This is my first post on BikeForums, though I've read them for quite a while.

I just scored this bike on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1
For the link averse, it is labeled as a Vista Elite, and as Made in Japan, with an Araya 631 tubing sticker. It is equiped with Shimano 600 Arabesque group and Araya 700c rims.

I scoured the archives and found a post or two about Japanese-built Vistas, but not much. Most of the Vista questions were about the badly American made Schwinn competitors. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything about Araya 631 tubing. There was a post that said it was unlikely, but possible that someone would "overdress" a gaspipe frame in Shimano 600 during that era. Appealing to the wisemen: Is it Cro-Mo? Is it Hi-ten? Does Anyone know, or will I just have to see if it weighs the same as my 80's Schwinn Voyageur?

I really fell for the Shimano 600EX "Arabesque" group, and there were quite a few posts here to help me. I do wonder whether anyone has tried to use the rear der on an 8-speed wheel (I also scored a pair of tubular wheels with older DuraAce hubs.) Does it have the throw, or will I just have to wait and see?

Thank you all for your help so far.

Paul