1983 Kuwahara KZ-1
Black Gold – My Gusset Grail. A 1983 Kuwahara KZ-1 in Factory spec.
Picked up this KZ about 10 years ago from a local who had it from new and raced it back in the 80’s. Almost all the parts were changed to his liking. However, I wanted to bring it back to factory specs of course so the search began.
Tange made Frame Set with all the vintage Japanese goodness one can expect from an early 80’s Kuwahara BMX. Besides the frame set, and original Dia Compe brake cable housing, every single component I acquired for it was NOS (new old stock) with very minor storage wear only on the rims.
Icing on the cake… IRC 80x Fat/Skinny Combo Skinwall Tires in yellow and Stamped “Kuwahara”!
Factory Correct & Licensed reproduction decals and LITE SAVER dropout savers by Vintage Steel (@vintagesteelbmx).
Year1983BrandKuwaharaModelKZ-1SpecsFactoryConditionShowSerial #K3Axxxx
Parts List:
| Factory | → | MINT Tange Frame |
| Factory | → | MINT Tange TX-Super Forks w/ Tange Dropout Savers |
| Factory | → | NEW Factory Correct Reproduction Decals (Vintage Steel)* |
| Factory | → | NOS Hatta MX-2 Headset |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour Headlock Nut |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour Power Stem |
| Factory | → | NOS Kusuki Redline Approved V-Bar Handlebars |
| Factory | → | NOS O.G.K. 77/17-A Grips |
| Factory | → | NOS Dia Compe Tech 3 Brake Lever |
| Factory | → | NOS Dia Compe MX-1000 Brake Caliper & Bolt End Cap |
| Factory | → | NOS Dia Compe Brake Cable & OG Dia Compe Housing |
| Factory | → | NOS Nagaoka Fluted Seat Post |
| Factory | → | NOS Tahei Elina Lightning Bolt Seat |
| Factory | → | NOS P.D.N.P. Seat Guts |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour Seat Clamp |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour VX Cranks 175mm |
| Factory | → | NOS Sugino 3 Piece Conversion Bottom Bracket |
| Factory | → | NOS Sugino 44T Machined Chainring |
| Factory | → | NOS KKT FMX Lightning Pedals |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour Chainring Bolts |
| Factory | → | NOS Izumi Gold/Silver Chain |
| Factory | → | NOS Ukai Shiny Side Rims |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour HF Hubs |
| Factory | → | NOS Asahi Spokes & Nipples |
| Factory | → | NOS Suntour 16T Freewheel |
| Factory | → | NOS IRC Racer 80x Skinwall Tires (20x2.125 Front / 20x1.75 Rear) "Kuwahara" Stamped |
| Factory | → | NOS IRC Tire Tubes w/ Pacific Valve Caps |
| Factory | → | NOS Rim Strips |
| Add On | → | NOS Kuwahara "Made In Osaka" / "California Lite" Pad Set |
| Add On | → | NEW Vintage Steel Lite Saver Dropout Savers* |
NOTE: All parts are N.O.S., original or re-furbished in Mint condition unless marked with *
