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Old School BMX 1980 - 1988 => Old School Race (riders ready, pedals ready... GO!!) => Topic started by: cdt808 on May 03, 2013, 09:05 PM

Title: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 03, 2013, 09:05 PM
So - after the completion of my sons anni aero pro, I have turned my attention to building something for me to ride with him. I have never owned a Kuwahara before but I'd seen so many gorgeous builds on rad I ended up 'needing' one  ;D  (I am a goose fan through and through and so this was a major change in direction for me!)

So - bought a nova f+f and a few nice bits for it and planned to use a set of alloy hubbed skyways that I had already. I know they look sweet with spokes, but in the last month or so of looking, I haven't seen anything suitable, and I know that I am not the only one looking. So, over the last few weeks I have been grabbing the odd five minutes here and there working on the tuffs and today gave the f+f a good clean.... think I have everything I need to build it so going to start this weekend....   8)

can anyone tell me the age looking at the serial number?

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/kuwie.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/kuwie.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/ff.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/ff.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/fandf2.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/fandf2.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/fandf3.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/fandf3.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/wheels.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/wheels.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/tyres-1.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/tyres-1.jpg.html)


Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Clean on May 03, 2013, 09:11 PM
1983.  :daumenhoch:

Stunning looking Frameset; great score!  :4_17_5:

Good luck with the build; shout me if you need parts for it as I have a few bits that are factory correct?  ;)

 :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 03, 2013, 09:32 PM
1983.  :daumenhoch:

Stunning looking Frameset; great score!  :4_17_5:

Good luck with the build; shout me if you need parts for it as I have a few bits that are factory correct?  ;)

 :daumenhoch:

thanks buddy!

F+F are real nice - little bit of chrome lifting where the rear brake fits, but other than that its super. If I am honest I am not entirely sure what factory correct would be for the bike (i know that tuffs aren't  ;D ) so if I list and put up some photos of what I have maybe you guys could advise me? Some of the parts I've bought are real nice and I think were above a nova in spec where as others are due to my preference in parts .....

for example, I do prefer MX1000's over any other brake so I have bought a genuine set in pretty good nick in chrome-black and tech 3's for it  :daumenhoch:

can you point me in the direction of a spec list and any BITD photos?




Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Clean on May 03, 2013, 09:41 PM
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/x71/rkw1971/Kuwahara%20Nova%201983/KuwieNovaUKAdvert.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/x71/rkw1971/Kuwahara%20Nova%201983/IMG-20120807-00052.jpg)

http://www.dreamgate.ne.jp/kuwahara/ (http://www.dreamgate.ne.jp/kuwahara/)  :daumenhoch:

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=1850.50 (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=1850.50)  :4_17_5:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: BMX1973 on May 03, 2013, 09:45 PM
Nice looking Nova F&F  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 03, 2013, 10:49 PM
Nice looking Nova F&F  :daumenhoch:

thanks mate.

bit of a sh!t though.... just tried to fit the black headset that I'd bought (now that the missus has gone to bed  ;D ) and its too bastard small  :-\  .....not going to get it built this weekend after all now as I'll have to find one that fits...... agghhh!  :'(

anyone point me in the direction of a black headset that'll fit???  thanks guys
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Julian347 on May 04, 2013, 07:38 AM
Good luck with the build.  :daumenhoch:
Still got my original 83 Nova. Use it as my rider. All original apart from tyres grips and pads and some of the decals. Use a cromo post and seat as I don't trust the Elina UL fibreglass with my weight these days.
Drop me a PM if you've got any questions on the spec  :daumenhoch:

(http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k575/julianclark347/E1C30438-0D7B-4425-8F6E-81CAF42DBD6A-2318-00000119D8405CEA_zpsa769664d.jpg) (http://s1116.photobucket.com/user/julianclark347/media/E1C30438-0D7B-4425-8F6E-81CAF42DBD6A-2318-00000119D8405CEA_zpsa769664d.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: 20to26 on May 04, 2013, 07:56 PM
Schweet - the skyways will look great
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 04, 2013, 09:26 PM
Schweet - the skyways will look great

thanks mate.


so - popped into the lbs today, with not much hope of a 1" old school headeset .... but a 30 second rummage around in a box and hey presto! Was missing its top nut, but I already had a locking nut to go on anyway.... result!  :daumenhoch:

so build back on again  8)  :)   not the black headset i planned but I reckon it still looks good  :)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/fandfbuilt.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/fandfbuilt.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: NORTY40 on May 05, 2013, 12:16 AM
Nice frameset that  8)

If your after some bars , send JTSmooth a PM as he has some Hsin Lung bars which are virtually identical to the Kuwi Laser bars .... minus the stamping obviously  ;)

Looking forward to seeing it built up , Black and chrome always looks cool  :smitten:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 05, 2013, 08:58 AM
Nice frameset that  8)
If your after some bars , send JTSmooth a PM as he has some Hsin Lung bars which are virtually identical to the Kuwi Laser bars .... minus the stamping obviously  ;)
Looking forward to seeing it built up , Black and chrome always looks cool  :smitten:

thanks matey  8)

bars - I have the original nova bars from this frame set mate  :daumenhoch: will polish em up and post pics later....
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Vos on May 05, 2013, 06:00 PM
This is going to be a beauty.  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 05, 2013, 07:11 PM
This is going to be a beauty.  :daumenhoch:

thanks bud  8)

so - today I grabbed the odd few minutes when i could (in between normal weekend chores!) and set about polishing an cleaning parts ready to carry on with the build ...

win stem....

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/stem1-1.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/stem1-1.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/stem2-1.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/stem2-1.jpg.html)

kuwahara stamped laserpost  :smitten:

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/seatpost.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/seatpost.jpg.html)

nova bars - original to the f+f ...

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/bars1-1.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/bars1-1.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/bars2-1.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/bars2-1.jpg.html)

and put together .....  8)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/partbuilt.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/partbuilt.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 06, 2013, 08:18 PM
so - it was the wife's birthday today so I was never going to get much done on the bike. Nice day out with the wife and kids though  :daumenhoch:

I was dying to see it with the tuffs on though, so managed to put them on, take some photos and put it back before being noticed ....  ;) :D ;D

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/withwheels2.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/withwheels2.jpg.html)

     (http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/withwheels1.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/53bdrhd/media/withwheels1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: BMX1973 on May 06, 2013, 08:50 PM
looking great so far  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Gnarlyscoots on May 06, 2013, 10:36 PM
Liking the look of that with Tuff's on  :daumenhoch:

I must press on with mine sometime now  :D
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: pickle on May 07, 2013, 07:51 AM
chrome and black tuffs just look sooooo right  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: bodamus on May 07, 2013, 03:55 PM
Looks great  :daumenhoch:

might be able to help out with a set of Tyres that are a little closer to the original IRC ones :)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: CustardLips on May 08, 2013, 10:24 PM
Looking good.  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: paulgreenall on May 08, 2013, 10:55 PM
Thats looking great... Cant wait to see it finished..
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Jaan on May 14, 2013, 05:48 PM
Loving your build, clean and classic colour way  :4_17_5:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 14, 2013, 06:37 PM
thanks guys - really appreciated  8)

I have now cleaned up, polished and fitted the levers and front caliper, but waiting for a new bolt for the rear..... then got to start work on the crank .....  :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Vos on May 16, 2013, 10:40 PM
Loving this shot with the Tuffs  :daumenhoch:

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h74/53bdrhd/withwheels1.jpg)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on May 17, 2013, 10:53 AM
Loving this shot with the Tuffs  :daumenhoch:

thanks chap  :)

so ...advice please guys....

 I was planning on using an OPC and victor bear traps (black) but the crank isn't mint. I do have an 82 SR 3 piece which would polish up real nice though, but it would require me getting some more pedals.....

..... so what would suit do you thinkg guys?? an OK OPC/victors  v's polished 82 SR 3 piece/? pedals.....   help ....  :-\


Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: southern andy on May 17, 2013, 04:08 PM
OPC all the way.

There are plenty of mint ones to buy on the bay.


Put a piccy up of yours to show us how bad it is.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: Julian347 on May 17, 2013, 04:34 PM
One piece  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: cdt808 on July 23, 2013, 10:38 PM
christ - finally found my kuwei thread!! was thinking I'd have to start it up all over again!! It must have been moved during the sites 'little episode'!!  :D
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: TC on December 20, 2013, 01:10 PM
Holy thread ressurection radman

Just found an old pic of my old super nova

(http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k535/tonycarter68/kuwahara/11dbe93a.jpg) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/tonycarter68/media/kuwahara/11dbe93a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build.....
Post by: maca on January 13, 2014, 09:04 AM
Love these bikes, might have to hunt one down when I've finished the Burner, mini Burner and the Aero Pro ............. that should keep the other half happy lol
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