The headset was a little loose. I just overhauled it a few weeks ago and I think it came a little loose changing the stem. It was only wobbling at like 25mph and over, and there aren’t any hills around here steep enough that I get up to that speed and I barely ever push that hard on the flats.
That Profile stem is flexy, too. Not sure if that’s the length, construction, angle, alloy, etc. I’m still not crazy about the idea of another one like this. It’ll be beneficial if my ride is a little less unpleasant while I wait to replace it. I taped the bars tonight, was waiting until I had the brake levers where I wanted them. Not even a removable face will keep you from unwrap/rewrap when moving brakes around.
Commentary about my frame - I know it’s fine. You couldn’t have convinced me that until I learned how to ride and how to set it up to fit me. I actually can’t think of a better frame for my size and purpose. It’s not gas pipe, not electro-forged, it’s not light nor is it heavy. As pictured, bike is 27 lbs. The components are what they are. I don’t care. They work and when they stop working, I put working ones on, and 6 speed stuff is cheap. The wheels aren’t super but they’re smooth and quiet and true and when they die I’ll get nicer ones. I updated the shifters, bars, and brakes. The only thing I’m missing out on with this frame is braze ons, but one bottle cage is enough and p-clamps aren’t offensive on a commuter (I don’t think practicality or utility are offensive). I think vintage bikes are sexy and I think vintage bikes that get ridden hard are sexier. Feel the same way about vintage guitars. In both worlds it’s fashionable to some to spend more time polishing, admiring, and boasting the price/value of their hardware. There’s nothing wrong with that. Vintage stuff is great to look at, better to use. How much does anybody want to see a Paramount covered in road grime, sand, grease, and horse crap? (I work in Amish country).

Edit: I‘ll pretty much always put a plug in for old 12 speeds as great commuters.

Edit 2: Last week my RD exploded on my ride home one day. I bypassed it and rode 52/28 for another 6 miles before I flatted. I just pulled another derailer from the parts bin, this one works even a little nicer. I don’t need the drama of figuring out how to replace a vintage Campy RD or a new 11 speed for that matter on short order. I suppose I have a CV “membership” on a technicality since my bike isn’t classic and is just on the cusp of vintage, and it’s certainly not collectible, but I get a lot of bang for my buck. Or 50, in this case.

Edit 3 (final): I do have a ‘73 Fuji Special Road Racer that at the moment am spending a lot more time looking at than riding. It’s a taller frame, 25”. I hope that may satisfy the “frame too small” and “not nice enough” concerns.