Going backwards on your comments above (sorry, quoting got all janky - I'm trying hard to get my 10 posts in so I can get the photos up -- thanks to everyone who's helped in the ID):

1. Brakes are definitely marked "MV33" - I'll check the levers -- just checked, their is no mfg stamp, but they are marked "C 981" - where the "C" looks a bit like a PacMan.
2. Bars are def. "northroad" style. In my mind a "true" Northroad is a bit wider, but that might just be an impression pulled from my a@@. This is my first rig with those style bars.
3. I'm going to check the front and rear derailleurs and get back in a separate post (trying to quickly get up to 10 to allow photos).
4. Good point on the possible replacement of the rear cassette. That would have required (assuming a change from 7 to 8/9/10) installation / swap of the SRAM twist shifters, right? The rear derailleur is marked "A" - I'm guessing that's "Alivio" - and also stamped "RD MC-18"
5. The "black" I mentioned doesn't seem like "jet black" and I'm not sure what "graphite pearl" looks like - but if that's a dark color, then it could well be that. Decals, though, aren't silver but red, like the above poster. The decals are goldish color with red outline trim and/or just a red outline trim.

Pictures are all ready after 24 more hours and my first 10 posts!