Yeah, it was kinda weird building up a brand new frame with new parts. The closest I've come to this before was building up that Raleigh Professional frame that I picked up last year (someone had powder-coated the poor thing, but it looked brand new, just nameless). This was better though because the frame was already designed for real clearances, so fitting fenders (a must in Oregon) was not anywhere near as challenging as on a tight race frame like the Raleigh Pro (which also doesn't have a drilled chain stay bridge). I tried pretty hard to get new pieces that looked like classic ones, or were copies of classic ones. The VO bits have pretty decent design heritage, even if they're new in an of themselves. I'm digging the sort of MAFAC style cantilever brakes.
So that saddle is a Cardiff Mercia, sold by Rivendell, and it's a darn close copy of a Brooks B-17 Special. I had it right next to a brand new honey standard Brooks B-17 (from the Raleigh), and they are exactly the same shape everywhere but in the nose of the saddle. The Cardiff is ever so slightly longer there. The quality of the thing is rather amazing. The leather appears to be as good as the Brooks (keep in mind this is a 2008 Brooks), but it also has a thick layer of fabric laminated to the bottom of the seat. It also comes pre-punched and laced with bit of leather to tie the bottom of the saddle. Grant @ Riv says it starts out softer than a B17 and breaks in faster (also in case this thing makes anyone mad, the Rivendell people did try to convince me to just buy another Brooks). Mine is definitely stiffer than a Brooks to begin with. I removed the leather tie to loosen it up a bit. Three days in the saddle and it's starting to feel good. Has a 5 year warranty on it, which is pretty amazing IMHO. I love Brooks and I will buy more. But I think competition is a good thing and this one deserves some praise.
The leather chain stay protector is from Velo Orange, as well. It's cheap insurance, and it looks good.
Yeah, the rear stays haven't been cut yet. I cut the front ones, but the rears weren't in the way of anything and I wanted to ride to work so I got them on as fast as I could (still took ~3 hours).
Shellac of the bars is happening in a few minutes!
I'll post some photos of the B-17 vs the Mercia.
Cheers!
Karl