Okay - I lean towards "neoclassical" to describe new or newish bikes built with steel, lugs, and more traditional componentry. In an earlier off-list message to me, Dale noted that sometimes "neo" has been used for less-than wonderful movements - but I would note that neoclassical was the term used to describe the works of French dramatists rediscovering classical verities in drama.
A subdivision would be "eclectic," such as bikes that use a blend of traditional and newer technologies - depending on which particular technology works best for that application. The other subdivision would be "pure classicist," such as a new bike with pure vintage NOS parts ...
For older bikes that have been modernized, I think simply "classic" will do as a description, though "working classic" or even "rolling history" is good, too. In some ways, I think the older bikes kept in service with a mix of original and replacement parts are more interesting to me than box-stock machines - heresy, I know, but I like the blend of old and new.
Vaguer terms which would still be helpful would include "traditional" or "a classicist's bike." Of course we would know that much of the time that translates to "durable," or "reliable," or "repairable," or even "sustainable."
Russ Fitzgerald
Greenwood SC
rfitzger@emeraldis.com