This is a far cry from having sew ups.

I was always under the impression that Ukai and Araya were the same company, just for different markets?
They both seemed to always have identical rims but with brand names.

The rims on this bike are most like what Araya called the 16A.
I seemed to remember more Ukai rims on mountain bikes and BMX bikes back then, they weren't as common on road bikes.

When I think lower end bikes back then, I think of things like Tourney cranks, Shimano Eagle gear changers, and steel Araya rims, but this is a step up.

For what its worth, I hung it on a scale for kicks, my meat hook scale I've got reads 27.8 lbs, which isn't too bad for a run of the mill bike back then.
Not that I figured weight was a big concern on a bike like this, but somehow its only a a couple pounds heavier than my Raleigh Super Course of the same size. The gumwall tires alone could account for that.

Regardless, its a great riding bike, I suppose its a keeper, its not often you run across a freebie that's completely ready to ride.
Knowing who made it and how old it isn't all that important, but I have to say I'm a a bit more than curious as to who they contracted with to make this.