I have a slightly newer (1980) Giro Touring, whith very similar features to your frame. I don't agree that yours is the sport model, since all the rack eyeleted ones I've seen are newer than 1980, which means they were designed to Ten Speed Drive's spec, not Woodrup's.
I would not make this a fixie. I don't have a fixie, but I think one would want a truly sporty frame to take advantage of the extra response and control. Your Woodrup to my eye has long chainstays, and this tends to mark it as a tourer or sport-=tourer. Expect a soft ride, less ability to turn on a dime, good comfort over a long distance, but not lightning response to the pedals. It won't be a slug, it's still a nice, light, well-built frame, but it is meant to protect your bones from shocks. Build it up with period wide-range gearing, like a true 2 x 10 Alpine or 2x 10 crossover, and get on the road and fly for miles. I don't think I'd make a heavy-load tourer out of it, but I do like mine for 20-40 mile rides. I have a shorter, stiffer Mondonico road race bike I like better for urban traffic. The Woodie slices corners as if on rails, but the Mondonico can dance around obstacles and adjust lines while in a corner.
You can get the rear triangle spread to accommodate 126 or even 130 mm multispeed hubs easily. I think the frames were originally designed for 27 inch wheels. I use 700C tubulars with 57 mm reach sidepull brakes, and a steel threaded headset.
The bottom bracket is a bit high, which tends to make it a bit slower to respond to steering, IMHO. It has medium trail and a very raked fork, so the front end absorbs shock and tends to resist road and wind irregularities. She goes where I tell her.
Make it a road bike, not a track bike. Get a racy thing to make a fixie. This is a distance bike.
Ken Freeman Ann Arbor, MI USA
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Eric Meddaugh Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 2:24 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]new (to me) frame - what would you do with it?
Hello All,=0A=0A=0A=0AThe subject sez it all. Just paid for this frame (eba y item 330030000382) & awaiting delivery with baited breath. What drew me t o it was 531 frame, early 70's (73, maybe 74 my guess) & chrome fork & stay s. I'm debating whether to send it back across the pond for total refurb by Woodrup or rattle can it myself or local semi-pro re-do masking original d ecals & stickers. Also: what components? I'm leaning towards period Campy N R all the way. What say you experts of the shire of Woodrup? Anxiously awai ting your informed opinions...=0A=0A=0A=0ABest Regards,=0A=0A=0A=0AEric Med daugh=0A=0ASan Carlos, CA usa=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A