Okay so I am contemplating a fixed gear for commuting in Manhattan and generally riding around some.

I have an old Peugeot Orient Express which I already put road tires on that would make a nice, but extremely heavy fixed gear to ride around on.

The other option would be to purchase something. I have been thinking about a Kogswell but the lack of a 56 size has me hesitating.

The Raleigh Rush Hour also looks pretty promising.

Ideally I would love to find an old Peugeot PX-10 or a Japanese Keirin bike, but I think that might prove too expensive in the end.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

look on ebay; lots of good deals on track bikes there - no reason to try to convert something

look on ebay; lots of good deals on track bikes there - no reason to try to convert something

Not right now anyway. It seems like a bunch of old bikes end up selling for $150. Add $50 for the shipping and the conversion costs and before you know it you are at $400+. I might scan around for an old Peugeot if I can find one, but the Bay area is pretty well picked over for old bikes.

I was watching a beat up 1986 Bianchi Strada, tons of rust, etc. At $30 it seemed like a good deal. A fury of last second bidding and it went for $185 plus shipping! You can probably forget about finding a good deal on eBay.

The real problem is in Manhattan anything nice is pretty much a target. Even my old Peugeot is in pristine shape and looks it. I think the Raleigh might be the way to go as it is easy to remove the decals on, and I will just spray a bit of dirt on it to make it look older than it is... It's just that those Kogswells are so hot...

I think they are local to you on Staten Island. I haven't ridden one but I've heard pretty good things about them.
http://www.irocycle.com/

Or if money doesn't matter you could have something made. I've been eyeing this for a while now. (Way too nice for what you want.)
http://www.desalvocycles.com/?p=steel_track&s=

Ebay for fixed gear stuff (old convertible frames) is sort of a joke, too many bidders that are too lazy to go to the local goodwill store or to a tag sale.

As for hiding it, electrical tape is your friend.

Look here for ideas too.
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/

Find a fixie that's suited for fender mounting, like kogswell, Milwaukee, maybe IRO. Year-round commuting is much better with fenders, and not all fixies take fenders well. I have a Franken-fender arrangement on my Bianchi Pista, but would have preferred a different bike if I knew better.