This bike came through the shop the other day. Considering I couldn't find much information on "General", except that from the knowledgeable people here at bike forums, I figured I'd post this online with a few pictures so it could be found in the future.
If this bike was mine, its nickname would definitely be "The General"
Anyway, the bike is a "General" "Mountain Shadow."
The "General bike and moped company" registered the name "mountain shadow" in 1984 according to this site
http://www.trademarkia.com/mountain-...-73466207.html
it has the serial number "M3-K0875" under the bottom bracket. I was going to guess it was a 1983, but considering the above site, I find that not likely. I'm sure someone will decode the serial. I'd guess it's a bike from the 80s or at the latest, early 90s givin the components on it. The only thing I'm going to assume is original are the brakes, which are of the "wide cantilever" type. They're branded "chang-star" so probably not the highest quality. The levers are branded the same.
Anyway, I've left it here for posterity. Apologies it's not super clean.