Thanks for all the input. Valuable input always draws more questions...

I'm narrowing the field and finding that I need to give modern steel (in a classic form) a second look. I still like the ride it hard and put away wet aspect of ti, but it would have to be the right bike.

I may be inquiring regarding backlogs for the local builders. Though, I hear rumors of multi year waits for some, and that would be more than I could bear. 953 and other stainless is spot on but probably beyond my means. Does anyone have any experience with a DeSalvo classic ti road bike? Is a standard custom modern steel frame normally in the $2-$2.5k range? Any experience working with Anderson?

I did get a little laugh from the comment that I don't understand 80's bikes. I'm deciding which one of my half dozen 80s rigs to take out this evening.