Bicycle Mechanics - 700C rim puzzlement

I just picked up an '85 Bridgestone 450. Really nice little bike, but needs some going over. My question concerns the rear wheel; At some point the original Araya rim has been replaced by a butt-ugly aero rim. Doesn't look appropriate on the bike at all, and I'm determined to get shed of it one way or another. Seems like I have three options:

First, try to find another stock Araya/Shimano hub combo. Second, ditch the aero rim and re-lace the hub to a more normal-looking hoop (of which I already have a couple). Third, swap out the 700 wheels for a pair of 27" wheels I have (with a 6-cog freewheel).

What's the most sensible thing of the three to do, in terms of effort and expense?

I vote for #2. :D

The easiest should be #3, if you don't have to go changing brake calipers. Second easiest is to sell the existing wheel on e-Bay and buy one that matches. Good luck!

I just picked up an '85 Bridgestone 450. Really nice little bike, but needs some going over. My question concerns the rear wheel; At some point the original Araya rim has been replaced by a butt-ugly aero rim. Doesn't look appropriate on the bike at all, and I'm determined to get shed of it one way or another. Seems like I have three options:

First, try to find another stock Araya/Shimano hub combo. Second, ditch the aero rim and re-lace the hub to a more normal-looking hoop (of which I already have a couple). Third, swap out the 700 wheels for a pair of 27" wheels I have (with a 6-cog freewheel).

What's the most sensible thing of the three to do, in terms of effort and expense?

If you can build wheels, then replace the rim. But you will need different length spokes going to a different effective rim diamter, so you will need to invest- cost varies depending on spoke quality. You MIGHT be able to cheat with the spokes- sometimes inexpensive wheels have spokes that are too long, if this is the case they might work. The drive side spokes are probably OK as they are likely the same length as the left side (rarely do older machine built wheels bother with 2 different spoke lengths.) and a little longer than they need to be. But I wouldnt mix spoke types. You might also get away with lacing your wheel cross-2 instead of cross-3 if you only need 2-3 millimeters extra length. Although your wheel will not be quite as strong or forgiving as a cross 3 (which is what I assume you have). If you have never built a wheel before, don't mess around with trying to recycle the spokes, just spring for some new straight gauge ones, they dont need to cost much. Plan on a couple of hours for your first attempt at a rear wheel. I use this calculator for spoke length- good ol' Sheldon Brown to the rescue again- http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/spocalc.htm

I stuck the 27" rear wheel from another of my bikes on it just to see; the calipers fit fine, so going to 27s is a viable option. Yeah, I can build wheels, but it's been a loooooooong time since I've done it. I have to repaint the bike anyway, so maybe I'll lace the hub into one of my 700 rims while I'm waiting for the paint to set up.