photos of the bike i am thinking of using as a conversion:






i have overhauled all the bearings on the bike and spaced/dished the wheel for SS but i don't care for the Mallard hubs and the ancient, thin, corroding spokes. The 27" rims are aluminum and double-walled, but corroding around the eyelets and the braking surface sucks. I chopped and flopped the bars but they are really tiny, maybe too small for me in the long run. I don't like using the cross-stop levers i found either, i would rather use some levers that I can use will on the "horns." I replaced the center-pulls with side-pulls.

the only thing missing to get it rolling at the moment is a freewheel. after that, I'll see how these wheels hold up and maybe replace them.

should this bike have an odd-thread BB and headset? that will be a hassle later too. this is why i am considering buying a new bike instead, or just finding a better bike for conversion. I could also re-build this as a geared bike again (I still have all the parts), sell it, and use the money to buy something better.

your thoughts? I am building up an old geared Schwinn mountain bike to be used as a commuter/grocery getter. This Motobecane will be for hauling ass around town as more of a purely fun bike.