1983 Kuwahara KM-1 Mini
This is a “retired” Rider from my private collection – The Vintage Steel & Kuwahara BMX Museum. (The 2nd of approximately 60 vintage BMX ranging from 16”, 20” and 24” including BMX Scooters) I will reveal 1 BMX each Friday for the next year.
Original Koizumi Japan made chrome frame & Tange Japan made forks with a mix of Factory NOS (New Old Stock) and Original Used parts. Original head tube and seat post tube decals and Licensed reproduction fork and down tube decals by Vintage Steel BMX (@vintagesteelbmx).
I originally built this little guy for my son to ride around before the full 20” upgrade. So once he outgrew it, I swapped out the rider parts (that would normally get worn out) like the wheels, tires, crank set and pedals with these nicer newer rare parts and now it rests in the museum.
Tires?! I’m all about original and factory so when it comes to tires and Kuwaharas, IRCs are a must! And almost every build in my collection has them, except for this one unfortunately. Finding the IRC Racing 20 x 1 1/8” tires has been challenging or maybe it just wasn’t a priority at one point, but these NOS Tioga Comp 3 tires are still icing on the cake!
YearAugust 1983BrandKuwaharaModelKM-1 MiniSerial #KGCxxxx
Parts List:
| Factory | → | OG Tange Frame |
| Factory | → | OG Tange TX-Super Forks |
| Factory | → | NEW Factory Correct Reproduction Decals (Vintage Steel)* |
| Factory | → | OG Hatta Headset |
| Factory | → | OG Suntour Stem |
| Alteration | → | NL Handlebars (Replaced WIN Anodized Straight) |
| Alteration | → | O.G.K. 82-2A Cobra Grips (Repaced OGK Foam) |
| Factory | → | OG Dia Compe Tech 3 Brake Lever |
| Alteration | → | Dia Compe 730 Brake Caliper (Replaced Dia Compe 610 Center Pull) |
| Alteration | → | Generic Brake Cable (Replaced Dia Compe)* |
| Alteration | → | Uni Seat (Replaced Uni)* |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour VX Cranks 152mm |
| Factory | → | OG Sugino 3 Piece Euro Bottom Bracket |
| Alteration | → | Sugino 40T Chainring (Replaced Suntour 40T) |
| Alteration | → | NOS KKT AMX Pedals (Replaced KKT FMX) |
| Alteration | → | Sugino Chainring Bolts (Replaced Suntour) |
| Alteration | → | NEW KMC Chain (Replaced Izumi 2 Tone)* |
| Alteration | → | NOS Araya Chrome 20 x 1 1/8" (Replaced Ukai) |
| Alteration | → | NOS Sunshine Hubs (Replaced Suntour) |
| Factory | → | Asahi Spokes & Araya Nipples (Replaced Asahi Nipples) |
| Factory | → | OG Suntour 16T Freewheel |
| Alteration | → | NOS Tioga Silver Label Comp 3 Skinwall Tires (Replaced IRC Racer) |
| Alteration | → | Generic Tire Tubes (Replaced IRC) |
| Add On | → | NEW Kuwahara "Made In Osaka" Pad Set* |
NOTE: All parts are N.O.S., Original or Re-furbished in Mint condition unless marked with *
