I am converting a 20 year old Eddy Merckx 10-speed to fixed gear bike. It is old enough that the shift levers were screwed onto an assembly on the down tube. With the levers taken off the bike, the down tube assembly looks really ugly. Any recommendations for plugging these up?

Neecie

some guy/gal with welding tools to plug up the holes

You could file/cut the assempbly thingies off and sand it down 'til it's smooth, or not sand and just wrap that part of the frame (or, better yet, the whole frame) in old tubes or electrical tape. Or you could screw something else in to make it fun, like, I don't know, lights or something.

1. get a propane torch from the hardware store

2. apply liberal amouts of high heat.

3. pop 'em off with a screwdriver or wrench.

4. touch up paint.

Um... using a torch is a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD idea.
heating steel makes it weak, you don't want to apply more than necessary. I'd stick with a hacksaw or a file and then just tape it up with electrical tape or those funny tube protectors that come on kids bikes... those seem to be making a comeback.
~ONi

Hey now. Not all heat is bad, how do you think they got brazed on there in the first place?

The torch method is very effective, but rather destructive to the paint surfaces. Heat up the braze-on, not the tubing, until it is glowing cherry - then pull it off with some pliers. Then make a couple passes over the area with the torch and hit it with a fine metal brush to get the brass off while its hot. Oila, naked and beautiful.

The propane torch will not get hot enough. You should get, or find someone with a oxy-acetylene torch.

You could also put STI cable stops on there, possibly mount some of the Japanese bike bells, possibilities are endless.

-Pete