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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: 20to26 on April 12, 2009, 09:26 PM

Title: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: 20to26 on April 12, 2009, 09:26 PM

Back in 1983/4ish I rode a cKuwahara like this that I'd like to replicate:
(http://gallery.me.com/dvoutlaw/100015/sc00040235_2/web.jpg'ver=12395260120001)

I've been told it's a Supernova or Non-looptail Nova. However, I'm getting a bit confused.

This is STFC's Supernova - note the rear dropouts - they're nothing like my old Kuwie. There's a triangular shape to them whereas mine was square:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/jj262/lambrettalee/kuwahara001-1.jpg)

I read somewhere that many of the Tange frames of the day (ie Raleigh & Kuwahara) were the same, but with different serial numbers. In fact the retro Raleigh Aero Burner frame looks identical to my old Kuwie in the pic. I can't recall if my old bike had 'K' or 'Kuwahara' stamped on the dropouts or brake bridge. In fact it looks almost as if the brake bridge was round & not flat such as the Laserlite.

The Kuwahara Survivor had a lip on the bottom of the dropouts like this:
http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/kuwahara/581 (http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/kuwahara/581)

Anybody got any ideas on a positive frame ID for me?

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: markyp on April 12, 2009, 10:42 PM

i noticed the same thing recently on i think a survivor.think it was for sale on ebay or somewhere yet the dropouts on it were differant to most of the survivors id seen before but the i.d matched that of a kuwi so it was legit.im as confused as you.fire bodamus a pm,hes the main man on here for kuwis,he will set you straight  :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: Gashead on April 12, 2009, 10:46 PM

was your old frame full oval tubing too ?

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: bodamus on April 12, 2009, 10:54 PM

Problem is some Kuwahara's were Tange made Frames and some were Kuwahara made Frames. Not all Laserlites, Survivors, or Supernova's will have the same dropouts.

I don't know what model your Kuwahara is? is that blue the original paint as I haven't seen one like it before and as Gashead says did it have Oval, semi oval or round tubing as this might help to I.D. better.

bodamus :-\

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: stfc on April 12, 2009, 11:01 PM

mine is a 1985,the frame is stamped kuwahara if that helps  :-X

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: 20to26 on April 13, 2009, 10:22 AM

Thanks for the responses so far guys.

Judging from the pics that I have and my memory the TT & DT tubes were oval... but I'm not certain.

And that Blue was the original colour.

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: Jt on April 13, 2009, 12:44 PM

that blue is the original colour..i bought a built but not used blue nova out of loot in 1991 for 35 quid.

all the bits were gold on it too.

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: stfc on April 13, 2009, 01:09 PM

mine has round tubing, if thats any help ??

Title: Re: Kuwahara Quandry
Post by: 20to26 on April 13, 2009, 06:42 PM

Quote from: J.T on April 13, 2009, 12:44 PM

that blue is the original colour..i bought a built but not used blue nova out of loot in 1991 for 35 quid.

all the bits were gold on it too.

JT can you remember what shape tubes were on that bike that you had?