Thanks for your thoughts, and actually, they do help. I'm definitely leaning in the direction you have suggested, but there is one line of thought that I have started thinking... This bike is equipped with some things I have been unable to find at any price here in Poland, namely the bar-end shifters, the randonneur bars and that front rack (I am partial to the higher rack that can hang panniers, or carry something, and such racks are just not available here). Also, I've been wondering about totally redoing the wheels with a new cassette in the back and a dynamo hub up front, and having two sets of wheels for my bike--whichever it would be. But is it even worth the $75 it will cost to ship the entire bike here, tossing all the rest? To me, asking him to strip all the parts I want is just asking too much from him. It's a tough call....