Originally Posted by
Zinger
Now I wonder what the frame differences are between that and my '86 500. (besides the angles) Are my stays and forks not also 531 ?
The "series" is going to tell you what the frame is.
Generally, until 1986, a 500 series frame is going to be a quality Ishiwata or Reynolds CrMo throughout or may have Mangalloy fork and stays.
The 600 series stuff is going to have 531 main frame, but CrMo or Mangalloy fork and stays.
The 700 series stuff is 531 throughout.
The 900 series stuff is Columbus throughout.
In 86, they started mixing and matching 531 with different CrMo- but still, the only way you were getting 531 throughout was a 700 series frame.
Looking at the 86 catalog- the 500 had a 531 frame, but Tange CrMo fork and unidentified CrMo stays. My 86 400 Elance has a 531 frame, but Tange CrMo fork and stays.