I have been away from this forum for a while but have enjoyed reading this thread. WRT
#1710 and later, I still like my Arvon1 touring bicycle shown in
Arvon Cycles "Expedition Grade" Touring Bike with S and S Couplings but with a new (Arvon-built) front rack. Those 48-spoke PW hubs have really stood the test of time as have the Sun Rhyno-lite rims (48 spoke 4X laced). Naturally the Brooks saddle is a blessing in terms of comfort.
At the age of 67 I finally completed a tour from Perth WA to Peterborough SA on this bicycle (July 7 - Aug 8 and 2700 km). Thus I can now say that I have used this bicycle to tour between Perth and Sydney.
Not too shabby for a Type 1 diabetic (since 1964) doing self-supported touring. 
My rotator cuff issue is fixable thru surgery,, but at my age I will leave it as-is. The torn ligament does not negatively affect my legs which are the power for my touring. Such is life 
More trips in OZ planned next "winter" (aka July-August). Unfortunately my job (which I really love and do not need to do because I am financially independent) gets in the way of lots of bicycle touring.