How do you build your vintage frames?

[moonlite]

There aren't many bikes that didn't get a tweak or 2 in their life.
you want period correct, go for it, you want catalogue spec, go for thats if you want to. To me though, catalogue spec is just what they maker decided based on cost, so why build the bike as the accountants intended, build it as the owner intended instead. If you are the owner now, build it however you dang well want, it's your bike.

Yes -- not only would you immediately set about changing the bike as soon as you got it home (remove reflectors, fit fave seat, maybe remove shifter windows), but you'd keep on tinkering and adding bits as you went. Catalogue spec didn't survive for long in use

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Not one of my bikes has remained in "stock" configuration. I am not at all concerned with following manufacturers specs, there is no point to that for me. If they need improvement, I improve them. I build my bikes for me, not history. I don't need a museum at my house, I can read catalogs and magazines for history.
Spec is a funny thing, builds would change throughout the year with availability of components, often the bike delivered to the shop was different than the catalog. Even the pros were not riding catalog bikes. In some instances, different tubesets, even different manufacturers, were hiding under the livery.
I also am not arrogant enough to think this is a "One way...the only way.." type situation. If you want to do a catalog build that is fine for your bike.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I also am not arrogant enough to think this is a "One way...the only way.." type situation. If you want to do a catalog build that is fine for your bike.

That sums it up for me, Matti. No one died and put me in charge. Your bike, do as you please.

 

[novocaine]

That sums it up for me, Matti. No one died and put me in charge. Your bike, do as you please.

who we got to kill to get you in charge? I know a guy, who knows a guy.

 

[benjabbi]

I just like trying stuff that was well beyond reach back in the day. My bikes don't really stay the same unless I have decided on a theme like full M900 for example.
Basically the way I see it, the right way to build a bike is how you want to. It's your bike, if someone else thinks it has the wrong cable crimps well, that's a them problem.