Dirtdrop,

I like your style and your approach is one that I would like to follow. Probably all the parts from each of your bikes are mostly interchangeable and you can find great deals here an there to put the bike together in a fun way ... and have a great story to tell. The heck with all the pedigree ...

However, I would like to start with a real quality, albeit old, and correctly sized frame. I figure my weight will be putting alot of pressure on that frame!

Also, I will have to rely on public opinion to figure out what is a good part and what is bad. For example, I don't even know if my existing Type 500 Weinmann brakes or my old Simplex shifter and ATAX bars from the Peugeot would be of any value either for their quality (or because the do/don't fit).

It does seem like public opinion here leans away from the early-mid 80's Peugeots, especially with the Carbolite 103 frames.