Author Topic: Early Freestyle/Skatebowl inspired Kuwi build - FINISHED (Read 3750 times)

ammacopij72 · « **on:** May 26, 2020, 03:25 PM »

been looking at lots of piccies of that awesome period around 81-83 when freestyle came along but there weren't any dedicated bikes about yet. Lots of cool creativity in building race bikes into freestyle machines like we looked at in BMX Action Mag...

So to that end I managed to snaffle this lovely 1983 Chrome Kuwi KYZ (would have loved to get a KZ-1 but silly money) and hope to start building her up soon, the other pics are the sort of direction i'm going with this build...

bobafett · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:51 AM »

Nice frame mate - looking forward to seeing what you do with it - keep us posted

BMX1973 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2020, 04:42 PM »

Looking forward to this.

Picklez · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2020, 05:13 PM »

My kind of build, looking forward to it

SDF · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2020, 06:47 PM »

Quote from: ammacopij72 on May 26, 2020, 03:25 PM

been looking at lots of piccies of that awesome period around 81-83 when freestyle came long but there weren't any dedicated bikes about yet. Lots of cool creativity in building race bikes into freestyle machines like we looked at in BMX Action Mag...

So to that end I managed to snaffle this lovely 1983 Chrome Kuwi KYZ (would have loved to get a KZ-1 but silly money) and hope to start building her up soon, the other pics are the sort of direction i'm going with this build...

Great idea and project. love a build that represents how the bikes actually were.Have you got this pic? It's one of my favourites.

Picklez · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2020, 09:28 PM »

love the 11th commandment

deeman · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2020, 01:00 AM »

i love this very brief period when race bikes were used for freestyle.....Craig Campbell on a skyway T/a springs to mind. i had an early Tai freestyle frame for my first BMX, then nearly bought a P.k Ripper as that was too heavy but ended up with my PR. The period when 'crossover' bikes were used could only of been a year or so but what an important year!

ammacopij72 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2020, 08:25 AM »

Quote from: SDF on May 27, 2020, 06:47 PM

Quote from: ammacopij72 on May 26, 2020, 03:25 PM
been looking at lots of piccies of that awesome period around 81-83 when freestyle came long but there weren't any dedicated bikes about yet. Lots of cool creativity in building race bikes into freestyle machines like we looked at in BMX Action Mag...

So to that end I managed to snaffle this lovely 1983 Chrome Kuwi KYZ (would have loved to get a KZ-1 but silly money) and hope to start building her up soon, the other pics are the sort of direction i'm going with this build...

Great idea and project. love a build that represents how the bikes actually were.Have you got this pic? It's one of my favourites.

great pic mate, i'll have to get some short shorts to complete the build!

stu27 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2020, 08:32 AM »

I like the thought behind this build
Looking forward to seeing it

ammacopij72 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2020, 04:12 PM »

Quick update..

After giving the f/f a good bath in citric for 36 hours and a polish, decals are now on plus some bits that were ready to go. Still waiting on tyres and a few other bits but its coming along nicely I think...

just finished putting together the crank for this as well, so cheeky pic of that too

SDF · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2020, 04:43 PM »

Looking good. Cant wait to see the see the next stage.

Picklez · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2020, 05:06 PM »

Agreed, looking very nice

.

chubby · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2020, 08:17 PM »

Something I've toyed with Neil,just can't bring myself to buy a race frame..

ammacopij72 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2020, 02:19 PM »

Quote from: chubby on June 24, 2020, 08:17 PM

Something I've toyed with Neil,just can't bring myself to buy a race frame..

Swivel · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2020, 03:39 PM »

Looks lovely, really come out well, looking forward to seeing this done

Mikku · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2020, 11:53 PM »

+1! I guess we were all in the same boat at that time - just using our race bikes to try and do the tricks we were reading about in the mags - good times!

ammacopij72 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 26, 2020, 02:53 PM »

few more additions and changes..

Think the red seat was too much so put on an OG Viscount MX (Schwinn branded) seat and a set of Tange grips i had in my box of bits to balance it out a bit. Think it works well with the Black OG Tuffs. Have a set of red Kenda freestyle tyres on the way so will see what looks 'right' when they arrive. Maybe comp 3 on front and freestyle on rear...?

bobafett · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2020, 05:39 PM »

Lookin good mate

Midschoolfool · « **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2020, 06:36 PM »

Love it. Love those pads too.

SDF · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2020, 07:30 PM »

Quote from: ammacopij72 on June 26, 2020, 02:53 PM

few more additions and changes..

Think the red seat was too much so put on an OG Viscount MX (Schwinn branded) seat and a set of Tange grips i had in my box of bits to balance it out a bit. Think it works well with the Black OG Tuffs. Have a set of red Kenda freestyle tyres on the way so will see what looks 'right' when they arrive. Maybe ...?

Bang on with the tyres. Comp 3 on front and freestyle on rear will look wicked.

ammacopij72 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2020, 04:09 PM »

few more tweeks but now finished

I've added as set of Hsin Lung Pro size CW style bars, a Nitto (laser)post, OG Kenda Freestyle tyres and a nice nos set of SM Mushies. now looks properly like the bikes i actually used to ride/see bitd

final spec:

Frame/Forks - Kuwahara KYZ (83)
Handlebars - Hsin Lung CW Pro Style
Stem - Suntour Powerstem
Seat - Viscount MX
Seat Post - Nitto
Seat Post Clamp - DC Dual Clamp
Crank - Takagi 175
Powerdisc - Chrome Tuf Neck
Chain Ring - NOS Sugino 45t
Pedals - Victor VP-555 DX style
Grips - SM Mushrooms
Headset - Tange MX2
Headset Lock - Tange LP-440
Brake Caliper (Rear) - Lee Chi MX1000a
Brake Lever - Shimano DX
Brake Cable - Clarks Powerglide
Brake Pads - Vans
wheels - 80s Skyway Tuff II
Tires - OG Kenda Freestyle
Freewheel - Shimano 16t
Chain - Izumi
Pads - Cali Lite

SDF · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2020, 08:03 PM »

Bang on, it looks wicked

Midschoolfool · « **Reply #22 on:** August 10, 2020, 09:06 PM »

Very cool. I trust you have the matching Vans?

Taipan · « **Reply #23 on:** August 10, 2020, 11:21 PM »

Nice job that

pillows always have to match the Duvet lol

not liking the Cw Bars tho preferred the other's never been a fan of CW's but did have a set as a kid and must admit if your going to ride her they do feel nice to ride? just don't like the look $:-\$