So, I'm a new poster - seemed appropriate to join, and to put up my new build-to-be in its nascent stage, after so much time spent consulting old threads for all the helpful tidbits. I just picked picked up a Nishiki Prestige frame, 25" to c-to-t, 62cm c-to-c. Metallic green (sorta blue-green to my eye) with brand/model in yellow (on the downtube and front of the top, as per standard). Came with original SunTour Cyclone shifters, seat post bolt (unknown), seatpost (Sugino) and headset (unknown). A few paint chips, notably some evidence that a previous rider dropped his chain. Generally in pretty damn fine condition, from what I can tell (but what do I know). Take a look at these pics of the frame & fork:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...57627370357669
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...57627370357669
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...57627370357669
And here's the serial number, though I don't know if anyone has these figured out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...57627370357669
My only issue at the moment, first task as it were, is with a little bit of rust in two locations. The first is inside the seat tube, and I think this is just a patina, probably not serious (but again, what do I know?):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...57627370357669
Secondly, there is rust in the cable guides on the top tube, and this looks a little for substantive. The guy who passed the frame along suggested that this could be controlled using anti-corrosion product of some kind. I'll have to look this up, as I don't like the look of these:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...57627370357669
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...57627370357669
You can take a look at more photos of this bike - and of a garage-found Norco Magnum that I fixed up this week, but found too small, and of the old (ca. 1983-4?) black 25" Norco (Shimano 600 Arabesque, etc.) that I let go when leaving Montreal - and which inspired my search for a kick-ass Kawamura frame to build! Flickr set here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/baddest...7627370357669/
As for what I have planned for the Nishiki Prestige (once I deal with that rust), I'm not 100% sure.
Thinking I'll put on some 1980s Shimano 105 SLR brakes and levers, for a couple of reasons. I have the levers, but not the brakes, which I believe come in the appropriate 'old standard' 47-57mm as well the 'new standard'...though I haven't come by any yet. Aero levers, so I can clean up the cable situation a bit - and I hear that these are just great brakes (plus they're more or less contemporaneous with the frame, and have a suitable 'look'). The frame will take either nutted or allen brakes, it seems (the old ones are nutted, but I saw the seller demonstrate that an allen-type modern brake fits).
Wondering about a stem and bars - I think I want a bit of distance, I'm 6'3" and a 60cm (c-to-c) Norco with the same top tube measurement and a decently long stem (110mm?) feels like I could still use a bit more room. Also thinking about cranks - maybe the Sugino VP 110 that would have been in there originally? Or Sugino Maxy, 80s 600 or Dura-Ace? I dunno. Probably won't go with the original Cyclone derailleur set-up unless I get a good deal on a clean FD/RD pair to go with the shifters. Alternately, I might go with 80s 105 or 600 (Arabesque?) And a nicely worn-in Turbo or Avocet leather saddle.
As for wheels, there's a shop in Vancouver (where I live) called Jet Grrl Cycles that comes highly recommended by a friend who is a bike mechanic (and others) - I'm told they build great wheels. I want a truly bomb-proof set to got with the Prestige, and I'm thinking that I can get something with a high spoke-count (36?) laced onto either modern 105 hubs, or - maybe, if I feel rich and become convinced that it might actually be worth it - a set of NOS NIB Shimano 600 EX hubs, including cassette...for $300, I have a line on these in Quebec. But I don't usually feel that rich! Spacing is perfect though, not even the incidental modification of a 130mm hub in a 126 gap. Maybe used. Wolber rims would be my dream (Super Champion Alpine?), but I may concede to modernity, particularly if the wheel-builder feels that might be the way to go (or the cost of Wolbers on ebay scares me off). Any recommendations for what I might do here to keep the ride tops, the look consistent, and the price right? I'm a big guy - 6'3", 250lbs - so I need wheels that'll carry that, sometimes a backpack full of books, without fail.
And away we go...