Thanks John E this does help. This bike bears many things similar to an early 70s Katakura-Silk/Nishiki Professional I have including the lovely Sunshine large flange hubs and funky skewers and Dia Compe brakes/stem, etc. I did get it sort of cleaned up and will post pictures later tonight. I will look again, but did not see any letter other than the "S" you see on the down tube followed by the numbering. 1973 would fit with the 1974 sales brochure which lists the fame/fork specifications for the Competition (Ladies & Men) and will compare them to what's on this bike. Interesting the fork appears to be chromed even under the paint, although the frame does not appear to be similarly chromed. Also, it has what is obviously the Suntour Barcon shifters, but these are marked "Schwinn". Thanks