Author Topic: Help identifying Kuwahara frame (Read 9357 times)

Candellara · « **on:** April 15, 2019, 09:44 AM »

Hi chaps.

Trying to find out about a Tange frame stickered Kuwahara

as per title, frame number is T4J2044

the frame is chrome with no gusset. Is this a Nova frame?

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2019, 09:58 AM »

Quote from: Candellara on April 15, 2019, 09:44 AM

Hi chaps.

Trying to find out about a Tange frame stickered Kuwahara

as per title, frame number is T4J2044

the frame is chrome with no gusset. Is this a Nova frame?

It’s hard to say without a picture. It’s definitely a 1984. Is the tubing round or oval?

It could possibly be a Laserlite.

Candellara · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2019, 11:35 AM »

Picture attached

Candellara · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2019, 11:37 AM »

This is the description:

New old stock 1984 tange made kuwahara frame serial T4J2044

It doesn't say which model Kuwahara - serial numbers T4 relate to 24"?

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2019, 11:50 AM »

Quote from: Candellara on April 15, 2019, 11:37 AM

This is the description:

New old stock 1984 tange made kuwahara frame serial T4J2044

It doesn't say which model Kuwahara - serial numbers T4 relate to 24"?

A Kuwahara cruiser I think mate, I’m not sure if they had a name as such. Defo not a Nova as they only had a single hole drilled in the rear dropouts and were looptail.

BMX1973 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2019, 12:11 PM »

T4J2044 - relates to TANGE 1984 OCTOBER, 2044th made frame in that month/year.

If it has Tange Japan on bottom bracket it would be a Raleigh Aero Pro frame.

I can not tell from the picture what frame it is 24" or 20". Do you have a link?

Is the brake bridge flat or oval tube? Are the rear dropouts double thickness? Do you know the Top Tube length?

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2019, 12:24 PM »

Quote from: BMX1973 on April 15, 2019, 12:11 PM

T4J2044 - relates to TANGE 1984 OCTOBER, 2044th made frame in that month/year.

If it has Tange Japan on bottom bracket it would be a Raleigh Aero Pro frame.

I can not tell from the picture what frame it is 24" or 20". Do you have a link?

Is the brake bridge flat or oval tube? Are the rear dropouts double thickness? Do you know the Top Tube length?

I’d say 24” judging by that rear triangle

Candellara · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2019, 01:19 PM »

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nos-tange-kuwahara-mini-expert-frame-old-school-bmx/254196699338'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Spen69 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2019, 01:49 PM »

I'm gonna go with it being a 20" Mini frame. The BB shell isn't a USA size one which is what's confusing

Bet the TT is about 13.5" - 14.5" so let us know when it lands

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2019, 01:54 PM »

Quote from: Spen69 on April 15, 2019, 01:49 PM

I'm gonna go with it being a 20" Mini frame. The BB shell isn't a USA size one which is what's confusing

Bet the TT is about 13.5" - 14.5" so let us know when it lands

I think you’re right Spen, the seat tube looks too short to be a cruiser.

Candellara · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2019, 02:36 PM »

Seller has said the following:

Hi think it s expert size so 20 skinny wheels tyres normally

P J Tunni · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2019, 02:54 PM »

There's a couple of mini's on the museum that look the same, and this catalogue from 83 has a pic of one on the bottom right.

Candellara · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2019, 03:04 PM »

Thanks - much appreciated

Spen69 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2019, 04:20 PM »

Ive got a spare pair of NOS 1-1/8" black skinwall Panaracer tyres if you're stuck - same as on my son's race bike here

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BMX1973 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2019, 05:07 PM »

Good point, did not notice that when looking on phone

Quote from: Spen69 on April 15, 2019, 01:49 PM

I'm gonna go with it being a 20" Mini frame. The BB shell isn't a USA size one which is what's confusing

Bet the TT is about 13.5" - 14.5" so let us know when it lands

BMX1973 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2019, 05:29 PM »

At a glance those mini frames can look like cruisers.

Quote from: Retrodan72 on April 15, 2019, 12:24 PM

I’d say 24” judging by that rear triangle

Taipan · « **Reply #16 on:** April 15, 2019, 06:46 PM »

Most of the 80's mini Kuwahara frames had the seatclamp built in to the top like jmc's and threaded euro bb's this looks more like a Tange made expert frame (size down from a pro size frame) set that use's skinny wheels as mentioned above.....not seen many of these type of frame sets about but the young kids racin/freestyling for the Falcon Flyers bmx team used these bitd

Mikku · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2019, 11:36 AM »

Just to throw a spanner in the works but I think the T stands for Tokyo Kogyo, another Japanese frame builder who made lots of frames (including some of the earlier Laserlites and other Kuwaharas), often using Tange tubing. If it's actually a Tange-made frame then it should have the "Tange" stamping, for example, as the later Laserlites had on the BB.

Avro · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2019, 04:01 PM »

Did Tange actually make frames at all? Forks for sure but I have yet to see evidence of them making frames. All their catalogues list tubes sets only.

Quadog · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2019, 07:40 PM »

Loads of info on here

http://www.kuwahara-bmx.com/

Mikku · « **Reply #20 on:** April 18, 2019, 11:36 PM »

Perhaps "Natsukashi" will chime in as he's got various contacts in the Japanese bike industry.

Hootski70 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 08, 2019, 01:03 PM »

I had one of these a few years back ( was nos and may even be that very one ) If I remember right they have a narrow bb that I struggled to find a spindle for . There was definitely a reason it never got built ( not just the fact I had 30 odd builds in various stages ) . Who remembers the " I'm off to Australia mega sale

Spen69 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 08, 2019, 11:51 PM »

Blimey bruv, I thought you'd forgotten about this one

Good to see you back on Rad