Any question answered...

Sounds as rare as rocking-horse shit

Sounds like something a machine shop could knock up in 10 minutes, even if there's no off the shelf option
http://apexfasteners.com/fasteners/screw-machine-products/spacers-and-standoffs/standoffs/female-female-standoffs/round-standoffs

An elegant solution! Thanks for the help, mdcc.
Would be preferable to have gears and not barf my lungs up on the hills.

.

These could work? Old cannondales have the same thing.

http://www.cannondale-parts.de/epages/61764971.mobile/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61764971/Products/A095A

That looks promising, thanks russ.

Otherwise could you not just run a long threaded shaft through the fame and use a pair of nuts on cable bosses, instead of the usual bolts?

Absolutely, could do that, thanks. Whether I get round to it, on what was meant to be a dirt cheap spares-box build, is another matter. That'll learn me not to buy bright shiny things on eBay.

Long threaded screw to hold bosses together and also epoxy glue between bosses and frame (sand off paint/anodising first). Dirt cheap and reliable. Final solution!

Yep, gonna go with the threaded screw/shaft and some nuts. Ta for all the suggestions.

any bike shops in walking proximity from NW1 (mornington crescent) who'll be able to cut fork steerer? Giant shop is a bit further to walk from/to office.

Just buy a hacksaw?

have one do I need spacial blade? Dont have a guide .. 2 stems?

^ see, a noob!

If you're careful, with a wet rag on the floor to catch carbon resin, wear a mask, and slowly and gently cut the steerer with the old two stem solution.

A vice is greatly recommend for this (carbon blade aren't necessary if you're careful).

considering buying a frame with a bent fork, considering that this probably occurred in an accident what else should I look at on the frame to ensure it's otherwise ship-shape?

Carbon?

Yes: http://www.parktool.com/product/carbon-saw-blade-csb-1

Look at the top tube and down tube in the headtube junction, check to see any ripple, deformation, crack etc.

Luhged can be hard to tell as it could crack along the line of the lug, so cleaning this and a q-tip for close inspection.

Lastly, even if it look alright, putting a new fork in and wheels will show the clearance between the tyres and downtube, it should not be very close to the downtube (unless jys those old track frameS).

Steel?

Check under the top and down tubes (where they meet the head tube) for a ripple or bulge.

Assuming the forks are steel, you might be able to bend them back.

I've cut carbon steerers with 24tpi blades and lived

Wrap a bit of electrical tape round the bit you're cutting.

Specialized saw blade where a regular iron saw would do?

CSB

Am I right in thinking that the brake pads that come with new Ultegra groupsets are now carbon-specific? I have alloy rims. These aren't safe to use are they? Any recommendations on what to replace them with? Also, are the OEM ones of use to others?

for carbon or alu rims?

Swissstop or Koolstop.

@Sumo Alloy.

@Scilly.Suffolk These? Will they fit in Ultegra shoes?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash-pro-green-alloy-rim-brake-pads/

Yes on both counts.