Originally Posted by michaelwc

As the title states I'm thinking of starting a project. It's kinda hard to explain the purpose of the bike aside from it being quick and looking awesome so I'll describe the look I'm going for:

PC white or cream frame with black markings for manufacturer and model if it's worth displaying them.
Black hardware. everything black. If I have to spray paint it I will.
Honey brooks saddle and matching leather bar tape.

As this probably won't be done before riding season '10 it's mostly in research and planning phase now. But my question is on the type of frame I should be looking for. I want something lightweight with decent tubing and some interesting lug work internal cable routing would be a huge plus. The lugs don't have to be overly ornate like some Nervex but a simple point would be fun. Really, I need to know a good frame that I won't desecrate by stripping and powdercoating it with non-repro decals. So yeah, banged up and what not. I like the idea of italian steel but i don't want to pay through the nose for a frame that i'm going to strip but at the same time I do want quality. What frames should I be looking for?