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RADBMX.CO.UK  |  Technical & Reference Section  |  Tech and Restoration  |  Tribute Kuwahara Build
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Author Topic: Tribute Kuwahara Build  (Read 6122 times)

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Offline Swivel

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Tribute Kuwahara Build
« on: June 27, 2020, 05:34 PM »
Hi all. I got this frame on the bay recently for ?70 and I love the look of it, very similar to a Kuwi KE1 with the dropouts but also the gusset, which is like a Tange Rhino as it's a double gusset. I've already got a Tange Rhino so thought i'd do something with this.

So I found some forks in the stash and then got the heat gun out and removed the decals.







The chrome is pretty shot so I intend to clean it up the best I can, then with a scotch pad, lightly rough it up and then spray it with VHT Blue Paint.

I will post up more pics soon after the spray job.

Aim with it is to get something kinda like this...



Ta

Matt  :daumenhoch:
« Last Edit: June 27, 2020, 07:08 PM by Swivel »

Offline P J Tunni

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2020, 06:32 PM »
Bargain at ?70, looks a good frame for a nice little project. Any idea what it actually is? 🤔

Offline Taipan

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2020, 06:49 PM »
Should work out cool for a tribute and not gonna break the bank either  :daumenhoch: btw the VHT paint is more like a glass paint so may show up more imperfections unless the f+f set is super smooth to start?  ???

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2020, 06:53 PM »
Should work out cool for a tribute and not gonna break the bank either  :daumenhoch: btw the VHT paint is more like a glass paint so may show up more imperfections unless the f+f set is super smooth to start?  ???

Hi. I did think that too, so might have to try another paint instead and leave the VHT for the calipers  :daumenhoch:

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2020, 06:56 PM »
Bargain at ?70, looks a good frame for a nice little project. Any idea what it actually is? 🤔

Hi mate, I was surprised no one else bid on it? Not sure what the frame is, welds are good and neat, very Tange like  ;)

Offline Midschoolfool

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2020, 07:15 PM »
Love seeing stuff like this. It doesn't have to cost fortunes to be tons of fun.

Offline bobafett

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2020, 04:58 AM »

I saw that for sale Matt and had a quick sniff about to see what it could be. Thought it might be tange looking at the gusset but the dropouts weren't right - couldn't determine an identity for it. Bargain little frame though mate !

If you wanna use the VHT paint couldn't you put a slilver primer underneath first ?  :-\

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Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2020, 10:55 AM »

I saw that for sale Matt and had a quick sniff about to see what it could be. Thought it might be tange looking at the gusset but the dropouts weren't right - couldn't determine an identity for it. Bargain little frame though mate !

If you wanna use the VHT paint couldn't you put a slilver primer underneath first ?  :-\

Hi mate. Yeah it's very much like a Tange frame, very light, good welding, nicely finished. I've bought some metallic paint Rust Oleum in blue, so hopefully that will arrive this week and I can get spraying it.

Kind regards

Matt  :daumenhoch:

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2020, 10:56 AM »
Love seeing stuff like this. It doesn't have to cost fortunes to be tons of fun.

That's true, I thought for the money and especially the quality of the frame, it was worth a punt.  :smitten:

Offline Taipan

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2020, 11:22 AM »
Is that blue bike you use for reference a real kuwi? the dropouts look Tange like a Yamaha BYZ or Akibo but it looks like the gusset is a single plate in the middle? I know its not your bike just looking and thinking at it?  ???

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2020, 01:22 PM »
Is that blue bike you use for reference a real kuwi? the dropouts look Tange like a Yamaha BYZ or Akibo but it looks like the gusset is a single plate in the middle? I know its not your bike just looking and thinking at it?  ???

Yeah it's a KE-1 version.

https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/kuwahara/47945
https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/search?company%5B0%5D=50&model=1580

That's a 1979 Kuwi, so not the typical dropouts as we are used to seeing.

Kind regards

Matt  :daumenhoch:

Offline Picklez

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2020, 09:57 PM »
Some super cool builds coming online recently, which is fantastic to see. That sure is a lovely looking frame, great grab, and looking forward to seeing her come together  :popcorn:
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Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2020, 03:44 PM »
Update, paint has arrived but outside isn't looking too good  :( but if it doesn't rain after 7pm this evening, I will get painting it but I think there's too much moisture in the air.

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2020, 05:20 PM »
Ok the weather was kind to me for at least 40 minutes so I prepped the frame with a scotch pad and then used this Rust Oleum paint, which I think is a nice blue, not solid like that Kuwi in the photo but I wanted something more metallic anyway.











I gave the frame a good 2 coats of paint and I think it's turned out ok.

 :daumenhoch:

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #14 on: June 30, 2020, 05:40 PM »
Del's decals should be with me ASAP so i'll get it stickered up. The photos don't really show off the paint that well, it sparkles a bit, just brought it indoors under the LED lights and it shines lovely.

Once it dries, i'll get some indoor shots once the decals are on.

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #15 on: June 30, 2020, 06:30 PM »
I'm toying with the idea to lacquer it or leave it as is, the finish is like a Satin to Matt finish, not glossy at all so wondering if I should lacquer it tomorrow. Hmm 🤔

Offline P J Tunni

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #16 on: June 30, 2020, 06:39 PM »
I like the colour! it does look very metallic, not as blue as the kuwi (if you know what mean)  :crazy2: but this is gonna look cool I reckon  fistblump

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #17 on: June 30, 2020, 07:08 PM »
I like the colour! it does look very metallic, not as blue as the kuwi (if you know what mean)  :crazy2: but this is gonna look cool I reckon  fistblump

It's like a metallic blue gun metal style if that makes sense 😀 just not sure whether to lacquer it or not... Weather has improved so might do it later...

Offline BMX1973

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #18 on: June 30, 2020, 07:19 PM »
That is a cool build.  8) What is also cool is the jig you made up - I like that. :daumenhoch:

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #19 on: June 30, 2020, 07:44 PM »
Ok I went and lacquered it. Looks loads better. I'll get some pics up tomorrow once the headset is in 👍

Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #20 on: June 30, 2020, 07:45 PM »
That is a cool build.  8) What is also cool is the jig you made up - I like that. :daumenhoch:

Cheers! Just had to improvise for the jig :D

Offline NORTY40

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #21 on: June 30, 2020, 09:09 PM »
If it's a metallic paint ?.. it will only show its true colour once lacquered.  ie it needs laquer ?? good to hear you have  ;) 8)

Looking good Matt  8) :daumenhoch:
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Offline bobafett

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #22 on: June 30, 2020, 10:05 PM »

Old school RADsters building and old school RADsters replying  :smitten: :4_17_5:

Paint looks ace Matt  :coolsmiley:

Now let's see her lubed up.... I mean lacquered up  :bellend:

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Offline Retrodan72

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #23 on: June 30, 2020, 10:14 PM »
Great job Matt, looking forward to your next installment


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Offline Swivel

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Re: Tribute Kuwahara Build
« Reply #24 on: June 30, 2020, 10:21 PM »
If it's a metallic paint ?.. it will only show its true colour once lacquered.  ie it needs laquer ?? good to hear you have  ;) 8)

Looking good Matt  8) :daumenhoch:

Hi mate. Yeah it looks better lacquered. It was a satin finish but needed that extra glow.  :daumenhoch:

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