Uncle uncle, that was a very helpful analogy. I'm still having trouble putting my full confidence into this thing, though. Maybe it was from my time working in an operating room and seeing the end result of catastrophic failures. My trip to the LBS didn't help when the mechanic was very reluctant to advise me to ride the damn thing because of liability reasons; although he did elude to that exact notion. He did say that he wouldn't recommend I tour on it but felt certain it wouldn't collapse in on itself tomorrow. That's the most straight forward he would get with me, haha.

Here's some pictures of the rest of the thing. The fluorescent lights in my uh, workshop, make for awful photos but the paint and decals are in amazing shape and I love Puch's headbadge. Aside from the tell-tale signs of an entry level road bike; claw adapter, stem shifters, etc, it feels superior in every way over my Univega (aside from braking). I think she might be getting a new saddle, grips, and maybe a set of alloy wheels. I had to adjust the brakes and rear derailluer when I got her but everything else feels well lubricated and well maintained! Despite the dents I feel pretty happy riding it.