They are aluminum alloy & they are clean. Going by the pic posted by randyjawa I have center pull brakes. The fork in the pic may be the same as mine. The different brake set up kind of makes it hard to tell. The one difference is my lugs on the fork are chrome. Also I have bar end shifters. I have come to really like & enjoy this bike! These old Nishikis make fantastic do it all, commuter bikes.
You all have convinced me to change out the pads for Kool Stops. Soon as I find my cammera I will post pics of existing tire clearance.
Really want to know how big I can go on tires. Especially with icy roads being a possibility any time now.