Author Topic: Kuwahara ET BMX "The Replica" Survivor (Read 17789 times)

Clean · « **on:** February 28, 2013, 02:06 PM »

Some of you may recall one of my recent threads about the price of Kuwahara ETs?

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=158205.0

Well, you know how it goes sometimes, you find yourself browsing German eBay late on a Wednesday evening and stumble across an item that just cannot be allowed to escape. After several message exchanges with a pleasant film memorabilia collector called "Thorsten" I agree a BIN price for a beautiful survivor Kuwahara ET; the low end "Replica" rather than the fully specked "Original".

From the pictures I was sent I knew that the condition of this survivor was good, but only when it landed last week, and I was able to inspect it close up, was I really able to appreciate it, and OMFG is it in good condition.

The bike looks like it was ridden for six months in 1982 and then stored in someone's front room; I am yet to find a spot of rust on it save the bosses where the pedals screw into the cranks.

In terms of kit, the Chainguard and Reflectors are long gone (probably the day it was bought), and the rear tyre has been replaced, but absolutely everything else on the bike is genuine, authentic and original to the day it left the box. Sadly the OGK Grips were cut out to allow for travel of the Brake Levers, but I kind of like this as it adds to it's authenticity as a survivor.

Mechanically the bike is super tight everywhere and the wheels spin forever and are perfectly true. The only mechanical glitch is the pedal spindles, which are a bit loose, and as they are sealed cannot be cleaned and tightened, so I am on the lookout for a pair to replace them ahead of a public outing.

The paintwork has a few scratches and scrapes, as you would expect, but really is outstanding for the age, and I have yet to find any rust whatsoever. Decals have also seen better days, but are perfectly acceptable for the age, of particular note is the Championship Chro-Mo Foil on the Right Fork, the WIN BMX Foils on the Stem and Bars, and the original Bike German Shop Decal on the Top Tube.

When I say that the photographs really don't do this bike justice, I do not exaggerate; hopefully you will see it very soon at one of our 2013 wobbles.

So here is the specification for the 1982 Tange made Kuwahara ET "The Replica":

And a few piccies taken today under a fresh blue sky:

I know it might not be a super mintola resto of a drilled out Hot Heart with the correct, high end, NOS parts dripping of it, but that's why I love it; it's the real deal if a little ratty.

Now the question is "can I enter a bike I did not personally build in BOTM?"

kungfunky · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:10 PM »

First up...WOW thats in friggin awesome shape and theres NOTHING wrong with a survivor bike at all

Every bike has been done to a show standard and it's really nice to see a few more bikes in their original finish... As for BOTM. ?....gets my vote

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:10 PM »

That is excellent mate, a proper piece of history saved and gone to a good home.

Nice one Rich.

KeithyT · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:17 PM »

Excellent buy. I'm sure I sure this too on eBay a few weeks ago. Were the photos of it in a living room (vaguely remember it hanging up(?) at an angle).

The buzz around E.T. and these models were the first time I heard of Kuwahara back in the day. Loads of us wanted one in my neighbourhood.

beard1973 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:19 PM »

Lovely

CustardLips · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:30 PM »

Nice one.

brummie · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:30 PM »

thats ace
i would love that
nice one

Julian347 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:40 PM »

Nice one

Peter J · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:49 PM »

Rich

One word........WOW

WINI · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:54 PM »

Great find Rich, shame we can't get to see it in the flesh on Saturday

Lush

Andy68 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2013, 03:47 PM »

Hell, that's nice!!!!!!!

AKGOFF · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2013, 03:49 PM »

That looks in awesome shape Rich, top drawer mate.

As for entering it into BOTM...................................................No, i'm the only person allowed to enter a bike that hasn't been built by the submiter personally.

Jaan · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2013, 04:17 PM »

One word - jealous
Two words - incredibly jealous
Three words....

jimwise68 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2013, 04:33 PM »

yep it.

Survivors where its at.

BMX1973 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2013, 04:52 PM »

nice example that in original condition

NORTY40 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2013, 05:25 PM »

Great survivor Rich , love it

Gone to a good home aswell

In2 bmx · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2013, 05:29 PM »

Very very nice Rich .

Spen69 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2013, 05:51 PM »

Finally the secret is out

Love a survivor and this is lush. End of. Get it entered in the competition Rich and let's see how it fares against all those re-chromed show ponies mate. Can I ride it?

Gashead · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2013, 05:57 PM »

Wow !

Badbaldie · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2013, 05:58 PM »

very nice Rich

willo73 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2013, 06:09 PM »

Love it

hunterdubber · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2013, 06:17 PM »

What a score

One word Rich

"That's fookin' lovely "

Devilock · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2013, 06:22 PM »

Excellent score Rich.

I hope it came with a Frankfurter...!

Glynnyboy · « **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2013, 02:41 PM »

Great piece of history there Rich

Cleedubber · « **Reply #24 on:** March 01, 2013, 03:44 PM »

Love it

Give me a survivor any day

Author Topic: Kuwahara ET BMX "The Replica" Survivor (Read 17789 times)

Clean

In2 bmx