Everyone, thanks for your comments.
For your specific comments/Qs...
ginger green "sweet where did you buy the frame?"
- From Tom at GVHBikes.com
fmw - "...My next project will be a classic Italian steel bike. That motivated me."
caloso - "...I wish I hadn't looked at the GVH website because they've got a Cinelli, in my size, in a sweet bright blue. It's killing me!"
- fmw, caloso, I predict you will both cave in and end up with a couple of fine Cinellis soon. It is futile to resist, I couldn't
classic1 - "Just one thing - get some bloody white tape on."
Pink_Ninja - "rather in-your-face colours, aside from that its pretty nice"
- classic1, Pink_Ninja, what's with the Aussie dislike of red/yellow? It's an Italian bike for heaven's sake. Although, I should have guessed, my sister's been living in Melbourne/Darwin for over a decade and I get the same from her too
cyclezen " what is that, a 60 cm? ..."
- It is a 58c-c. From my racing days on I've always ridden smaller frames. Ideal sizing for me is supposed to be 60c-c, but I much prefer the lighter smaller frames, shorter wheelbase and especially the increased front wheel stability when compensating with a longer 13/14 stem.
ginger green "I'ts 99% beautiful... I"m curious about your choice of saddle? Also what kind of cages are those?"
Olebiker "Gorgeomous!! But let's talk about that saddle...."
mikeoverly "That is gorgeous, rufvelo. Now uncover that saddle so we can see the yellow Selle Italia Flite"
bbattleo "Yeah, what's up with that? You trying to tease us?"
- I know, I know, I get a lot of grief for my choice of saddle(similar one on the Vitus above). Agree they're not too good looking. I'm very conservative about saddles not wanting to 'risk anything'
In 90-91 I tried and settled on Avocet gel, bought four of them, also covered with a gel pad. I've since done about 80k miles on them. Saddle is supported by my favorite seat post, SunTour SuperbePro, also early 90s microadjust type. I just have so many spares sitting in the basement! Bottle cages are Elite.