RADBMX.CO.UK
BMX General => BMX Chat => Topic started by: skwaym4n on January 05, 2012, 10:40 AM
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This summer there was an advert on good old Gumtree with a few blurred pics of a black BMX titled retro BMX rare in Brixton!!!! I could tell from the pics that it looked like it had a couple of nice bits on it but was very hard to tell what it was so I emailed asking to view it. I heard nothing for 2 weeks then got an email out of the blue saying when could I come. I called the lady back and had a brief conversation in which she said had lots of emails on the bike but they were all asking the same thing regarding the make and model, as I was the only one who hadn't asked I was the only one who got an email back. I swiftly mad my way to Brixton. I saw the bike and it was in tatty survivor condition but having a Tange frame, Win stem and Ukai speedlines I was sure it was Kuwi due to the decal on the bars so handed the spondoolies over immediately and came back a very happy man. I then set about stripping it down for refurb along with my 2 year old getting in on the action.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-14.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-3.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-2.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-21.jpg)
I decided to go the whole way with this one as it was pretty complete and still had all its original components from new bar the tyres, decals and padset!!!
Every part needed to be done with no exception
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-19.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-18.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-17.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-16.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-15.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-8.jpg)
Here is the spec now
1983 Kuwahara Nova Tange Frame and Forks acid dipped and powdered black and then lacquered with New Decals
Original Kuwahara Bars Re-Chromed and new decal (incorrect I know)
NOS OGK Grips (unsure what came on these from new as the originals were like tar on the bars!!!
New Esemdesign Padset
Original Kashimax seat refurbed by Russ_J With original guts polished and Retrospect Decals
Original Kuwahara Seat post rechromed (not in pics as I bought a copy laser post)
Original Suntour Arrow Clamp hand polished
Original WIN stem re-annodised with all 5 original bolts Re-Chromed
Original Headset Re-Chromed
Original Tioga Bottom Bracket Re-Zinc'd
Original Crank Re-Satin Chromed
Original Chainring Powderd Black with Original Bolts
NOS Tioga Spider
NOS KKT pedals same as original
NOS IZUMI Chain
Mint Chrome Shimano 333
NOS Ukai Speedlines laced to NOS Suzue Low flange Hubs ( I have had the original Ukai speedline wheels and Suntour hubbs which have all been re-anno'd ready for lacing
NOS Fat/Thin Combo Mitsuboshi Rainbow label Comp III's
Original Brake Levers Powder Coated black with new hardware
Original Brake Callipers powder coated black, original springs re-zinc'd with new hardware included new Dia-Compe cable pulls, new retrospect MX decals and new chang star decals
NOS Dia-Compe Brake pads
The brakes are an unknown brand but are the ones it left the shop with so I added the chang star decals just as a finishing touch
Dia-Compe cable clips
Here is the work in progress
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-55.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-52.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-47.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-43.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-41.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-28.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-24.jpg)
And the finished article.... I have to say this is my favourite build so far.......It is ooooooooozing originality the way it came from the shop or as near as damn it....have you seen one like this before?
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-84.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-83.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-82.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-81.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-80.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-79.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-78.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-77.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-72.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-71.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-69.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-68.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-67.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-65.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/xx268/skywayman/1983%20Kuwahara%20Nova%20Rebuild/file-64.jpg)
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Loving that :smitten:
Nice resto :daumenhoch:
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thats awesome dude, nice build :daumenhoch:
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Very nice. :daumenhoch:
I'll be starting the reurb of my 83 Nova soon. Are they genuine or repop pads?
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Very nice. :daumenhoch:
I'll be starting the reurb of my 83 Nova soon. Are they genuine or repop pads?
EsemDesign repop... very very nice cali lite reps
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That's a great build fella, nice work :daumenhoch:
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What a transformation.
Refurb builds are the best.
Nice job mate!
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Looks great Steph :4_17_5: I agree, your best to date buddy. Cracking job.
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Lovely restore :smitten: :smitten:
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looks great :4_17_5:
although I loved my silverfox to bits I remember pawing over that ad for the nova BITD
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Lovely refurb......great work :daumenhoch: :smitten:
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Very nice that , cracking resto :daumenhoch:
Do like the Kuwi's in Black , doing one myself at the mo 8)
Little one looks like she is enjoying herself too :LolLolLolLol:
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Steph, top quality restore there bud :4_17_5: Great attention to detail and definately paid off with all the small part resto too :daumenhoch:
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Great resto work :daumenhoch: Looks great :coolsmiley:
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:daumenhoch: :daumenhoch: :daumenhoch:
excellent resto!
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Top Resto :4_17_5:
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Good work there ! , like it :daumenhoch:
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Lovely :daumenhoch:
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Nice, looks really good :coolsmiley:
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Great resto :4_17_5:
Love that bike ,,maybe also because I had one of those frame and forks around 85ish :smitten:
(http://www.dreamgate.ne.jp/kuwahara/history/83ad2.jpg)
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Stunning :4_17_5: :4_17_5:
Surely the Kuwi sticker should be on the front of the laser post though rather than behind it ????
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Looks lovely. Nice work man 8) :daumenhoch:
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Kuwi :smitten: great build, nice and original, love it. :)
Can I ask what you paid for it? :-\
:daumenhoch:
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Top restoration job. Love it :smitten: :smitten: :4_17_5:
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crackin resto.
to me thats what the hobby is all about now.
to easy all nos builds.
if anybody has one of them seat posts let me know i is in need lol.
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Great job!!! :daumenhoch:
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Thanks guy for you kind words...... I am now at a point where I have have to sell everything bar one bike and I had made my decision to keep my Curtis ...until I built this!!!! I don't want them to be show ponies any longer and the one I keep will be a rider!!!! I think I will put it to the vote soon. I will be selling lots of choice parts in the next few days so keep your eyes peeled 8)