Steve Whitlatch 

Other than the headset issue, the ride is great. Comfortable and quick. It climbs well , just had some wonkier steering every now and then. Once I passed the indexed point it handles turns pretty well. Once I get the headset issue fixed I will let you know a bit more about how I like it. It feels like a quality machine so far.

noglider 

Good work! I like it.

You will need a new headset.

Riding a too-big bike is not hard. Lean it to a side slightly when you straddle it. Or keep one leg up a bit and wrap your knee around the top tube.

Steve Whitlatch 

Thank you. I am doing ok with the size. My old body is having fun with the dismount though. I am sure I will make it on some funny Youtube video. Old man trying to get off his bike.

I was planning on changing the headset for cosmetic reasons. I was hoping to be able to hold off on it for a while though. Now it is pretty much urgent and needs to be replaced asap. So little time left before the snow starts falling.

Steve Whitlatch 

Now that I have replaced the headset, the bike rides great. Seems to handle well. Not as much bounce to it as Columbus SL or 531 Reynolds but feels like a very nice quality ride. I am very happy.

Steve Whitlatch 

As an update, I changed out the derailleurs from Arabesque to Suntour Cyclone as the Arabesque FD was resisting fine tuning and driving me crazy. I put the derailleurs on before the clear coat cured (I thought it was hard as a rock) so now I have indentations on the seat tube exposed. I also replaced the bad headset without the proper tools. Oh boy, I should have just paid the LBS. My makeshift press worked great but the crown race was fighting me pretty hard. I ended up causing damage to the fork paint, but in hidden locations. I dropped a hammer on the top tube causing a paint gash on the top tube, non drive side, thank god. All that hard work, was beautiful, now flawed. Oh well, the bike was written off before I started.

I love the Suntour Barcons, I know I am late to the party. They work great for shifting and are much better than reaching down to the down tube to shift. I was able to get the matching rear Miche hub working again so now both wheels are matching. The bike is really sweet. The bike will never get the attention that my former 1972 Paramount received , but as a rider, the bike fills my needs just fine and if you don`t look for the flaws, looks beautiful. I am very happy with the bike.

nesteel 

Glad to hear it's sorted out and riding well.

Steve Whitlatch 

Well thanks to you the shifting is now awesome. The Cyclone RD you gave me works so much better than the Arabesque. It worked out great because the Cyclone FD I had was the perfect matching generation. I definitely owe you one, or at the very least , you are going to receive some awesome bike karma from this somehow.

branko_76 

Steve Whitlatch , very nice job on the 912. I'm restoring mine and considering painting it. It's been a few years since you painted yours and I'm wondering how the Rust-Oleum paint held up?