Thanks, Skip!
My first bike was actually an American Eagle Custom--hi-tensile, with the shifters at the stem--and I traded it in after a year and a half for the Nishiki Competition. I'll bet your right about the Semi-Pro being an "American Eagle" bike rather than a "Nishiki"; things get blurry for me with those two names, esepecially since I had one of each within a year and a half!
Nice story about the Competition you found along the road. Funny how we try to make bikes that are too big for us work for so long. . . . :-)
If anyone knows if that's Champion tubing--or something else in particular--I'd sure appreciate knowing.
nath (who needs another cup--or three--of coffee) dresser spring green, wi