thx for the help junkyard, those links are really helpful. i'll keep posting updates to the bike in case you're interested along the way. i found a certified frame painter so that's my next step. luckily, as you mentioned, i did save everything cause i figured there would be hangups.
i'd really like to salvage the old thumb shifters too because i like to feel the shifting, stupid as that may sound.
anyway, i'll keep posting and probably put some pics out too.