A lurker no longer, this is my first post. This forum is both entertaining and instructive!

I have a 1989 Mariposa touring bike. It's been in storage for quite a while, 10+ years or so, but I hauled it out and it performed flawlessly!

Last week I attended one of the Park School courses and discovered the 6-speed freewheel could only be removed with this old French Maillard Heliocentric tool. You'll see in the pic that the lockring is distorted (not during removal), and it threaded back on, no prob. Nevertheless, I don't want to get stuck.



Questions:

1. Can I update the rim/hub/freewheel to a freehub such that the downtube friction shifters and FD will retain functionality? Should I stick with 6-speed or go with more cogs?

2. Any recommendations of hub/rim/freehub combo which modernizes without massacring the vintage look? I'm not purist zealot, but neither will I settle for cheesey/tacky.

3. I've mounted a set of Challenge Strada Bianca 700 x 30c tires. They fit with room to spare even between the old dia-compe brakes (without fenders). Is this a consideration in updating rims/hubs?

Mariposa is back in business and they were quite tickled when I sent them pics of my X-Mas bike! Back in 1989 I paid $3K. Now it's like $5K-$6K for this custom bike. Mine is a size 54.5 cm.

Appreciate any input!

Thanks

bob