OK - this is the post to end the post. I am not going to do it. I went down to my LBS to pick up a part I needed - the new mechanic was Russian (Jackie had given the regular guys a day off). His English is a little better than my Russian, so I am pushing the solution into next week.

I can't blame him. He was assembling bikes and hoping no one would ask him questions that he didn't understand.

I am going either full threadless, or threaded. Parts availability will determine the path.