Things that've happened...

Had to try to adjust the seat post and that was a pain on Sunday the 23rd. Had to bring the bike to a workshop w/ a vice and clamp the seatpost into the vice with the frame upside down facing up. Then lift (really yank) the frame off the seat post. Turns out the seatpost is a 27.2mm seatpost and the seat tube takes a 27.0mm. I found this out by trying the seatpost from my Bianchi Alfana (early 90s model?) and it fit perfectly. Lo and behold that seatpost says "27.0" stamped on it. In the mean time i've sanded maybe a millimeter off the Fuji's seatpost with a power sander and it CAN come out... hopefully I'll pick up a seatpost today.

I went to the Bike Kitchen on Wednesday evening (the 26th) to get some things done and get advice. Orlando was very helpful though I got there a bit late and we worked on the bottom bracket. It definitely wasn't easy to get the lockring and cups unscrewed but we got it done. I emptied the bearings from the cups and cleaned them with new grease. Filled the cups back with new grease and put the bearings back in. Screwing the BB back on was a pain as the threads would get jammed up. Last thing I wanted was to strip the threads on the frame...

So the BB is done and I started getting a parts list. I was recommended a beginning 42t/15t ratio for starting out. I think I might give myself a little more flexibility and challenge by going to 46t/16t...

42/15 = 2.8 and 46/16 = 2.875 so it's just a LITTLE tougher, and I think 46t gives me a little more freedom and options later.

Over this past weekend I ordered a Shimano 105 front brake (used) from ebay and a Bulletproof crankset.

Parts to buy from NYC Bikes now:
Rocketring Chainring (46t)
Blue KMC Chain
Flipflop Wheelset
16 and 17t cogs
Brake Lever

Also picked up "Aircraft Remover" (paint stripper), a Mother's Billet (metal polisher), and a clearcoat spray from Pep Boys. The clearcoat is for wheels so I think it's designed to be a little more resilient to chips, etc. We'll see. Decided not to professionally powder coat as it's another $100. This is my first bike and we'll see how well it does. I 400 grit sanded some parts of the bike where the guides for the shifter/brake cables were held. Then used the metal polisher on the bare metal and it really works well. Gives a good mirror finish to it all.

I think that covers most of it! Psyched but I'm going out of town on vacation for a week. So more later...
(pics to come)