Prowler, would love to see pics of your bike. Really nice to hear how happy you are with yours as well. I have bicycle fever now. I'd love to tear mine down this winter for new paint and a few things. Keep going back and forth between original and kind of a resto mod. A black paint job with polished lugs, and brifters sounds nice, but i don't mind the down tube shifters as much as I thought I would. As fas as the bentpushrod handle goes, yep old school engines. I'm into cars, and use that handle in other forums, so it was easier for me to remember here.
Thanks Usazorro, if it wasn't for my wife I probably wouldn't be riding. I'm grateful for her, and her encouragement.