Mercian build

Got hold of an '81 Mercian touring frame/forks with a record headset on eBay. I'd budgeted for a respray, but to be honest the paint is pretty good (midnight blue). Anyway, perhaps i'll have it sprayed in a light blue at some point.
The real question is what do I hang off of it?
It'll probably be geared (shock horror), as I have a fixed and a singlespeed already.

Going to put a Brooks B17 in honey and honey tape, but that's as far as i've got.

I could do with some help on the stem/bars/post. Silver to be in keeping with the colour scheme. I like the look of Nitto stuff, but finding any is proving difficult. Also, any suggestions on which ones? Any other similar makes?

Suggestions on gears and wheels too if you like.

Cheers.

current projects thread might garner more help.

sorry if i missed something.

Have a good look at the deraillieurs that hilary ('hilarystone') was selling earlier in the week ... the Suntour stuff was nice as well as the obvious Campagnolo and Shimano.

I'll check them out, ta.

Mercian, lovely bike had mine for a while, the only bike I have. Its a 1978, orange, using the original bars and stem, white tape on lower part of bar, so a lot of metal showing. I converted it to fixed, but kept all the braze-ons, its solid hasnt let me down and prefer it over my first fixed, maybe because i built this one up. Been thinking about a brooks b-17 (honey) as running with a selle san marco (black) at the mo. mavic open pro, miche primato hub, Got a bog standard front brake caliper as needed long reach as it was running 27"s before. Paint is good with good detailing, normal chips for age but i dont want it looking new hence no respray. Needs a good clean now though

Should say: check ALL of hilary's sale threads. He has a nice Brooks professional that would suit your bike, Its black, though. Also was selling some good brakesets recently, and wheels.

I expect a discount next purchase, hilary ;)

I'll be heading to Bristol at some point soon, so perhaps i'll be able to see what Hilary has. Good tip.