I smoke,drink,cuss,go to bars,play with girls and eat whatever I damn well please.If I'm lucky,I'll die with a cig in one hand and a pork rib in the other.SHHHHH! I don't wear a helmet...I have a bunch of those funny biking hats.....

The bike gets torn down twice a year.All bearings cleaned,repacked and replaced where needed.Still has the same headset cups/bearings,BB cups and wheels.The rear hub cracked about a year after I bought it and the LBS I bought it from replaced it for free.It gets a new chain every 3000 miles or so.A new free wheel every every 2-3 chains.New chainrings every 4-5 chains.I put teflon lined cable housings on it a few years ago and they still work great.Been running kevlar panaracers on it the last few years(not much choice these days).When the back gets worn,the front goes on the back and a new tire goes on front.

This weekend it is getting torn down and getting new chain,freewheel and new chainrings.It will also be getting it's first sealed BB(68x127-UN54).The wheels get trued when something doesn't look right.Keeping the grease clean pays off in spades.The chain gets cleaned/lubed every weekend(5 min) and the bike get a cleaning(30 min).

I'm getting ready to build new wheels for it here soon(700's).Deore or 105 hubs,triple butted spokes and I have not decided on a rim yet.I'm tired of having 3-4 tires to choose from,and 2-3 of them are junk.

I'm an automotive machinist by trade,so I learned along time ago that keeping things clean and the grease dirt/grit free works well.

LBM...you can build a nice bike for $600,IF your not in a hurry and look around for the deals.Stay with the middle of the road stuff(I like Shimano Deore/105 stuff).I'd look for a complete 70-80 luged CroMo touring bike with a good frame/fork,good crank,brakes and levers.Put your money into some wheels and drivetrain.Get something thats all there so it doesn't nickle and dime you to death.Then as you save some money you can update the little stuff.Have fun!