Originally Posted by
T-Mar
Given that the brakes are Shimano 600 Ultegra, which didn't come out until the the 1988 model year, it's very hard to imagine that they could have bee installed as OEM on a frame built in very late 1985, either at the factory or LBS. The most plausible scenario fro the bicycle is that owner stripped it of everything that he could, using common hand tools. This would have left components such as the crankset, headset and chain. He may not have realized that you could remove the front derailleur without breaking the chain and left it also.
Sure, but I don't know the history of the bike. Clearly, there was some modification, as it had red label GP4's on it with tubulars, which were the older style by this point. If it sat on the floor of the bike shop for a year, it could have been sold with different parts. 1988 parts could have been available as early as 1987. This is a 1986 bike. I don't see it as impossible as being sold with the later brakes.
That said, the differences between 6207 brakes and 6400 brakes are mainly cosmetic. I've owned both, and I really can't tell the difference in terms of stopping power or feel. I don't know why you would pull 6207 brakes off a bike and put on 6400 on without a shop doing it.
Anyway, it is what it is. Thanks for your comments.