1. if that bike was custom built for your dad, don't hack at it. honestly, in about 6 months you'll want a real track bike, and about 6 months after that, you'll want a road bike too. the coolest thing to do (since it wouldn't be that expensive) is to fix up your dad's bike when you have some spare cash. new brake cables, polish that thing til it looks brand new. you/ your dad will be stoked, since its a pretty bike besides. please believe me, in about a year you'll want this. you'll be bummed if you wreck it by cutting off stuff or tossing out usable road parts (especially since french threaded parts for road or track will be harder to find). i can't stress enough that, unless you like hate your dad, you'll be way happier keeping the bike as a road bike. that is a very cool bike, keep it.
2. the ellliot smith cover art for figure 8, for those who care, is a picture of elliot in front of a store called "Solutions" Audio-Video Repair. For anyone in los angeles, its located at 4334 W. Sunset Boulevard, which is just south of the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue.
