I made some good progress polishing up some parts on the Park Pre over the holidays. The brake levers (just about the only component not Dura Ace) are 105s. They were very badly scared, particularly the left side. After some oven cleaner and lots of elbow grease I am really happy with how they turned out. This prompted me to go at the (also very badly scared) 7401 pedals as well. Still some more polishing to do on the pedals. Haven't tried them out yet, so keeping my fingers crossed that the cleats will still be snug.
I do have a few issues, and I could use some advice:
1. I am having a problem with headset stack height. I previously had a circa-1990 Shimano 105 headset installed. However, the DA 7400 headset appears to have a much taller stack height. (I don't have access to the old 105 headset now to confirm difference in stack heights.) I can only get the top locknut on the DA headset to go on a couple threads. The races are on the frame & fork tight, but there is a little play back & forth which I suspect is due to the fact it's only on by a couple threads. Any thoughts/tips/suggestions for addressing this stack height issue? I'm really set on using both the original fork and DA headset if at all possible.
2. Rims: As I start to hang all the parts on this bike, I'm thinking it would look better with silver/polished rims. Anyone have any suggestions for circa 1989-91 silver/polished, high-end, Japanese tubular rims?
3. BB spindle: I think I installed the BB spindle backwards. I see much more of it extending on the non-drive side. Does anyone know if the DA 7400 spindle is asymetrical? Btw, other than installing it or measuring from race to taper end, is there a quick way to tell which side is L/R (i.e. type legible from front of bike)?
4. Shift levers. Now the gray anodized shift levers stick out like a sore thumb, so I'll probably spray them with oven cleaner & give them the ol' Khatfull treatment, too, then fill in letters with blue paint as has been done with the other parts.
Notwithstanding these few items above, I just need tape, lube, cables, and air in the tires.
