BMX Society community forums: bloud - Viewing Profile

I just took a closer look at this Elina Super Pro on ebay http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1423.l2649

Here's what concerns me.

1. There is no Taihei stamp on the bottom
2. There is no Elina stamp on the bottom
3. There appears to be glue where it looks someone recovered this seat, though it looks like it was done a while ago.

Just a warning, this is not a Taihei Elina Super Pro "stamped" seat.

I may be wrong, but would hate for someone to over pay for a copy...

 kuwi-1.jpg (295.69K)
Number of downloads: 66
This 1979 Kuwahara, pretty much as you see it pictured, was originally owned by a former neighbor when I was a kid. I can remember it back to probably 1981. This bike was drooled over by me and all the neighborhood kids back in the day. Just something about it seemed really special. It wasn't until more recent years that I discovered just how special and uncommon a bike like this is. I have attempted to make contact with its first owner who was probably 5 years older than me, and when you’re young 5 years can be a lot.

My best friend in about 1984/5, also a neighbor, had his Diamondback stolen. The owner of the Kuwahara was graduating high-school and heading off to college and my (now bikeless) friends parents bought this Kuwahara for him for something like $150.

About 3 years ago I reconnected with my old friend after more than 20 some years. He had noticed some Facebook photos I posted of my old Quadangle. He contacted me and let me know he still owned the Kuwahara and in fact was still riding it around with his kids. We exchanged a few emails and I made sure he knew the rarity of the bike etc.

My friend had over the years bought some replacement grips and IRC tires off ebay and said something had happened to the rear caliper and he bought one to replace it. Keep in mind he's not a collector, doesn't hang around forums etc. I thought it was great he had taken the initiative to fix his old bike. Just hope the parts he got were real and not repops. This would be a prime example of someone who wouldn't know the difference. But let me stay on topic.

A week ago, my buddy again contacted me and let know some unfortunate circumstances had taken place and he was going to have to liquidate some assets. It was time for the bike to go. I told him how much I could afford at the moment and would love to have the bike, but considering his circumstances I said he'd probably do better on ebay. As a collector with a very strong attachment to certain bikes in my collection, I have a real soft spot for this bike. Hopefully it finds a new home that's not going to rip it limb from limb. I assure you I’m doing some thinking on what can I sell in my head right now. But in the end what my old friend needs is as much $$ as he can get.

It was always gold as far back as I can remember (1981) and had the Kuwahara stickers as you see them. The serial number is intact so I doubt it was ever stolen etc. I find it unusual that such a bike would get painted this color and re-stickered so early in its life. Hopefully a reconnection with the first owner can enlighten some of the mystery there.
I wanted to share this survivor story with you guys as I’m quite sure it’s going to get listed on ebay in the near future and most of you know the new owner is probably going to strip and rebuild it. So, before that happens, I wanted to make a permanent little mark in history here.

1979 Kuwahara (KE-1) survived 33 years and counting…
 kuwi-2.jpg (284.65K)
Number of downloads: 91
 kuwi-3.jpg (342.39K)
Number of downloads: 86
 kuwi-4.jpg (375.23K)
Number of downloads: 43
 kuwi-5.jpg (403.59K)
Number of downloads: 58
 kuwi-6.jpg (361.78K)
Number of downloads: 59
 kuwi-7.jpg (359.5K)
Number of downloads: 62



Good God, did I just write all that?...

Picked these up last night. They are yellow/gold anodized aluminum bars with what looks like your typical Nitto knurling. They are unstamped/marked. There is a sticker (maybe original price tag) between the knurling, but its unreadable. They measure 23.5in wide and about 6.5in rise. The cross bar is thicker than a Race Inc style and 10.5in wide. When I initially saw them I thought they were maybe FMF or VDC but pretty sure those never had knurling. They were originally on a 78 Mongoose and said to have been the original bars on there.

Your thoughts?

 bars1.jpg (113.63K)
Number of downloads: 13
 bars2.jpg (102.66K)
Number of downloads: 16
 bars3.jpg (127.52K)
Number of downloads: 17
 bars4.jpg (121.15K)
Number of downloads: 16
 bars5.jpg (99.3K)
Number of downloads: 15
 bars6.jpg (116.29K)
Number of downloads: 15
 bars7.jpg (79.7K)
Number of downloads: 14
 bars8.jpg (152.72K)
Number of downloads: 15

http://tosh.comedyce...ton-down-shirt/

Saw these when scanning the March 1979 issue of American Bicyclist magazine. I have never seen these before. Now I'll have to keep my eyes peeled, gotta have a set just for their weirdness factor.

 shimano-mx-pedals.jpg (354.6K)
Number of downloads: 63