Decision day.

Spent yesterday cleaning the frame — a few paint chips, some minor rust, but otherwise excellent condition.

So today I’m off to the bike shop.

Decisions to be made:

The biggest: wheels/tires. Single-speed or three-speed. I’m leaning back to a single-speed now. Though it might be difficult on hills at first, I might be able to grow into it as I ride more and get back strength and stamina. SS is cheaper, easier to maintain, and would need one less cable. Fixed is out. I’d been thinking of a flip-flop hub, but I’m just not into the fixed-gear universe.

Next biggest: The seat. I’m at a loss for choosing a new one and won’t know if it fits until at least a week of riding. Fortunately, I’m built like a fourteen year old boy, so there aren’t the complexities in fitting that most women face.
Issues that are now settled:

Keeping the drop down handlebars and old stem. Changing out won’t be a big deal, and the originals are still pristine.

No repainting. Though it’s not a color I would have picked (though I loved it in 1979), the paint’s in great shape. Spray paint’s not tough enough, and I can’t justify what it would cost to have it repainted and baked at a body shop.

Things that scare me:

Recabling.

Getting the chain line straight.

Why this has been a great project:

I don’t often get the chance to take things apart and put them together, though my brain is drawn to this kind of thing. Spatial reasoning, tactile sense, the beauty of functional design.

More problem solving, especially in working through tradeoffs. Trying to spend as little money as possible, but having something sturdy and useful at the end.

Knowing it will never end. Parts to swap out, adjustments to make, and maybe another conversion in the future. I have an old ten-speed mtb, too….