Author Topic: Tribute Kuwahara Build (Read 13431 times)

Swivel · « **on:** June 27, 2020, 05:34 PM »

Hi all. I got this frame on the bay recently for ?70 and I love the look of it, very similar to a Kuwi KE1 with the dropouts but also the gusset, which is like a Tange Rhino as it's a double gusset. I've already got a Tange Rhino so thought i'd do something with this.

So I found some forks in the stash and then got the heat gun out and removed the decals.

The chrome is pretty shot so I intend to clean it up the best I can, then with a scotch pad, lightly rough it up and then spray it with VHT Blue Paint.

I will post up more pics soon after the spray job.

Aim with it is to get something kinda like this...

Ta

Matt

P J Tunni · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2020, 06:32 PM »

Bargain at ?70, looks a good frame for a nice little project. Any idea what it actually is? 🤔

Taipan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2020, 06:49 PM »

Should work out cool for a tribute and not gonna break the bank either

btw the VHT paint is more like a glass paint so may show up more imperfections unless the f+f set is super smooth to start?

Swivel · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2020, 06:53 PM »

Quote from: Taipan on June 27, 2020, 06:49 PM

Should work out cool for a tribute and not gonna break the bank either btw the VHT paint is more like a glass paint so may show up more imperfections unless the f+f set is super smooth to start?

Hi. I did think that too, so might have to try another paint instead and leave the VHT for the calipers

Swivel · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2020, 06:56 PM »

Quote from: P J Tunni on June 27, 2020, 06:32 PM

Bargain at ?70, looks a good frame for a nice little project. Any idea what it actually is? 🤔

Hi mate, I was surprised no one else bid on it? Not sure what the frame is, welds are good and neat, very Tange like

Midschoolfool · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2020, 07:15 PM »

Love seeing stuff like this. It doesn't have to cost fortunes to be tons of fun.

bobafett · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2020, 04:58 AM »

I saw that for sale Matt and had a quick sniff about to see what it could be. Thought it might be tange looking at the gusset but the dropouts weren't right - couldn't determine an identity for it. Bargain little frame though mate !

If you wanna use the VHT paint couldn't you put a slilver primer underneath first ? $:-\$

Swivel · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2020, 10:55 AM »

Quote from: bobafett on June 29, 2020, 04:58 AM

I saw that for sale Matt and had a quick sniff about to see what it could be. Thought it might be tange looking at the gusset but the dropouts weren't right - couldn't determine an identity for it. Bargain little frame though mate !

If you wanna use the VHT paint couldn't you put a slilver primer underneath first ? $:-\$

Hi mate. Yeah it's very much like a Tange frame, very light, good welding, nicely finished. I've bought some metallic paint Rust Oleum in blue, so hopefully that will arrive this week and I can get spraying it.

Kind regards

Matt

Swivel · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2020, 10:56 AM »

Quote from: Midschoolfool on June 28, 2020, 07:15 PM

Love seeing stuff like this. It doesn't have to cost fortunes to be tons of fun.

That's true, I thought for the money and especially the quality of the frame, it was worth a punt.

Taipan · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2020, 11:22 AM »

Is that blue bike you use for reference a real kuwi? the dropouts look Tange like a Yamaha BYZ or Akibo but it looks like the gusset is a single plate in the middle? I know its not your bike just looking and thinking at it?

Swivel · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2020, 01:22 PM »

Quote from: Taipan on June 29, 2020, 11:22 AM

Is that blue bike you use for reference a real kuwi? the dropouts look Tange like a Yamaha BYZ or Akibo but it looks like the gusset is a single plate in the middle? I know its not your bike just looking and thinking at it?

Yeah it's a KE-1 version.

https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/kuwahara/47945
https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/search?company%5B0%5D=50&model=1580

That's a 1979 Kuwi, so not the typical dropouts as we are used to seeing.

Kind regards

Matt

Picklez · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2020, 09:57 PM »

Some super cool builds coming online recently, which is fantastic to see. That sure is a lovely looking frame, great grab, and looking forward to seeing her come together

Swivel · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2020, 03:44 PM »

Update, paint has arrived but outside isn't looking too good

but if it doesn't rain after 7pm this evening, I will get painting it but I think there's too much moisture in the air.

Swivel · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2020, 05:20 PM »

Ok the weather was kind to me for at least 40 minutes so I prepped the frame with a scotch pad and then used this Rust Oleum paint, which I think is a nice blue, not solid like that Kuwi in the photo but I wanted something more metallic anyway.

I gave the frame a good 2 coats of paint and I think it's turned out ok.

Swivel · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2020, 05:40 PM »

Del's decals should be with me ASAP so i'll get it stickered up. The photos don't really show off the paint that well, it sparkles a bit, just brought it indoors under the LED lights and it shines lovely.

Once it dries, i'll get some indoor shots once the decals are on.

Swivel · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:30 PM »

I'm toying with the idea to lacquer it or leave it as is, the finish is like a Satin to Matt finish, not glossy at all so wondering if I should lacquer it tomorrow. Hmm 🤔

P J Tunni · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2020, 06:39 PM »

I like the colour! it does look very metallic, not as blue as the kuwi (if you know what mean)

but this is gonna look cool I reckon

Swivel · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2020, 07:08 PM »

Quote from: P J Tunni on June 30, 2020, 06:39 PM

I like the colour! it does look very metallic, not as blue as the kuwi (if you know what mean) but this is gonna look cool I reckon

It's like a metallic blue gun metal style if that makes sense 😀 just not sure whether to lacquer it or not... Weather has improved so might do it later...