thanks much t-mar! i'm totally confused if not buzzed about the bike. why is a japanese built frame in canada the same year that the company is making domestics? the stickers are in english, maybe its a model transition hangover gaspipe rig? i suppose that makes it an uncommon/common frame, an oddball but not special. anyone have suggestions for this freak? i picture it as a nice steel fixed wheel commuter, & the rear dropouts are long/slanted, making the conv. easier. are the hubs worth rebuilting 700 alloy rims to? the cottered crank has to go too, & i have no clue really how to replace it, but shimano shall be...