How can I turn my vintage road bike into a fixie?

1. Remove brakes: Disconnect the brake cables and remove the brake pads. Ensure that the brake holes are covered for safety. To keep a minimalist aesthetic, you can fill them with bolts.

2. Remove the shifter: If your vintage road bike has a separate shifter, you can go ahead and remove it along with the gear cables.

3. Remove the freehub, rear cogs, and chain: Flip your bike upside down, and you will find the rear hub and the cogset. Remove them using the appropriate tools and the chain as well.

4. Install a new single speed cog: Choose the cog size according to your preferences and riding conditions and thread it onto the rear hub. It's important to ensure that the right side faces outward during installation. Use a chain whip or lock ring tool to tighten it into place.

5. Measure and Cut the Chain: Install your new chain and wrap it through the cog and chainring. Ensure the chain is the right length by wrapping it around both chainring and cog and adding one extra link, which you may then remove depending on how tight or loose you want your chain to be. Once the perfect chain length is established, cut the chain with a chain breaker tool or a hacksaw and connect the ends using the included link.

6. Check and Adjust the Chain Tension: Once the chain is installed, it needs to be properly tightened to prevent skipping. Use a chain tensioner tool or eyeball the tension to ensure the chain is just tight enough to not sag but not too tight. Tightening the chain might necessitate minor adjustment in the rear axle's position, so do that accordingly.

7. Tighten Everything Up: Go over all bolts and make sure they are tight and secure. Take a test ride and pay close attention to the overall feeling and any odd sounds or movements. This is extremely crucial for your safety.

Remember, modifying a vintage road bike into a fixie can be a fun project, but safety is paramount. Take time to double-check every step and always wear a helmet when riding your bike.