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Old School BMX 1980 - 1988 => Old School Race (riders ready, pedals ready... GO!!) => Topic started by: 20to26 on February 21, 2009, 06:44 PM

Title: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: 20to26 on February 21, 2009, 06:44 PM: Just heard this evening that this baby is winging its way over to my grubby mits!

(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/1_kuwi003/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/1_kuwi000/web.jpg)

Now got to figure out how to build it up for the OS season!

Does anyone know if these were sold as completes?
:)
Title: Re: currently over the atlantic
Post by: moley on February 21, 2009, 10:03 PM: If its a Kuwie Champion then ask Diggler!! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: currently over the atlantic
Post by: 20to26 on February 21, 2009, 10:49 PM: yessir Kuwie Champion
Title: Re: currently over the atlantic
Post by: bof on February 21, 2009, 11:03 PM: Nice frame you have got there , good to see its not the 1 1/8th model :2funny:

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h10/fish116/MK08_156.jpg)
Title: Re: currently over the atlantic
Post by: 20to26 on February 22, 2009, 09:34 AM: sheesh - yeah Bof that would be a major problem...
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - new pics
Post by: 20to26 on March 02, 2009, 01:47 PM: Oh happy day, a ride in the forest and the parcel force bloke delivers my new F&F from the USA - no VAT, no Duty! :)
This is going to be my OSS ride.

Taking a look over the frameset it's in very nice condition - hardly any rust - perhaps cos it came from dry & dusty Texas. So there shouldn't be too much effort to get it gleaming chrome!

Here's some detail pics before the spruce up:
Headtube:
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5979/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5990/web.jpg)

TT-ST Junction:
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5980/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5982/web.jpg)

BB:
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5983/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5988/web.jpg)

Forks:
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5986/web.jpg)
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP5984/web.jpg)

Now to decide how to build it. I was thinking of doing a replica of sorts of Clint Millers 1983 World Champion setup.
Some Laserbars & post would be nice.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: Dark Diggler on March 02, 2009, 02:30 PM: :daumenhoch:

Ride it hard
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: magna13 on March 02, 2009, 06:16 PM: Always liked the Champions :smitten: :smitten:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: hunterdubber on March 02, 2009, 06:43 PM: Nice welds :smitten:

Great frameset ,,, they ride as good as they look too

You'll love it ;)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: OrgasmDonor on March 02, 2009, 10:00 PM: fookin 'ell! those welds are awesome, nice f/f dude :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: double chevron on March 03, 2009, 08:03 AM: Looks quality for sure :daumenhoch:
What era is this one from ? early 90's ?
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: magna13 on March 03, 2009, 08:13 AM: Yep, early 90's im sure of it :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: hunterdubber on March 04, 2009, 11:38 PM: I think Diggler's is a 92 ::)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: bof on March 05, 2009, 11:29 PM: Quote from: Hunterdubber on March 04, 2009, 11:38 PM
I think Diggler's is an 02 ::)

:shocked: ::) ::) ::) ::):shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: daz bmx it! on March 07, 2009, 01:58 PM: So are they the original decals for that frame?
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: hunterdubber on March 07, 2009, 03:44 PM: Quote from: daz bmx on March 07, 2009, 01:58 PM
So are they the original decals for that frame?

Don't think so Daz :-\

I think the set Diggler has on his are the correct ones

maybe he'll put a clse up pic on for us , if we ask nicely

or bribe him with blood of an expectant weasel :)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: 20to26 on March 07, 2009, 03:52 PM: Quote from: daz bmx on March 07, 2009, 01:58 PM
So are they the original decals for that frame?

I don't think these are original Daz - judging from Digglers and the few others on BMXmuseum.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: Gashead on March 07, 2009, 04:06 PM: Cool frame set that - a little different :4_17_5:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: 20to26 on March 07, 2009, 05:19 PM: I found a little info on this frameset in a comment on BMXmuseum:
"Kuwhara later sold the frames or let Primo use the frame design. something like that... These are the last Frames Kuwi did before they stopped making BMX frames and they were made in the USA. From what i have researched, Kuwahara only gave these frames/forks to Authorized Dealers for Kuwi as a present and none of them were ever given as completes. So, there are only a hand full of these floating around the world."
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: 20to26 on March 12, 2009, 08:06 AM: I fired off an email to Kuwahara in Japan trying to get some more info on the Champion Series of frames, here's the response:
"Dear Mr.Steve

Thanks visited to our web site and ask to us.

Then I checked about Champion version of BMX.

Our president told to me at that time our distributor made in USA frame special limited quantity.

Because not our products cause really sorry we don't know evreything.

Best Regards,
Takashi Kuwahara"

I followed that up with a request for a US contact:
"Dear Steve

Sorry our distributor of Kuwahara at that time Everything bike.

But now they already close the company. And we don't there now.

No way contact to everybody.

Best Regards,
Takashi Kuwahara"

So for the time being all we know is that Everything Bicycles commissioned these frames to be made in the USA. Hopefully I can find out who made 'em.

What these emails do reveal is just how good Kuwahara in Japan are with customer service! I've never had two successive emails in two days from a manufacturer...
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: hunterdubber on March 12, 2009, 05:26 PM: Jesus what was all that about :D

I think he'd had too much Sakke to drink ;D
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: dannywhiteley on March 12, 2009, 06:01 PM: Maybe he would have made more sense in Japanese? Shame none of us would have a clue ::)

:LolLolLolLol:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: ron burgundy on March 13, 2009, 07:45 PM: That looks like a B&E made frame set, as in S&M, Revcore, etc...

Nice :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: Dark Diggler on March 13, 2009, 08:05 PM: Rides so nice this frame, and strong too.
Any excuse to get me kit out :LolLolLolLol:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/p70/simonjturner/Kuwiupdate.jpg)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: teamsano on March 13, 2009, 11:07 PM: thats not an attractive frame, sorry.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: bof on March 13, 2009, 11:12 PM: Quote from: teamsano on March 13, 2009, 11:07 PM
thats not an attractive frame, sorry.

:2funny:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: Dark Diggler on March 13, 2009, 11:22 PM: Quote from: teamsano on March 13, 2009, 11:07 PM
thats an attractive frame, sorry, but it just is,. I bet its strong too, not like that dibly blokes frames, they snap more than rice crispies, I can find literally..........er..a picture to prove it, well I would have got away with it if it wasn't for that pesky kid

Wow :LolLolLolLol:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: hunterdubber on March 14, 2009, 12:54 AM: Fookin a million billion LOLs
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: moley on March 14, 2009, 09:29 AM: Quote from: teamsano on March 13, 2009, 11:07 PM
thats not an attractive frame, sorry.

That must cut deep to the core!! :'(

Its alright Diggler, we'll give you counselling at Hartlepool!! :LolLolLolLol:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: 20to26 on March 16, 2009, 04:56 PM: When I saw Dark's bike in the museum I just had to have one - and I can still see why.
(Thats a nice track in the background too - where?)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,
or beer holder eh teamsano. Anyhoo - I like mine and Dark's little beauty must be half decent to carry BOF to glory...

Slowly, slowly the parts are arriving. Right now I'm trying to decide on which saddle & wheels to fit!
Cranks should drop through the letterbox tomorrow.
then Bars,

Got to be done for my first Old Fools,
yes I know it's a race bike but I figure it may be a good way to get to grips with it!
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - project's landed
Post by: Dark Diggler on March 16, 2009, 05:11 PM: the track is a good un, its next to leeds/Bradistan airoport :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: 20to26 on April 06, 2009, 12:12 PM: Finally got all the bits together to build my Champion on saturday evening then raced it over at Hayes on Sunday at my first ever Regional against some quicker Old Schoolers :)

Besides flipping out of the gate on my first gate start :2funny:,
I loved riding this bike. Stable with just the right amount of compliance for my tastes.

(http://gallery.mac.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP6378/web.jpg'ver=12390154830001)
(http://gallery.mac.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP6379/web.jpg'ver=12390155060001)
(http://gallery.mac.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP6380/web.jpg'ver=12390154740001)
(http://gallery.mac.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP6382/web.jpg'ver=12390155360001)
(http://gallery.mac.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP6383/web.jpg'ver=12390154910001)
(http://gallery.mac.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP6384/web.jpg'ver=12390155200001)
(http://gallery.mac.com/dvoutlaw/100015/IMGP6464/web.jpg'ver=12390155130001)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: Jt on April 06, 2009, 12:31 PM: that looks real real nice.

rare too.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: thecrooch on April 06, 2009, 01:30 PM: Was great to meet you Steve and barring the gate wobble you had in the last moto (??) you held your end up bloody well.

hope you can make some more of the OS Regional gates as we defo need the support (only 4 riders yesterday)

oh and he did race with pedals on....
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: 20to26 on April 06, 2009, 05:20 PM: Good to meet you too Crooch - thanks for the props!
I'm going to be on the OS gate that's for sure.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - PICS - finished at last (I think)
Post by: 20to26 on May 26, 2009, 01:35 PM: I finally think I got this bike down & complete. It needed a few bits: a custom green padset from Firebird, some Ame'rica grips and polished pedals to round it off...
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100095/IMGP6536/web.jpg'ver=12433409080001)
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100095/IMGP6529/web.jpg'ver=12433409880002)
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100095/IMGP6541/web.jpg'ver=12433405690001)
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: DIRTBIKER250F on May 26, 2009, 01:45 PM: That is really stunning, if you ever wanna get rid send me a PM before you put it up mate :4_17_5:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: JD_76 on May 26, 2009, 03:20 PM: I love that, the gold and silver just works so well.

Green pads look :smitten:

Nice one.

J.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: magna13 on May 26, 2009, 05:12 PM: Very nice bike, one of my most wanted frames :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: double chevron on May 27, 2009, 08:40 AM: didn't think I'll ever fall in love with a 92 kuwahara.. :shocked: till today !!

That green padset is just excellent, as for the gold rims...

Beautiful machine :daumenhoch: :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: 20to26 on May 27, 2009, 09:34 AM: thanks guys!
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: mileyboy on May 27, 2009, 09:47 AM: That is fantastic-whats the story with the brake lever/cable?
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: 20to26 on May 27, 2009, 10:14 AM: Quote from: mileyboy on May 27, 2009, 09:47 AM
whats the story with the brake lever/cable?

well spotted - the correct end cap for the cable is missing. If anyone has the correct one for a Tech IV please LMK.
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: crazycraig on May 27, 2009, 11:31 AM: nice !!
Title: Re: Kuwahara Champion - built & ridden
Post by: southern andy on May 27, 2009, 07:11 PM: That is a lovely lovely looking bike, the green pads are a great idea and they compromise the frameset really well.

Nice one mate. :4_17_5: