Author Topic: Kuwahara Nova - my first kuwei build..... (Read 9239 times)

cdt808 · « **on:** May 03, 2013, 09:05 PM »

So - after the completion of my sons anni aero pro, I have turned my attention to building something for me to ride with him. I have never owned a Kuwahara before but I'd seen so many gorgeous builds on rad I ended up 'needing' one

(I am a goose fan through and through and so this was a major change in direction for me!)

So - bought a nova f+f and a few nice bits for it and planned to use a set of alloy hubbed skyways that I had already. I know they look sweet with spokes, but in the last month or so of looking, I haven't seen anything suitable, and I know that I am not the only one looking. So, over the last few weeks I have been grabbing the odd five minutes here and there working on the tuffs and today gave the f+f a good clean.... think I have everything I need to build it so going to start this weekend....

can anyone tell me the age looking at the serial number?

Clean · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2013, 09:11 PM »

1983.

Stunning looking Frameset; great score!

Good luck with the build; shout me if you need parts for it as I have a few bits that are factory correct?

cdt808 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2013, 09:32 PM »

Quote from: Clean on May 03, 2013, 09:11 PM

1983.

Stunning looking Frameset; great score!

Good luck with the build; shout me if you need parts for it as I have a few bits that are factory correct?

thanks buddy!

F+F are real nice - little bit of chrome lifting where the rear brake fits, but other than that its super. If I am honest I am not entirely sure what factory correct would be for the bike (i know that tuffs aren't

) so if I list and put up some photos of what I have maybe you guys could advise me? Some of the parts I've bought are real nice and I think were above a nova in spec where as others are due to my preference in parts .....

for example, I do prefer MX1000's over any other brake so I have bought a genuine set in pretty good nick in chrome-black and tech 3's for it

can you point me in the direction of a spec list and any BITD photos?

Clean · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2013, 09:41 PM »

http://www.dreamgate.ne.jp/kuwahara/

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=1850.50

BMX1973 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2013, 09:45 PM »

Nice looking Nova F&F

cdt808 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2013, 10:49 PM »

Quote from: BMX1973 on May 03, 2013, 09:45 PM

Nice looking Nova F&F

thanks mate.

bit of a sh!t though.... just tried to fit the black headset that I'd bought (now that the missus has gone to bed

) and its too bastard small $:-\$ .....not going to get it built this weekend after all now as I'll have to find one that fits...... agghhh!

anyone point me in the direction of a black headset that'll fit??? thanks guys

Julian347 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2013, 07:38 AM »

Good luck with the build.

Still got my original 83 Nova. Use it as my rider. All original apart from tyres grips and pads and some of the decals. Use a cromo post and seat as I don't trust the Elina UL fibreglass with my weight these days.
Drop me a PM if you've got any questions on the spec

20to26 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2013, 07:56 PM »

Schweet - the skyways will look great

cdt808 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2013, 09:26 PM »

Quote from: 20to26 on May 04, 2013, 07:56 PM

Schweet - the skyways will look great

thanks mate.

so - popped into the lbs today, with not much hope of a 1" old school headeset .... but a 30 second rummage around in a box and hey presto! Was missing its top nut, but I already had a locking nut to go on anyway.... result!

so build back on again

not the black headset i planned but I reckon it still looks good

NORTY40 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2013, 12:16 AM »

Nice frameset that

If your after some bars , send JTSmooth a PM as he has some Hsin Lung bars which are virtually identical to the Kuwi Laser bars .... minus the stamping obviously

Looking forward to seeing it built up , Black and chrome always looks cool

cdt808 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2013, 08:58 AM »

Quote from: NORTY40 on May 05, 2013, 12:16 AM

Nice frameset that
If your after some bars , send JTSmooth a PM as he has some Hsin Lung bars which are virtually identical to the Kuwi Laser bars .... minus the stamping obviously
Looking forward to seeing it built up , Black and chrome always looks cool

thanks matey

bars - I have the original nova bars from this frame set mate

will polish em up and post pics later....

Vos · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2013, 06:00 PM »

This is going to be a beauty.

cdt808 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2013, 07:11 PM »

Quote from: Vos on May 05, 2013, 06:00 PM

This is going to be a beauty.

thanks bud

so - today I grabbed the odd few minutes when i could (in between normal weekend chores!) and set about polishing an cleaning parts ready to carry on with the build ...

win stem....

kuwahara stamped laserpost

nova bars - original to the f+f ...

and put together .....

cdt808 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2013, 08:18 PM »

so - it was the wife's birthday today so I was never going to get much done on the bike. Nice day out with the wife and kids though

I was dying to see it with the tuffs on though, so managed to put them on, take some photos and put it back before being noticed ....

BMX1973 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2013, 08:50 PM »

looking great so far

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2013, 10:36 PM »

Liking the look of that with Tuff's on

I must press on with mine sometime now

pickle · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2013, 07:51 AM »

chrome and black tuffs just look sooooo right

bodamus · « **Reply #17 on:** May 07, 2013, 03:55 PM »

Looks great

might be able to help out with a set of Tyres that are a little closer to the original IRC ones

CustardLips · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2013, 10:24 PM »

Looking good.

paulgreenall · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2013, 10:55 PM »

Thats looking great... Cant wait to see it finished..

Jaan · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2013, 05:48 PM »

Loving your build, clean and classic colour way

cdt808 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:37 PM »

thanks guys - really appreciated

I have now cleaned up, polished and fitted the levers and front caliper, but waiting for a new bolt for the rear..... then got to start work on the crank .....

Vos · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2013, 10:40 PM »

Loving this shot with the Tuffs

cdt808 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2013, 10:53 AM »

Quote from: Vos on May 16, 2013, 10:40 PM

Loving this shot with the Tuffs

thanks chap

so ...advice please guys....

I was planning on using an OPC and victor bear traps (black) but the crank isn't mint. I do have an 82 SR 3 piece which would polish up real nice though, but it would require me getting some more pedals.....

..... so what would suit do you thinkg guys?? an OK OPC/victors v's polished 82 SR 3 piece/? pedals..... help .... $:-\$