Thanks for the replies and keep them coming. Just to clarify a few things. This is a project bike, not meant to be my only bike. The type of riding intended for the bike is 50 - 100 mile rides on dirt roads and poorly maintained county roads in relative comfort and BOBbish style. I don't really expect to fully load the bike with panniers, but a large saddle bag ala Baggins Adam could end up hanging from the Brooks Flyer. I don't plan to take the bike through ravines or boulder fields. I am not interested in MTBs or aluminum. I'm trying to do this on the cheap. I'm pretty settled on the idea of a 1980ish Japanese touring bike for functional, aesthetic and budget reasons.
Thanks,