Furthermore: you could make that thing into a singlespeed (that's what you want, no?) beater, by simply removing both derailers and a few links in the chain. Find an appropriate chainring-sprocket combination, pull the rear wheel back in the stays to tension the chain, tighten the bolts, and voilá, chepest conversion ever.

It'll still weigh as a tank, but a bit lighter tank.

"Beater" is the keyword here. That's why I think you should keep the rack.

haha the rack is stayin regardless if i keep the bike or not. the seat is not leather, but i like that too. im sure there is plenty of things i could do to it. but you guys are right. its freaking heavy.

Pic of the Nishiki (the wheel pictured is one of the new ones).



Super annoying - the fork dropouts don't seem to quite fit the axle (just needs a tiny bit more room)... will probably have to file it down a little. Have to stretch the fork just the tiniest bit to get the axles to fit into the dropouts too - is that Ok?

It's a real clunker, but I think won't be *too* too heavy after I replace the heavy old crankset etc.

By stretch do you mean cold set? If it's only a little difference we're talking about, don't cold set it, just widen it a bit while you place the wheel in the dropouts.

[QUOTE=wyardley Have to stretch the fork just the tiniest bit to get the axles to fit into the dropouts too - is that Ok?
[/QUOTE]

No prob. That's definitely in better shape than that craigslist link. Not a bad find!