I'm looking to build up my first FG bike. What's a good frame to start with and where can I find frames (other than ebay)?

anything with horizontal or semi horizontal drop outs, or track ends. seems like everyone around here prefers steel over all other frame materials, too...

I have a mid 80s Fuji Palisade. Would that be good?

the cheapest steel frame with horizontal dropouts you can get...mine was ten bucks.....of course i ended up droppingalmost 400 on it....but the frame can be cheap...you can always upgrade it if you want to

Cheers and beers for Fuji's. The way it steers won't get you any leers or jeers.

MC Ryan_C in the house!

From https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

"It is very desirable that a frame for fixed-gear use have "horizontal" rear dropouts: that is, the slots in the frame that hold the rear axle should run in a more-or-less horizontal direction. This allows you to move the axle back and forth as needed to adjust chain tension. This makes things much easier than if you try to convert a newer bike with vertical dropouts.

The most desirable bikes for fixed-gear conversion are 1970's road bikes. These usually have horizontal dropouts, and usually don't have unsightly shift-lever bosses. Frames of this era also tended to have more generous tire clearance than newer sport bikes, providing more versatility in the choice of tires, and the use of fenders."

So where did everyone find the frames you're using now? ebay? yard sale?

Ebay. Craig's List. God DAMN you, Craig's List.

My current main ride was a stripped track frame from a student not far from where I live. "It was a dark and stormy night..."

What is "Craig's List"?

What's Google?

https://www.craigslist.org/

"It was a dark and stormy night..."
Man I bet you always get rejection letters from publishers with that opening line.

where do you live?

https://www.irocycle.com/
check that one

The sound that a turkey makes?

Habitus: I'm in Baltimore; looks like you're in Seattle. I'm sure there's a lot more options there. Baltimore is not too bike-friendly. There are plenty of good LBS's, but none sell the kind of old, cheap road frames I'm looking for. I'm mystified by all the bike messengers here and where they get their bikes from---I'm guessing they build them up themselves with parts from ebay, or something.

Talk to them, they won't bite. Offer them canned fermented things, and they might tell you where.
But really just talk to people. You can learn neat things.

Try looking in the paper or the old bike shop that sells used bikes. I would recomend a complete bike boom bike (late 70's thru 80's). This way you get a BB and cranks and other parts that fit. All you really need at that point is a rear wheel. Some say you can even use the existing wheel but I would advise a true track wheel. This method usually results in a bike with comfortable geometry and is much cheaper than a piece by piece build. There is also the added bonus of breathing new life into an older but still great frame.

Good Luck

Sorry boys, had to much.....must get to bathroom now............GOOOOOOGLE

Bike shops don't usually sell old cheap frames. If they get a nice old steel road frame, that's probably worth $100 or $150 in good condition. They can't add enough markup to make it worth their while. They will sell used high-end frames that can go for more than a few hundred and some will take old frames and build them up and sell as completes.

Broadway Bicycle in Baltimore City / Fells Point on Broadway seems to service a lot of bicycle messengers.

I bought a Bianchi Pista from them. Many of the Baltimore messengers have the Surly Steamroller or the Bianchi Pista. I didn't look for older used frames there but they are an old shop with many frames.

The area Flea Markets are an option but it would take pure luck to find anything of real quality. I go sometimes hoping to find a Paramount, no luck yet. . .

ebay (as mentioned before) is a good option. I bought my complete Bianchi for $160 on ebay plus $35 shipping. Nice frame with nice components. I only replaced the wheels and bars. Cranks were 170mm Ofmega. Cinelli stem. Seat and seatpost. Nice Phil bottom bracket. Regina chain. I bought wheels and built them up and now I have a really nice fixie. (oh yeah, $20 for bullhorns and tape from chuck's) I rode the bike for a few months as a single speed until I had the funds for my wheels. Hard to beat a great riding $200 single speed.

I watched for bikes for a few weeks and put in low bids on a few. The other ones went higher than I wanted to pay, but this one went for what I wanted to pay. If you are patient with ebay and don't bid on the first bike you see, you can get some good deals. I'm sure people have gotten better deals than I got, but I'm very happy.

My Motobacane Mirage frame was destined for dumpster heaven.
Now it's a work of art. Three other frames were from yard sales.
None cost more than $50.

what about something like goodwill? anyone ever have any luck at something like that?