Yeah, $500 is steep but cash is king my brotha! There are a lot of shops that are being snobs about stuff. A LOT of them. But most are willing to negotiate a bit.

As the saying goes: Good Bikes Aren't Cheap. Cheap Bikes Aren't Good.

When building bikes from the ground up you are gonna pay in either money OR time. Time hunting for the right part that's the right size for the right price.

I've got well over $1,000 into my latest ride and I'm not done yet...

The TA crank is probably worth what you payed for the frame. If it were a size bigger, I would beat you over the head for it. It will make a sweet conversion, as long as you can work around the french threading. Velo-Orange will be your friend, especially if you have a french threaded bottom bracket.

chainline has nothing to do with the frame, it depends on the rear wheel, crank, and bottom bracket. Also, "track specific" frames will have track geometry and won't be drilled for brakes and will generally make a miserable road-going fixed-gear for a first-time rider.

OP, next time you are checking out a used frame, look for cracks in the paint around the head tube. Specifically, check for cracked paint on the top side of the top tube and down tube directly behind the head tube lugs because this usually indicates a crash. If you don't know how to look for these things, do not buy used stuff off craigslist because you are going to get screwed sooner or later.

This is definitely a mistake I don't want to make twice. I'll keep my eyes peeled for those signs. Thanks.

i swear, no one researches anything ever.

Road bike bottom bracket spindles are longer than track spindles. But also road bikes generally have 130mm rear dropout spacing. Track bikes have 120mm rear dropout spacing.

That's a function of the fork, not the frame.

That being said, if he's going to replace the BB and the cranks and chainring...then all he's got is a used frame, fork, and headset. Everything else will have to be purchased a-la-carte.

My point is that there are so many track/fixed/SS frames being manufactured these days (seems that every major and manufacturer makes one). Just start there, ride today and eliminate the wait and high expense. THAT is good advice for a first-time rider.

Save the project for your #2 bike.

you're assuming he'll be using spacers; he won't. no one would use spacers in this case-- 5mm isn't much for a rear triangle to move.
in this case, chainline isn't an issue.

Build your own bike! It's way more satisfying!