Originally Posted by
himespau
Would dropouts also tell something about quality or would all dropouts be cast at that time so looking to see if not stamped wouldn't tell much?
Forged dropouts had trickled quite far down most product lines by this time. It was pretty easy to find upper entry level with seamed butted tubesets like Ishiwata's EX and EXO series or Tange 900, 1000 or Infinity. Typically, models with these tubesets also employed forged dropouts. Some brands were also using forged dropouts on some models with lightweight, hi-tensile steels. I wouldn't much faith in judging frame quality soley on dropout style during this period.