Old Nishiki Project (please help a novice!)

Hello there,

I am very new to all this and in need of a bit of help, my girlfriend recommended this forum to answer my queries.

I recently bought this very old Nishiki Custom Sport (or so I believe it to be...)

Its in need of a bit of TLC, but generally in pretty good condition - and I thought it would be nice as a little project.

I'll get to the point; currently it is fitted with the original 27" wheels which I want to replace with some good quality 700's. I am on a limited budget to do this - so I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good quality, but reasonable wheels? I would like to keep the classic looks of the bike - so nothing too modern looking!

At the same time I want to convert it to single speed so I wanted to know what other bits I will need and what ratios you would recommended?

Many thanks!

loads of threads on here re: wheels, do a search.
If you are swapping to 700c and plan on running a front brake (or 2 brakes if ss) which is probably sensible, then you will need to run a long drop caliper or build some sort of mount extension.
Sheldon's your man: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

personally i'd leave it complete. buy a cheap frame and build that up ;)

I've actually checked the caliper will fit with a 700c and they will - lots of room for adjustment there, but thanks all the same!

Thought it was going to be one of these.
I used to LOVE this bike in 1990.

Jol, is that Nishiki Alien frame just from a picture or would you happen to know the whereabouts of it? If so think the owner would be interested in parting ways with it?

Got it from google images but pretty sure this guy doesn't own it.

http://www.slackers.net/~skoop/nishiki/