Lightish 10 speed suggestions for a Resto?

[RoadieRyan]

I recently sold my "go fast" Cannondale that I realized after 10 years
of riding was really too small for me. I have a nice Steel Handsome
Devil that is my all round bike right now but I would love to build up
a nice vintage steel go fast bike for the summer and fall fun rides.

I have seen the "Top 10 barn finds" list but since I am on a bit of a
budget I wonder if anyone has suggestions on bicycle boom bikes that
would fit the bill as a relativity light sport tour type of bike. I
am just about done fixing up a Schwinn "Chicago" Varsity and that bike
is a tank!

Any suggestions are appreciated, while I would prefer a Japanese made
bike/frame I am open to a French bike since Velo Orange has quite a
few French sized parts these days.

Thanks in advance for your advice

[Montclair BobbyB]

Ryan:

There seem to be plenty of excellent lugged steel Japanese bikes from
the 80s out there for sale. I ride a 1986 Nishiki Prestige, and I
love this bike. Lotus, Miyata, Shogun, Panasonic and Fuji are just a
few other names. With few exceptions these bikes seem to be in
reasonably low demand, making them generally more available (and at
attractive prices).

BB

[FatErik]

I agree w/ BobbyB that the Japanese frames are readily available for a
good price. One approach that has worked well for me is to put a
"want to buy" ad on craigslist. For example, post an ad that says
some like "I'm looking for a good, rust free, economical frame in size
XXcm. If you have one, send me a pic and your asking price." I've
done this before and got some great deals. I got a 1987 Trek 560 (531
steel) for $75 and I got a mid 70s Bottecchia Pro for $100. IMO the
Japanese frames listed above should be available for $50 or less.
They are good solid frames. Maybe not quite as nice as a 531 or
columbus steel frame but well worth bringing back to life for the
right amount of money and effort.