's patents exprired so it is kind of Suntour by default.

I put new RD & FD on my Trek 710. Shimano Deore LX long cage on the back and Fd Shimano for a triple I think same deore? on the front. Both work well and both were gotten from new yellow jersey on sale I think it was about $80. They work fine and if I ever had to desire to run indexed I can. Since I am running friction, I can use any friction shifter I think. Also Shimano stole all of Suntour designs in the 80's or 90's when Suntour's patents exprired so it is kind of Suntour by default.

A question about your FD: how long is the cage? It looks like it nearly reaches the chainstay as well, but it's blocked by the crankarm in the photo. I was thinking the cages on the compact mountain triples were shorter, but maybe I'm wrong? I have an early 90s Shimano XT on another bike, and it appears to be as long as the Mountech. I can't see your rear derailleur cable either...is it running on top of the chainstay?

I have a Deore LX that I was planning to save for a rain bike (seeing as I can't fit fender on the 530 as I had planned). But it's so bulky, and it has a face only it's mother could love. Of course, it is perfectly functional. But if I can get away with something smaller, like the Cyclone, I'd prefer it. I'm only running a 28T low gear on the back, so I don't need the a "Mega" capacity derailleur.

If I can't find something vintage for a reasonable price, I might go for the previous generation of Ultegra or 105 with the fake high polish finish. Does anyone have any experience with these on friction systems? I'm guessing they wouldn't perform any worse than a Deore.

One thought that crossed my mind is that I could grind the part of the Cyclone's body to allow it a bit more travel. But is this wise? Would it compromise the alloy or cause other problems? I'm not sure I can or should disassemble it for this purpose anyway.

I just rode the bike brakeless, and I must say the current setup works wonderfully - at very slow speeds - excepting the previously mentioned issues. I think the modern ramped cassette does wonders for friction shifting.

Here are some photos of the setup that will never be (note: the cable only comes close to the FD when in the small large combination, when the cable is most taut):

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Trek%20530/trek_530_mid_build_drivetrain.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Trek%20530/trek_530_mid_build_FD_clearance.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/Trek%20530/trek_530_mid_build_driveside.jpg

The cable runs on top of the chainsta like yours. There is a bout a 1/4 inch between the cage at its lowest and the cable. The cage seems aslong on my LX FD as the old Mountech but I did not measure for sure. The FD had to rotated back a bit to get the FD to shift cleanly into the little ring.

As far as looks, go ahead you can say it, the rd & the FD are ugly. I had though of using a NOS 1st genration Cylone FD & RD but as I am riding this bike 80-100 miles a week in all weather, it seemed stupid to pay for vintage parts and then set out to destroy them.