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BMX General => BMX Chat => Topic started by: BMX1973 on January 04, 2015, 06:28 PM
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What model Kuwahara is this? :-\ Not seen one like this before. Not doubting the seller as they seem to sell a lot of nice stuff. Just unusual looking with an odd looking serial. :-\ :daumenhoch:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291338455805?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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It's a Koizumi made Laserlite. My Laserlite serial is KGC (83) The D being an 84. I have also seen some KZ1's with KGA and KGB being 81's and 82's.
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Learn something new everyday. :)
Thought they would all start with a T and all be made in the same place. I've seen the KZ-1 with this type of serial but never a Laserlite. The brake bridge looks above the tubes and not in the middle. Not seen that either before. :-\
A lot of money at £1k. Although suppose it is NOS.
:daumenhoch:
It's a Koizumi made Laserlite. My Laserlite serial is KGC (83) The D being an 84. I have also seen some KZ1's with KGA and KGB being 81's and 82's.
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That's Earls old stuff, biggest old collection known......
He / his executors have been selling bits for years, and all quality stuff ! I guarantee
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Yeah, I've bought off them, spot on to deal with.
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.......sold
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Did you buy it? ???
.......sold
They do sell some nice stuff. :)
That's Earls old stuff, biggest old collection known......
He / his executors have been selling bits for years, and all quality stuff ! I guarantee
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Is the brake bridge right though for a Laserlite? Missing the Laserlite decal too. :-\
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So I wonder what's the story behind Koizumi making them? Perhaps Kuwahara asked both Koizumi and Tange to make the initial batches to begin with, then settled on Tange. I'm guessing Ian from Natsukashi will know with his contacts. I'll PM him now. :daumenhoch:
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the japans love those versions and i sold one years ago for about 350 and that was before prices went stupid . rare frames
oh and mine went to japan as well
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As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
Koizumi still has a huge chroming tank that they used for all the makers frames they produced like the DB Silver streak, and HL Turbo etc (see it here: Koizumi Factory (http://www.natsukashi.jpn.com/en/blog/koizumi-factory))
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8) :coolsmiley:
As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
Koizumi still has a huge chroming tank that they used for all the makers frames they produced like the DB Silver streak, and HL Turbo etc (see it here: Koizumi Factory (http://www.natsukashi.jpn.com/en/blog/koizumi-factory))
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Great info from Japan. Cheers.
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As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
Thanks for the reply Ian! :bow:
So let me get this straight in my little mind - all the "Tange-made" frames that we know and love (Laserlite et al) are actually Tange tubing welded up by Koizumi and/or Tokyo Kogyo???
Btw Ian, we should meet up for a beer and/or a spin on the Kuwis soon! :daumenhoch:
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As far as I know Tange did not make the frames (information I got from the Kuwahara family one night while drinking, err I mean a meeting) . The tubes, hangers and drop-outs were all Tange for sure but the two welding and finishing shops were Koizumi and Tokyo Kogyo. A friend of mine Hiroshi Takahashi (Japan Kuwahara factory team in 1980s) told me that Tokyo Kogyo would send out containers full of frames every other day. Maybe demand just required 2 welding shops. This is why early 80's Cycle Pro Bonzai's look similar to Kuwahara's: same Tange tubes and drop-outs and probably one of the same welding shops.
Thanks for the reply Ian! :bow:
So let me get this straight in my little mind - all the "Tange-made" frames that we know and love (Laserlite et al) are actually Tange tubing welded up by Koizumi and/or Tokyo Kogyo???
Btw Ian, we should meet up for a beer and/or a spin on the Kuwis soon! :daumenhoch:
Happy New Year Mick! Too cold for spinning but a beer sounds favorite!
Re frames, yes that's right as far as I know. I am quite sure the forks were made by Tange (that or the forks were complete without the drop-outs which were welded by Koizumi or Tokyo-kogyo) but the frames were not welded by them ordinarily. I have met the owner of Tokyo Kogyo and of course I know Koizumi-san so I know those two were the primary welders and finishers - there may have been others over the years. I think Tokyo-Kogyo may have done more since I know Koizumi were busy with the Diamond Back frames and later Trick-stars and some Raleigh Burner models, to name a few.
Cheers!
:daumenhoch:
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Just found this; Kuwahara Serial number guide. :daumenhoch:
http://www.kuwahara-bmx.com/kuwahara-frame-and-fork-serial-number-identification/
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Just seen this go back up for sale. I thought it sold! :-\ Price drop from £1k to £660 plus post :) Still too much. :( Lovely example though for a collector. :daumenhoch:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-VINTAGE-1980s-KUWAHARA-CHROME-BMX-SURV-KZ-LT-FREESTYLE-FRAME-FORK-W-BOX-/291351212232?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43d5e2b0c8
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I hope someone on RAD buys it. I just can't afford it myself. :(