i started on my new miele project today after work... first thing was to ditch the small chain ring on the miche crank. Upon reassembling, the retaining bolts seemed a little loose on the crank with out that smaller ring... I'm guessing i can grab a shorter set at my LBS??

And short of taking a grinder to the down tube, is there any other way to get rid of the frame tabs for the downtube shifters that i ditched today??

shorter ring bolts, grinder. you answered your own question.

I converted a miele as well (see link in my sig). Ask for bmx chainring bolts from your lbs. In regards to cable stops, I used a grinder to take them off. Wasn't pretty and I got a bit of the frame in one spot. I ended up keeping the downtube shifter bosses. ILm looking for a new frame/complete bike anyways but the miele conversion has been good to me for the last few years.

thanks guys...

Take it to frame builder, and have them heat up the frame a bit, the brazing will melt and the stops will pop right off. Saves you having ugly grinder marks on your frame, and the hatred of everyone in the 'classic and vintage' forum

single speed chainring bolts = $10, even at your usual "rip-off" LBS

nope, they will still hate you

And the paint will bubble and burn...

I suppose if you worked really quickly and shielded the frame as much as possible - heating only the stops - you would minimize the damaged paint, but unless you are repainting careful work with a grinder is going to require less touch-up.

ya the vintage guys in toronto have already given me some dirty looks hahaha