1- Are there any helpful books, you-tube videos, web-sites that are helpful?

Park-Tool Site, Sheldon Brown, Even here I found most of the people are very helpful if you can keep your questions straight forward/specific and provide pics to help show what your problem/question is.

2 - Where does one start when wanting to do a build-up?

Again peruse this site and see what others have done.


3 - Are parts readily available?

Depends on how much money you want to spend.

4 - Is this a more cost effective way to get on a nice bike?

Probably not.

5 - Am I nuts to even try?

Welcome to the club, but try not to use the word nuts, it get some of the older curmudgeons scrambling around like blind squirrels.