Take gomango up on 7400 if you want period correct, or Chorus 10 if you want modern (I'd go Chorus 10). I really love the look of classic steel with modern Campy.

Ultegra on that bike is a poor choice IMO.

PM sent.

The only problem with 7400 is that it's past it's life expectancy.

Go Campy 10s.

Id love to go campy. If I did I would want it to be full, including the cassette. After some digging it seems that there are numerous people running 10s shimano cassette with campy RD without issue. Any advice with that?

No argument on Campy 10 from me.

I have it on six bicycles atm.

As for DA 7400, I still have a pristine DA gruppo on my SLX.

Tough as nails, for sure.

Only reason I ask is because for the time being I want to get it on the road and shimano is waaay cheaper.

DA 7400 is amongst the best they ever made, but try getting a new brake hood, never mind UG cassettes. That's why Campy 10s is cheaper in the long run.

Good points.

On the right bike though, it fits like a glove.

Doesn't hurt that I hoarded DA bits either.

It's all I raced on and it was in ample supply.

No 7400/7410 hate from me. I raced it instead of Campy 30 years ago, too. I've just found that modern Campy works even better, and is cheaper in the long run.

It also looks very nice in the alloy versions on a steel bike.

This question is for all of you with OA experience: Is it possible to either tape off the decals on the chain stays so I can soak it, or does OA work well by dabbing it where the rust spots are? Id like to get the rust off but not ruin the decals.

Do NOT use OA on that frame, it will ruin the decals and the paint. There is no cure for rust on the chrome.

That's why I asked. I didn't think it would be good for it but worth a shot. I guess I will address the rust later on when I do a full tear down, respray, and rechrome. The rust is marginal in my opinion but as it sits on the coffee table it's all I can notice. The dropouts look to have the worst damage as expected from the repeated wheel removal and installations chipping away at the chrome.

In other news, got the PM from gomango and considering going that route, as well as a CL find in North Carolina for a group set. Im still leaning towards Shimano just due to ease of wheel swaps later on vs getting a Campy cassette and having to search out a wheel for it. Going through some of threads here I really like the modern wheelsets on some of them and if it's done right I think it would look really good, as well as perform very well. Either way I am sure I will be happy with whatever I decide on, and just happy to be on the road with it. I am moving soon, closer to work, and thinking heavily of riding to and from work with this bike.

I know the progress is slow, so for those wanting a build thread right-meow, I apologize.

What's everyone's opinion on Campy Veloce groups? Link to said group...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/181210281852

Ive set my max bid fairly low, and for the price I think this is a great buy. I know its no Chorus and its been compared to the 105 but I think this would do perfectly for my needs until I piece together the perfect set.

I think Veloce/Centaur/Athena is an excellent way to go (as stated previously).

Chrome pitting is generally a lost cause, however I have had good luck using brass wool and simichrome. It won't be perfect, but it can be better than it was. You got a great price on a rider frame...set it up as a rider and don't sweat the patina. I have bikes that are beautiful, and honestly it's a pain because it makes me paranoid about using them.

Dura Ace 7400 makes sense to me as a group on this bike because, at the time, it was the best group available, it doesn't look completely awful and most of us switched to Shimano during this period. Modern Shimano makes no sense to me on this bike - it's butt ugly, it's not really any cheaper than Campy, it would look less appropriate and I don't think it works as well. Modern Shimano looks terrible on classic steel.

Thanks for the .02. Im currently the highest bidder on that groupset, just looking for a set of wheels now since it only has 3 hours left. Fingers crossed it works out.

I feel like I cant really go wrong between DA and Campy. Ya, DA would suit it better and keep it more "historically accurate" so I'm looking into my options there. I like to read and absorb as much info as I can before pulling the trigger.

You'll need an Italian BB with this group, get a Centaur, not Veloce. Centaur has a better interface for the BB tool.

I have an italian BB already, so that's a non issue.

For minor rust on chrome, bronze wool is a good suggestion. I use it with wd40 as a lubricant. You'll be surprised how much can be wiped right off. For tougher spots I use my thumbnail as a scraper. For isolated rust spots on painted areas I start with a tiny brass wheel brush on a Dremel to remove loose stuff. Then use a rust converter primer with a small brush, and a couple of coats of well-matched touch up paint. Use 1000 or so grit wet sand paper between coats of you want to smooth it out a bit. That should be fine and dandy for a rider.

Ive got some experience in the painting/wet sanding department. I use 1000, 1500, then 2000 followed by a random orbital with a mild rubbing compund. I've used the copper steel wool, dremmel, and other methods of rust removal or minimalizing. With chrome plating this thin, I am hesitant to do all of those. I'm more focusing my attention to getting it on the road and logging miles before I do any cosmetic stuff.

Barkeeper's Friend is available at grocery stores and contains a mild OA. Make a paste with it, and spot apply for few minutes before gently wiping off with a very moist sponge or rag.... Repeat as necessary.

My vote is for a modern Campy gruppo (8-10 spd).

Purchased the front and rear derailleur off ebay earlier this week, campy centaur for super cheap. Not what I was wanting but it'll do for now. Also purchased a rear Chorus brake, just looking for a front one.

So now all I need is a front brake, stem, bars, ergos, cassette, and possibly wheels. Is anyone has any thing laying around theyd like to sell, pm me for my number!

Pics of wheels for 100 on cl...

Just an update...

Looking good Billy Ray.

Thanks! Itching to get it done.

Ordered a few more parts in the past few days. Also got in my 10 speed Record Ti cassette and slapped it on the free hub. The rear drop out appears to have already been set to 130mm so it just slipped right on with no issue and stops about mid-way through the drop out. Looks to BARELY have enough space between the chainline and the chain stay so we'll see how that plays out.

Coming in in the next few days...
-Chorus bottom bracket 103mm, the current was 111 and pushed the chainlne too far out..
-3TTT '84 Record Stem
-3TTT Mod Mex ErgoPower Dual Handlebars. Not vintage, but perfect for what I want to do. Dual drooves for the the campy ergos.
-Black and Yellow cloth tape. Playing with the idea of doing a Harelquin wrap on the bars, but we'll see.