Thanks for that scan, TMar, I knew the frame manufacture was Jan 1990, but was unsure about the shifters. My 1992 Suntour catalog shows them as new for 92 but I wonder if they meant 8 speed was new for 92...

15 mile ride today on it and I’m reminded why Suntour couldn’t compete and pulled out of the US market in 93 (I think 93 was the last year for them). Clunky, imprecise, high effort required, and fit and finish just not quite up to the standard Shimano set. Also I’m reminded why I don’t really like drop bars - fingers go numb no matter where my hands are on the bar. Maybe I’ll change it over to flat bars and throw on my Suntour XC Pro thumbies. That way I don’t have to lose the wheel set for some Shimano something or other. Although that could be a possibility...

At any rate, the ride is very nice like a decent steel frame should be, and I’m looking forward to more fiddling with this thing. Although I do carry a bit of discomfort with changing from OEM spec (Nevermind I changed the brakes - I still have the original Dia-Compe 986’s it came with, and I’ll probably put them back on soon). The handlebar was a necessity so it doesn’t count...

I rechecked the date codes on those XCD brakes - they were made Dec 1988, not early 1990 like I thought. So conceivably they could still have a home on that frame set....