Author Topic: 1983 Kuwahara Laserlite (Read 7034 times)

Mikku · « **on:** September 22, 2014, 01:44 PM »

So after a 30-year wait to get one and another 9 months of deliberation and parts-gathering, I’ve finally got my ’83 Laserlite up and running. It’s non-factory spec, is sporting a dent on the right rear stay and some of the chrome has seen better days but I flippin’ love it!

Given the condition of the frameset and the fact that it was raced over in Massachusetts bitd, I wanted to go for the survivor racer look and apart from the new Panaracer tyres and tubes, Izumi chain, Shimano inner cable and Nitto layback, everything is from the 80s. I particularly like the battle-scarred Haro Tech plate that I also picked up from the States, although the stickers are my additions! The Laserlite's black and chrome colour scheme is a classic but I wanted to add a little bit of red to accent the red of the Kuwahara decals. It’s not the finished article as a few parts need replacing including the freewheel and the no-name bars, plus I’m also going to see what it looks like with a bit (but not too much) more red on it, probably just the chainwheel. In the meantime, I’m just going to enjoy living (and riding) the dream!

Here’s the build thread:-
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,170336.0.html

Here’s the pre-build shot:-

& here, back home on Japanese soil after 30 odd years in the States, are some post-build shots, the first batch with the bike in street mode and the second batch with it dressed up with pads and plate in ready-to-race mode. Hope you like ‘em:-

Parts list

Laserlite KZ-83 frame – made by Tange in March 1983.
Laserlite forks
Tange Beartrap headset
Suntour Power stem
Suntour headlock
No-name bars (Japan stamped) - since replaced with used MCS Pro bars
Tange grips
Dia-Compe Tech 3 brake lever
Dia-Compe MX1000 rear caliper
Clark’s Powerglide rear outer brake cable with new Shimano inner
ACS Z-pads (NOS)
Suntour “broken arrow” seat post clamp
Nitto seat post (re-issue)
Shotgun 2 seat
ACS Z-rims
GT hubs
Asahi spokes
Panaracer Knarler Knobby 20 x 1.75 tyres (re-issue) with Panaracer tubes (new)
Takagi 180mm opc
Tange BB
SR Spider
Sugino chainwheel (44t)
Izumi chain (re-issue)
Suntour freewheel (16t) - since replaced with a used Shimano MX-30
MKS BN10 pedals - since replaced with used Shimano PDMX-15s
Haro Tech number plate
California Lite padset - matching red padset replaced by the og black Kuwahara stem pad and non-Kuwi frame and bar pads
Dice caps - used if I fancy a bit more red!

& last but not least, thanks to all the Radsters who have helped me out with parts, advice and inspiration – all very much appreciated.

phantom photon · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2014, 01:50 PM »

Nice work

BMX1973 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2014, 02:34 PM »

Great build. Lovely rider. Enjoy. Would like that myself.

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2014, 02:58 PM »

That is beautiful

I love the little touches of red and would leave just as it is. May I suggest some red caged KKT Lightenings instead of a chainwheel if you want to add more

Great build and enjoy the ride buddy

Jaypeg · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2014, 03:12 PM »

Super cool

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2014, 03:13 PM »

That is really nice mate.

dancetothedrummersbeat · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2014, 10:58 PM »

Very nice. Looks fast! That Shot Gun II gives it that extra bit of va va voom!

Natsukashi · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2014, 10:54 PM »

Looks brilliant Mick!

Mikku · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2014, 02:25 PM »

Thanks for the comments guys!

I thought I'd try a Shotgun for a change and really like it, so thanks to Vos for that!

KKT peds would be nice but the MKS were much cheaper (bought off eBay in the US), though are a little more faded than I was hoping for, but you can't win 'em all!

Here's a better pic of them:-

BMX1973 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2014, 06:03 PM »

MKS pedals are

Mikku · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2014, 10:55 AM »

Yeah, I like 'em too!

I've just been browsing through the Kuwi museum on here and found this advert posted by glenboy:-

I had no idea that Kuwis ever came with Z rims as standard, and although it was a different model, I now feel more reassured about having them on the Laserlite!

MartyC · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2014, 05:25 AM »

Nice

Cookiemonster1 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2014, 10:45 PM »

Mikku
Sweet ride...After finding mine I have spent countless visits to your build thread for comparison and to give me a bit of non OE vision!
I am really liking the red anno...just sets it off and marks it out against the catalogue builds...not that I mind that but BITD my bikes stayed standard for a few weeks max so these builds are a reflection of that.
Mine will be coming in under £100 including respoking the arayas as there are a few rogue spokes!
Its a keeper tho so cost is not on my radar!

Mikku · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2014, 11:30 AM »

Glad you like it!

Am really looking forward to see what you do with yours, though I still can't believe how much (or rather, how little) you paid for it!!

monkian · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2014, 11:42 AM »

Love it. Looks like it could have been a genuine BITD find

Mikku · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2014, 06:35 AM »

Cheers Paul!

Went out for a spin yesterday and I flippin' love how this bike rides! That said, the dodgy freewheel is really starting to annoy me now, so if anyone has a suitable replacement going spare, drop me a PM!

Mikku · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2015, 03:16 PM »

That dodgy ol' freewheel has now been replaced and a few other small changes made!

More details here with some updated pics:- http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=184328.msg1849739#msg1849739

oldscool · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2015, 09:06 PM »

love a survivor

HUTCHMAN · « **Reply #18 on:** September 22, 2015, 09:53 PM »

nice build Mick !!

CustardLips · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2015, 08:00 PM »

Get some pics up Mick... I think you had it bang on before tbh but wouldn't mind another look.

Mikku · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2015, 02:44 PM »

Quote from: CustardLips on September 28, 2015, 08:00 PM

Get some pics up Mick... I think you had it bang on before tbh but wouldn't mind another look.

All here mate:- http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,184328.msg1849739.html#msg1849739

Have a butcher's and lmk what you think!

HUTCHMAN · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2015, 07:55 PM »

Hope your neighbors across the street don't mind the porn shots being taken in their parking area Mick

factory pilot · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2015, 08:41 AM »

Lovin' the pads and the plate ... Those little extras make it for me ... I loved all the cool accessories bitd!

Andy68 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 30, 2015, 11:05 AM »

Lovely that is Mick.

Must confess tho to knowing absolutely nothing about Kuwis & the different models, you've nailed the survivor look, that I do know.

Mikku · « **Reply #24 on:** September 30, 2015, 02:48 PM »

Thanks for the comments guys!

Quote from: HUTCHMAN on September 29, 2015, 07:55 PM

Hope your neighbors across the street don't mind the porn shots being taken in their parking area Mick

One man's porn is another middle aged man's harmless photographs of a child's bike!! That said, I certainly get a few odd looks when I'm taking snaps of the Kuwi around and about the place!

Here's a pic of the older pads that are now on it:-

The lighting's a bit crap but they're not a bad match in terms of colour, age and condition.

Author Topic: 1983 Kuwahara Laserlite (Read 7034 times)

monkian