If all you are trying to do is figure out the year, have you tried looking for an REI bike catalogue from that time? I think they had one in 84. Or send a photo to REI customer service and see if they can cross reference. Based on what I know from visiting their stores about this time, 84 seems right based on the logo.
As far as the maker, I was told that the Taiwan Novaras came from Fairly, but Japan Novaras came from another company whose name I can’t recall. But what I do recall is that they came via Western States Imports. Which gives you another way to track age...find a Centurion with similar equipment, and you will know what year Novara you have.