vintage motor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Posts: 1,600
Bikes: 48 Automoto, 49 Stallard, 50 Rotrax, 62 Jack Taylor, 67 Atala, 68 Lejeune, 72-74-75 Motobecanes, 73 RIH, 71 Zieleman, 74 Raleigh, 78 Windsor, 83 Messina (Villata), 84 Brazzo (Losa), 85 Davidson, 90 Diamondback, 92 Kestrel
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John,
1) What exactly is your Rando Dream? There's the classic French style (650B wheels, fenders, etc.), but most people who do actual randonneuring ride racing bikes.
2) There's no need to pay a lot of money for a nice complete bike if you're going to replace many of the parts, and especially if you plan to make frame modifications. I bought a 1974 International frame here on BF for $150, it needed refinishing but I did that at my neighbor's autobody shop for the cost of the paint and a 6-pack. That would have been a perfect candidate for frame modifications.
3) If you're going to do fat tires and fenders, clearance is always an issue. My Raleigh has 700x38 tires, there is room for a front fender but not in the rear. I tried on a set of 650Bx42 wheels but there wasn't enough tire clearance, although 650Bx38 would probably work. My 1972 Motobecane Le Champion has the widest clearances of all my vintage bikes, it will take 650Bx42 wheels + fenders with room to spare.