can you help me ID this frame?
 

I rescued it from a "free" pile I drove by yesterday. I'd like to know the make and year eventually. The serial number is 6H4C10 and it has mostly suntour superbe components. Any help?
http://feed4.tinypic.com/rss.php?ua=...F4EDJp7g%3D%3D

I replied to your other post before seeing this one, which has one good pic: it sure ain't as late as anything '80s, it's from the '70s, still looks like it could be a Nishiki/Azuki, but there were other JP brands that used these frame bits, so it's not conclusive. That RD is NOT a Superbe, it IS a SunTour, maybe a V-GT...the brake caliper shown IS an early Superbe caliper. You have the early forged SunTour dropouts with no adjuster screw that were used on many JP bikes, Nishiki Kokusai (International) and Semi Pro models, among many others. As noted above, T-Mar knows more about serial numbers than any of us, he can probably nail it.

The RD is indeed Suntour V-GT per this picture and it should have a 2 letter date code.
+1 about the Japanese origin and the 70s era. This looks like a nice touring frame with canti brake bosses. The lugs are fairly elaborate, so it is probably a higher end frame.

http://i45.tinypic.com/xpbz29.jpg

based on the characteristics, the frame is 1970s, as suggested by Unworhty1. A. Winthrop is correct in stating that the leading number often indicates the year, so 1976 is a possibility. However, early Japanese serial number formats often use the Imperial calendar, so Showa 46, which is 1971, is also a possibility.

The Panasonic serial numbers I've seen have only used one letter, in the 2nd position. The presence of the "C" thorws things off. This format doesn't match any of the other major, Japanese manufactured brands; Azuki/Nishiki, Bridgestone/Kabuki, Centurion, Fuji, Kuwahara/Soma or Miyata/Univega.

Still, the "C" could be an impartially formed "zero", though it does look too full and I suspect it is a "C". Fortunately, we have "zero" at the end of the serial number for comparison. If the shapes match, then a Panasonic model would be the best candidate.

Regardless, it is at least a mid-range model, on the basis of the chrome and forged dropouts with integral derailleur hanger. I don't see the cantilever bosses, as referred to by Ejust E, but it would be interesting to know the component date codes, as he suggested. Both the rear derailleur and crankset could be OEM. The brake is most likely a upgrade, with the original brakes probably being Dia-Compe center-pulls.

thanks for the information. the derailleur and the seatpost are 1976 according to S.Brown's date codes. There are no canti bosses and I'll double-check the C vs 0 issue and I'll check some panasonic SN database for 6H4010 and see what that turns up.
Thanks again!
BTW, the # is near the bottom of the seat tube

Nice Drop bolt for the front brake- clearly the brakes weren't original to the frame

strange place for a serial number, I can't recall any other Japanese makes that put them low on the seat tube like that...this might be the best clue if anybody else has an example of a similar placement.

Apollo, Kuwahara, Soma and Takara all used that placement, though the format does not match and they typically stamped the serial number along the tube, as opposed to around it. Stamping around the tube leads to more chance of partial impressions, hence my original query. Some early Centurion have also been seen using that location but again, the format does not match.

and that's^ why they pay T-Mar the big bucks!
(or why they should)