[CR]1954-ish BATES 52 cm on ebay

CR folks,

There is a nice-looking Bates (52 cm c-t seat x 54.5 cm TT) with Diadant forks on ebay that dates from about 1954:

http://ebay.com/<blah> ViewItem&item=110278681375&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohostin g

I have never ridden a Bates before, much less one with the reverse- double-bend Diadant forks. I love the history of the Bates family of frame builders, and the innovative designs intrigue me, but I have lots of questions about owning a bike of this vintage:

1) What does a Bates with this fork ride like?

2) What does one look for (or ask about) in terms of frame/fork condition with a frame this old?

3) Can one ride a 55-year-old steel frame hard, just like any other bike?

4) Does an older frame like this require any special care?

5) What is the "useful work life" of a steel frame? How long can it be safely used in daily riding?

As always, thanks very much for my upcoming education.

Regards,

Jon Spangler in Alameda, California USA, where it is cool and foggy right at dusk (8:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time)