FWIW, which probably isn't much at this point , if there's no labeling at all indicating country of manufacture, combined with the "S" serial, I'd say it's more likely Mississippi-built than anything else. There have been cases of Columbus Tenax Schwinns from the '80's that have been labeled American made, discussed here. The Japanese-made Schwinns I've seen have all been clearly labeled "Made in Japan for Schwinn" or something similar, on the upper part of the seat tube. The "Chicago" headbadge pretty much means nothing, as we've determined they put those on lots of models long after the Chicago plant had shut down, some from the U.S. (Mississippi), some not......btw, I think you've made a good choice on the shifters, in deciding not to go with the brifters...........I really like my barcons on my le tour luxe.