Finally, I completed the build-up of my 2005 Saluki (didn't want to peak too soon!). Had the frame and fork painted the same custom Brandywine color as John Price's Saluki. Built it up as a Franco-Japanese (or Nippo-French) randonneur, using the following mix of vintage NOS French and new Japanese parts:

Nitto Grand Raundoneur (sic) handlebars
Brooks leather bar wrap (Honey)
Nitto Pearl stem
Shimano Ultra headset
MAFAC 2000 levers and calipers (courtesy of Theo in Cyprus via eBay!)
Nitto Jaguar seat post
Brooks B17 Champion Special saddle (Honey)
Gilles Berthoud saddle bag
Huret Jubilee shifters (first generation)
2x TA water bottle cages (black with gold plastic heads)
TA Carmina Triple crankset (46-34-22)
TA pedals Huret Jubilee rear derailleur (long cage)
Shimano HG Hyperglide 7 speed cassette (13-14-15-17-19-21-23)
SRAM chain
Simplex Super LJ front derailleur (unfortunately, the matching Huret Jubilee front derailleur didn't have enough swing to accommodate the triple chain rings - bummer, it's a jewel!)
Shimano Deore LX hubs
Rigida Sphinx 650B rims
Panaracer Col De La Vie Randonnee 650B tires

Pictures come from the shake down ride on the Colonial Parkway, between Jamestown and Williamsburg along the James River (during the annual "Pedal the Parkway" event when motor traffic is banned for half the day), and in Colonial Williamsburg (leaning up against the Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop). Bike rides like a dream.

Now I just need to get a pair of racks and Honjo hammered fenders...

Cheers,

Ian Kersey

Williamsburg, VA

IKersey@aol.com