Originally Posted by
JJam2112
Is it possible to take a 80s steel bike and customize it to make it a cyclocross bike? If so what are things needed to make it like that? Or are there specific cyclocross frames ?
As mentioned, cross bikes from that time are rare. In addition to the ideas above, if you find a quality 700c wheel hybrid from the early 90s(Univega, Schwinn, Nishiki, Bianchi, Trek, etc) they will work well as a starting point for a retro cyclocross or gravel frame. All the geometry from then is going to be different from modern geometry, but its a workable option. This is how I got hooked on gravel and actually how my brother in law did too- my Univega and his Trek had room for 41mm tires, so a smaller cyclocross tire would have fit great with plenty of room for mud.
These hybrids are often relatively inexpensive too- even the ones with higher level tubing.