Originally Posted by
dddd
That is interesting about the welded caps.
If it has a taper to the seat tube, I believe it would have to be the better EX version, though my own EX has the tapered bullet ends.
The 7410 model crank was offered only in '95 and '96 iir, so if it was built at that time it is an early EX (mine has the later hollow-arm 7700 crankset but is only a 1997).
Check your derailer and shifter date codes, if they are years later than 1996 then likely your bike received the newer 9s shifters and derailers as an upgrade.
Are your brake calipers also 74xx parts?
Wow, you have a 97 EX? What is it like?
I will check the codes, thanks. I suspect most of the components are upgrades, though I bet the 600 headset and the (bonded aluminum?) fork are original.
I am thinking the vertical dropouts and non-ovalized tubing on this one mean it's not an EX?