BMXMUSEUM.com Forums

ShinobiKE-1 · RSS feed for topic

1979 Kuwahara KE-1

The Kuwahara model KE-1 is very rare due to its' limited production and endurance testing for future design innovation... In fact the first model KZ-1 has the KE-1 rear drop outs and KE-1 forks!

My Components are listed below: Frame and Fork: Tange Chrome-moly tubing, TIG welded Bars: Redline stamped V-bar Micro Line 23" end to end Grips: Mushroom Pro, the OGKs did not make it in time from Hong Kong Stem: SunTour power stem (forged aluminum) Wheels: Ukai Shinny-side Box rims Tires: IRC BMX Racer Skinwalls I wish.... Cheng Shin biggie/smalls had yellow Comp III but wrong year Hubs: SunTour loose ball bearing High-Flange Spokes: Asahi .80/36 Valve Caps: Home made style dice & Suntour Axle Nuts Crank: SunTour V/X crank 170mm with suntour end caps Front Sprocket: SunTour 44T Aluminum yup! Rear Sprocket: SunTour 16T Freewheel yup! Pedals: KKT Lightning alloy pedals aye, aye captain! Seat: Taihei Elina Super Pro leather seat just had a more mx look and more comfy! Seat post: Original Factory Powdered Laser post (not era correct) need a Nagaoka fluted ayone have one? Seat clamp: SunTour Brakes: Dia-Compe MX1000 w/ Wheels N Things Finkelman Bent Lever! This build is for all the people that love OS KUWAHARA and BMX bikes!

troy · 2007-09-06 12:47pm

That's a beautiful bike!!!!

Tonioseven · 2007-09-06 12:51pm

Hmmm..... I see a defect, you should send that "imperfect" bike to me! Seriously, that is an awesome piece of BMX history!

shivadread · 2007-09-07 3:36am

That is stunning, one of the best Kuwi's I've seen and as said before a piece of history

old school nut · 2007-09-07 3:42am

GOOD JOB MATE CANT TAKE MY EYEZ OF IT
CHEERS.

QuicksilverBMX · 2007-09-07 4:09am

Mate that is a great build! I have one of these frame/forks as well that I will be restoring

BMXKID4EVER · 2007-09-07 9:09am

very nice.

Ournumberswillrise · 2007-09-07 10:23am

Wow nice colorways.

Kane · 2007-09-07 1:04pm

Amazing Kuwi. Nice work.

ShinobiKE-1 · 2007-09-09 1:18am

Thank you, I appreciate your comments! I built this bike for the Kuwahara bike fans and all Old School BMXer's that might know what this model meant to BMX innovation! Please leave any ideas and comments for me as I am currently making changes to this bike to be period and more correct parts back to manufacturer. spec.. I will post new pics soon, waiting for grips, nagaoka flutted post, correct brake cable, yellow comp II tires, Ukai shiney side wheels and Kuwahara polished Suntour hubs, Yellow 1979 Elina Tahei seat. Check back for updated pics if you wish.

Thanks Again and Keep your freewheels spinin', Peace!

ShinobiKE-1

Last edited by ShinobiKE-1 (2007-09-11 8:13am)

bikemike · 2007-11-21 5:39pm

My bud from back in the day still has his and all original parts, cannot get him to part with it. He has this crazy idea of his kid racing the bike!!
Offered to buy him a new one and he is going to use the Kuwahara. Nuts....

Gtcompe · 2007-12-24 7:00am

stunning

Clothespin 'n · 2007-12-24 10:02pm

Perfect!!

enough said!

Cheers Bro,
Kev.

polanco · 2007-12-25 8:51am

kuwahara was my first love as a kid.they were the biggest brand here in dominican republic,and thousands were sold here,I've only been able to find an e.t recently,but the laserlites and kz's are hiding,Indiana jones,come to my aid!(loL).dude,seriously,dont ever sell that bike!

polanco · 2007-12-25 8:56am

Is that a 1985 laser post?what was the original color?man,I cant get over the tremendous work you have done,jeez!

D.T.L.flyKUWA · 2008-02-04 1:14pm

Awesome one of my favorite......

vuekid · 2008-03-29 7:45pm

damn, watch that water and those rocks!!..sheesh one wrong move....and splash!...but seriously, brilliant work on that kuwi, wish it was mine:(

ShinobiKE-1 · 2008-05-17 11:29pm

polanco wrote:
Is that a 1985 laser post?what was the original color?man,I cant get over the tremendous work you have done,jeez!

Yes it is a Laserpost stamped which was imported from Kuwahara Germany NOS coated brass gold, had to have it and built the bike around it. The original color was black, a few traces of it were left when I got the frame set. I waited 2 years for parts and decals rounded up and built it as you see it.

Since this pic. I built it up as the factory catalog showed it with yellow Comp III. and Yellow Elina Seat but I plan to re-re-build it back to the way it looked in the photos here. The colors pull from each other and flow better.

Thanks and yes I still have and plan to keep it for a very very long time. Hard times are over for now.

Mike

Crunchie · 2008-06-21 9:52pm

Wow! I remember seeing a bike like this on a japanese trade exhibition ship that visted New Zealand when I was a kid about 1979. BMX didn't even really start in NZ till 1980. So this bike was just unreal to a 13 year old at the time. I don't think my parent's really understood how much I "needed" that bike. And I couldn't understand why they couldn't just sell our house to get one for me.

polanco · 2008-06-22 6:44pm

cool,thanks for the info,that kuwie should be a keeper,no matter what!

Redcap · 2008-06-22 8:21pm

Awesome bike!

JoeKat · 2008-08-07 6:23am

Wow, you have an amazing bike Mike. Have you changed any components since you first posted pics? I'd love to see more pictures.

Dukeman5 · 2008-10-28 3:42pm

Incredible condition! Back in the day I think this was easily the best race bike I ever road. It blew my Redlines and Rippers away. It was perfect for everything.