thanks, guys and gal.

it does look bigger, doesn't it.?. my perfect size is 22" c-c with a slightly longer top tube. this is a tiny bit bigger than that. but i think the head tube is disproportionately longer than the others, making it look a size or even two bigger. i assume this is what davidson called a 58cm, c-t. but it just doesn't feel quite that big. it is my bigget bike currently. i think i've had only one bike bigger (a 58 univega that was just too big for me).

the stem on this one is really long too. on my first ride, i thought i had made a big mistake not changing it to a shorter stem. but i think i've finally dialed-in everything, making it really rather comfortable.

[MENTION=348240]Bad Lag[/MENTION], i finish tape with electrical tape cut in half, then i cover that with embroidery thread and harden the thread with clear enamel nail polish. i used black thread here. i blame c&v for teaching me that.
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[MENTION=159681]Bianchigirll[/MENTION], your note about stripe orientation reminded me of a saying when i was a boy:

"red, yellow, black, stay away, jack! but red, black, yellow, he's a friendly fellow."

remember that the next time you see either a coral or (more likely) a king snake.