i have also just completed a fixed rebuild/conversion.
picked up an 80's ultima (kuwahara built) 12sp on ebay from for 40 odd bucks. removed, cleaned, greased everything. flipped/chopped the bars. had the original rear wheel rebuilt with a fixed hub. the bike shop threw in the matching red chain...
back into riding after a decent absence and loving it. (may add some risers bars for a little more shoulder comfort)
i too did not want to destroy the original bike - thus kept the slighlty scratched paint, the worn saddle (with porsche script turbo insignia!) and the dull (but straight) original mavic 27 1/4 rims.