This summer there was an advert on good old Gumtree with a few blurred pics of a black BMX titled retro BMX rare in Brixton!!!! I could tell from the pics that it looked like it had a couple of nice bits on it but was very hard to tell what it was so I emailed asking to view it. I heard nothing for 2 weeks then got an email out of the blue saying when could I come. I called the lady back and had a brief conversation in which she said had lots of emails on the bike but they were all asking the same thing regarding the make and model, as I was the only one who hadn't asked I was the only one who got an email back. I swiftly mad my way to Brixton. I saw the bike and it was in tatty survivor condition but having a Tange frame, Win stem and Ukai speedlines I was sure it was Kuwi due to the decal on the bars so handed the spondoolies over immediately and came back a very happy man. I then set about stripping it down for refurb along with my 2 year old getting in on the action.
I decided to go the whole way with this one as it was pretty complete and still had all its original components from new bar the tyres, decals and padset!!!
Every part needed to be done with no exception
Here is the spec now
1983 Kuwahara Nova Tange Frame and Forks acid dipped and powdered black and then lacquered with New Decals
Original Kuwahara Bars Re-Chromed and new decal (incorrect I know)
NOS OGK Grips (unsure what came on these from new as the originals were like tar on the bars!!!
New Esemdesign Padset
Original Kashimax seat refurbed by Russ_J With original guts polished and Retrospect Decals
Original Kuwahara Seat post rechromed (not in pics as I bought a copy laser post)
Original Suntour Arrow Clamp hand polished
Original WIN stem re-annodised with all 5 original bolts Re-Chromed
Original Headset Re-Chromed
Original Tioga Bottom Bracket Re-Zinc'd
Original Crank Re-Satin Chromed
Original Chainring Powderd Black with Original Bolts
NOS Tioga Spider
NOS KKT pedals same as original
NOS IZUMI Chain
Mint Chrome Shimano 333
NOS Ukai Speedlines laced to NOS Suzue Low flange Hubs ( I have had the original Ukai speedline wheels and Suntour hubbs which have all been re-anno'd ready for lacing
NOS Fat/Thin Combo Mitsuboshi Rainbow label Comp III's
Original Brake Levers Powder Coated black with new hardware
Original Brake Callipers powder coated black, original springs re-zinc'd with new hardware included new Dia-Compe cable pulls, new retrospect MX decals and new chang star decals
NOS Dia-Compe Brake pads
The brakes are an unknown brand but are the ones it left the shop with so I added the chang star decals just as a finishing touch
Dia-Compe cable clips
Here is the work in progress
And the finished article.... I have to say this is my favourite build so far.......It is ooooooooozing originality the way it came from the shop or as near as damn it....have you seen one like this before?
