What I did was a lot of fun. I already had a frame and decided I couldn't spend more than 30,000 yen ($254.71 US) on a build. The fun part is buying good reliable equipment ensuring you come in under your set budget. I set up a spreadsheet and started studying the bike shops for bargins and asking friends if they had any second hand parts for sale. My best friend and training partner here is a bike machanic and he guided me through the process.
The complete bike came in at 29,428 yen. ($249.86 US) This includes absolutely everything including the grease.
I put sh1ty stickers, spoke cards, and a plastic clip on fender on it just to annoy all the purists. It's exactly how I wanted it. Sorry the spoke cards and fender aren't on it in the picture.

Yes it's true I could have bought a whole new bike for that but I don't give a rat's.
Steve