Originally Posted by
Jon T
The Yellow Jersey Bike Shop in Arlington, WI sells slotted cleats that fit Look and SPD bolt pattern shoes. Putting clipless pedals on a vintage bike is akin to putting disc wheels on a Model T Ford. Sure, they work ok but they just don't look right.
Jon
Yeah, I know about those. I'm pretty sure they only fit Look bolt pattern shoes. I guess i could get a cheap set of 3 bolt shoes just to run with clips/straps, but most modern shoes don't have compatible uppers. For ceremonial rides on the old bikes, I'm more inclined to get some brit style touring shoes.
I'm not really that purist, but I can appreciate where you're coming from. FWIW I do still have traditional pedals on my actual vintage bikes. At this point they are mostly decorations. If they were my main riders, I would seriously consider bastardizing them with clipless. I spent my youth with slot cleats and straps, and I'm not that nostalgic about it. Pedals can always be switched back anyway.
At any rate, the OP's bike is a 1985 Torpado, and clipless pedals are totally appropriate. I spent half that year drilling peoples old school shoes to take Look pedal cleats, and various others types as well.