first, it can't be a '71 if it was build in Carlsbad. '73 or '74 at the earliest.
It might have been custom-ordered with the cable guides, or it could be a quite late California bike, from 76 or 77--without closeups of the lugs, that's impossible to tell.. that said, it does have the twin-plate crown, which suggests early manufacture and pressed lugs. I'm guessing it was either repainted very well when the cable guides were added...or it was custom-ordered that way....Nice color/graphics scheme in any case. That sand-champagne is among my favorite bike colors.
I like the blue-panel graphic on the dt, but it does make me wonder if it's been repainted. I'm guessing not--my bet is that it's original--but that particular graphic was likely not as common on that color as was the more usual graphic sans panel.
Hey, Brian, how did you guys decide which graphic to use on the dt's? flip a coin? whatever was on top of the pile?
Charles Andrews
socal