Hi WNG. Thanks for the wake up call. I decided right after the post to keep it original. I spotted this bike years ago by the color in a large heap of bike frames at a metal scrap yard while dumping an old clothes dryer. They sold me the frame for $5.00. It had the 105 RD and shifters still attached, but nothing else. I knew the pedigree and color scheme.

Being a dad and such, I didn't have the dough to collect all the right parts, so I cobbed 27" Araya rims, Shimano Altus FD, Pro Max brakes, etc. I transferred my B-17 from the Panasonic 500 that I had been riding for too many years and "viola" I have a really great riding road bike.

According to my daily log, I have a little more than 21,000 miles on the bike. Yep, changed the cranks, cassette, plastic derailleur cogs, chains, etc. as they wore out, but it keeps on gliding like the wind. I can honestly say I've had no further GAS for a different bike in years.

I hope to keep logging miles long after I am told to stop by my friends and family.