hi again and yes - my search for an old vintage bike found this from my local CL ad...

miyata alumicross (made in japan)

please check it out and hope you can provide some helpful comments re: spec / history info / value...etc

thanks again ....

ps - I forgot to mention that the 'gear shift' was at the end of the drop down handle bar(see picture) ...
is this common / factory build ? or 'custom' after market add on ?