I cannot claim any responsibility for anything but the bar swap... it is a bicycle that my friend built up (he is a master mechanic). I really like the steps and range on the Shimano 7 speed over the steps on the 8... they are much more even and feel a derailleur gear on a bicycle with 16 inch wheels warrants a massive chain wheel and some really small rear cogs.

Might play with a Shimano 600 crank and a 52 tooth ring tomorrow... just to see what the vintage crank looks like and bump the gearing up a little.

It got a bell and clipless pedals today... really cannot ride without my gimpy left foot securely attached to the pedals.