It was sad, yet with so much hope! I was to be (and still am) the steward of this redemption.

Look at it. Poor thing!



Serial Number along with catalog scans confirms the year 1982. Also, very dirty.



Nice 9-speed era Shimano 105 brakes would actually fit the bike aesthetically (nice finish) while offering much improved braking performance over the original Aero Gran Compe 300 calipers.



Thankfully, the original Superbe FD was still there...



...as was the original Sugino Aero Mighty (top of the line) crankset!



The Deore RD is nice, but not appropriate for this application.



A big smile and sigh of relieft: the original wheels were in tact and in workable shape. Superbe hubs beneath all that dirt!!!