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What model Kuwahara?
Natsukashi:
As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
Koizumi still has a huge chroming tank that they used for all the makers frames they produced like the DB Silver streak, and HL Turbo etc (see it here: Koizumi Factory)
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BMX1973:
8) :coolsmiley:
--- Quote from: Natsukashi on January 06, 2015, 09:53 AM ---As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
Koizumi still has a huge chroming tank that they used for all the makers frames they produced like the DB Silver streak, and HL Turbo etc (see it here: Koizumi Factory)
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--- End quote ---
andypatt444:
Great info from Japan. Cheers.
Mikku:
--- Quote from: Natsukashi on January 06, 2015, 09:53 AM ---As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for the reply Ian! :bow:
So let me get this straight in my little mind - all the "Tange-made" frames that we know and love (Laserlite et al) are actually Tange tubing welded up by Koizumi and/or Tokyo Kogyo???
Btw Ian, we should meet up for a beer and/or a spin on the Kuwis soon! :daumenhoch:
Natsukashi:
--- Quote from: Mikku on January 07, 2015, 12:32 AM ---
--- Quote from: Natsukashi on January 06, 2015, 09:53 AM ---As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for the reply Ian! :bow:
So let me get this straight in my little mind - all the "Tange-made" frames that we know and love (Laserlite et al) are actually Tange tubing welded up by Koizumi and/or Tokyo Kogyo???
Btw Ian, we should meet up for a beer and/or a spin on the Kuwis soon! :daumenhoch:
--- End quote ---
Happy New Year Mick! Too cold for spinning but a beer sounds favorite!
Re frames, yes that's right as far as I know. I am quite sure the forks were made by Tange (that or the forks were complete without the drop-outs which were welded by Koizumi or Tokyo-kogyo) but the frames were not welded by them ordinarily. I have met the owner of Tokyo Kogyo and of course I know Koizumi-san so I know those two were the primary welders and finishers - there may have been others over the years. I think Tokyo-Kogyo may have done more since I know Koizumi were busy with the Diamond Back frames and later Trick-stars and some Raleigh Burner models, to name a few.
Cheers!
:daumenhoch:
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