Show us your Kuwahara
- Thread starter PhillB
- Start date
I am writing with the help of a translator - so the text may not be clear, sorry.
I found an old picture of my former Kuwahara Pacer in touring/cyclocross version.
If anyone is interested, it has Ultegra 6500 9s derailleurs with a Shimano STX rear derailleur and a Shimano 9s cassette - I don't know if all this equipment is compatible, but it worked for me.
The twin derailleurs on the handlebars are mounted pretty high up, because I've chosen a riding position where I always grip the handlebars with the top grip and never use the bottom grip. This is purely a matter of convenience, although some would consider it a lack of aesthetics.
The handlebar is an inexpensive handlebar from a road bike, which I bent a bit, i.e. flattened - after that the dip was not so deep - this made the new handlebar shape more comfortable, even though I don't ride in a lower grip ))
The seatpost and handlebar stem are made by UNO. Heavy, but overall normal quality components. The logo is painted over with matte paint.
Tires were Vittoria Pro XL 33mm, but the rear one died, so the photo temporarily shows very old continental grips.
Deore DX connecting rods with a big FSA 50t 110bcd sprocket.
Pedals are very cheap and simple
In general, as you can see - the bike is intentionally assembled on cheap but working components, because it is not an exhibition or museum piece, but a working specimen.
Thank you for your attention.
I found an old picture of my former Kuwahara Pacer in touring/cyclocross version.
If anyone is interested, it has Ultegra 6500 9s derailleurs with a Shimano STX rear derailleur and a Shimano 9s cassette - I don't know if all this equipment is compatible, but it worked for me.
The twin derailleurs on the handlebars are mounted pretty high up, because I've chosen a riding position where I always grip the handlebars with the top grip and never use the bottom grip. This is purely a matter of convenience, although some would consider it a lack of aesthetics.
The handlebar is an inexpensive handlebar from a road bike, which I bent a bit, i.e. flattened - after that the dip was not so deep - this made the new handlebar shape more comfortable, even though I don't ride in a lower grip ))
The seatpost and handlebar stem are made by UNO. Heavy, but overall normal quality components. The logo is painted over with matte paint.
Tires were Vittoria Pro XL 33mm, but the rear one died, so the photo temporarily shows very old continental grips.
Deore DX connecting rods with a big FSA 50t 110bcd sprocket.
Pedals are very cheap and simple
In general, as you can see - the bike is intentionally assembled on cheap but working components, because it is not an exhibition or museum piece, but a working specimen.
Thank you for your attention.
Swelo
Retro Newbie
Between August of 2024 and January of 2025 I went from zero Kuwaharas to two Kuwaharas, so apparently I have become a collector. 
The first is a 1991 Rocky Star, a model made for Mondia for the Swiss market. Tange fork and Ishiwata tubing—butted seat tube, quad-butted top tube, and penta-butted down tube. Full Deore DX, too. Unfortunately, the bottom bracket has recently developed a bit of play, so I need to pick up the appropriate tools and see what’s going on. Other than the tires, pedals, and grips, everything is original. Speaking of which, it’s past time to replace the brake pads, too!
The second is a 1993 M4.5 Savage with a Tange fork and Tange 4130 "Custom Profile Tubing”. This is the original listing photo, but—note the horizontal dropouts!—it’s currently in pieces and will be turned into a singlespeed. I’ll be replacing a number of worn-out parts: a vintage set of Dia Compe 980 cantis, a Deore II crankset and new pedals, and a Brooks C-17 are awaiting installation. Still contemplating tires…there’s lots of clearance, but I don’t really need knobbies for my tarmac/gravel combo riding. With the new bits and general cleaning, re-greasing, and tuning, it should spring back to life.
The first is a 1991 Rocky Star, a model made for Mondia for the Swiss market. Tange fork and Ishiwata tubing—butted seat tube, quad-butted top tube, and penta-butted down tube. Full Deore DX, too. Unfortunately, the bottom bracket has recently developed a bit of play, so I need to pick up the appropriate tools and see what’s going on. Other than the tires, pedals, and grips, everything is original. Speaking of which, it’s past time to replace the brake pads, too!
The second is a 1993 M4.5 Savage with a Tange fork and Tange 4130 "Custom Profile Tubing”. This is the original listing photo, but—note the horizontal dropouts!—it’s currently in pieces and will be turned into a singlespeed. I’ll be replacing a number of worn-out parts: a vintage set of Dia Compe 980 cantis, a Deore II crankset and new pedals, and a Brooks C-17 are awaiting installation. Still contemplating tires…there’s lots of clearance, but I don’t really need knobbies for my tarmac/gravel combo riding. With the new bits and general cleaning, re-greasing, and tuning, it should spring back to life.
A few days ago, I received a message from my smartphone that a Kuwahara Lion was for sale. When I opened the offer, I couldn't resist.
An original 1988 Kuwahara Lion complete with Suntour XC 9000 and Rollercams. A bit scratched and dirty but super cheap.
So far I've just wiped it down a bit and put some nicer tires on it. It's already looking great.
I'm going to take a closer look at it, but it's already a lot of fun to cruise around on.
An original 1988 Kuwahara Lion complete with Suntour XC 9000 and Rollercams. A bit scratched and dirty but super cheap.
So far I've just wiped it down a bit and put some nicer tires on it. It's already looking great.I'm going to take a closer look at it, but it's already a lot of fun to cruise around on.
27motorhead
Old School Grand Master
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Swelo
Retro Newbie
Love it! It’s pretty cool when a vintage bike needs just a tune-up to be rideable.
That was the case for my pink Kuwahara up-thread, which also reminds me to post a picture of how the M4.5 turned out. This one needed more than a tune-up, as the drivetrain, shifting, and wheels were past their prime.
That was the case for my pink Kuwahara up-thread, which also reminds me to post a picture of how the M4.5 turned out. This one needed more than a tune-up, as the drivetrain, shifting, and wheels were past their prime.
PhillB
GT Fan
everything about this is fabulous!!
I wish my phone would ping and offer me dirt cheap Kuwahara's
Love this color sheme and a singlespeed Kuwahara is also always nice to see.
Thanks a lot!everything about this is fabulous!!
I wish my phone would ping and offer me dirt cheap Kuwahara's
It still needs some deep cleaning and regreasing, a service of the bottom bracket (wich makes a klonking noise with each return) and some new grips.
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