BruceHankins

I'll be picking up this Kuwahara Newport later this evening and was wondering on a value. Believe me, what I'm paying for it, it's worth it just for parts. From what I can find, they made a lot of other bikes such as Apollo and the Newport is a fairly entry level model. Sorry for the one bad picture, it's all I have til I pick the vike up later. Any info/pricing would be great.
https://goo.gl/7ZGcc

T-Mar

The link states a photo is not available.

BruceHankins

Sorry, fixed the link.

T-Mar

Unfortunately, I can't tell much from the picture. Based, on the colour scheme it's probably very late 1980s to early 1990s. It's got dropout eyelets so is presumibly an entry level sports model. I can't positively identify the components. The best image is of the rear brake, but it's dark anodized while the front appears to be silver, so there may be a mismatch. It looks like it may have a freehunb and the crankarm shape looks Shimano-esque, possibly some version of Exage. The shift levers look like they may be Exage Sport.

BruceHankins

Thank you mr. Guru! I'll post some more detailed pictures as soon as I get it home and any specs/information I can get off of it. I was looking for just one or two parts, but may resell or keep for my wife if the frame fits.

BruceHankins

More pictures https://goo.gl/DeUWD

EX 4130 Triple Butted Cro-Mo Frame
RD Suntour Cyclone M-II
FD Shimano Exage
Shimano Exage Crank
Shimano Exage Brakes/Levers
Sakae GT bars Sakae Stem
Sugino post
Araya 700c wheels

So big question, what's it worth? Looks clean, needs new tubes and I'm not a huge fan of downtube shifters but should ride well I think.

oddjob2

As far as road bikes from Japan, a 2nd or rd tier producer, as far as brand recognition. IMHO, $60-$75 as-is.

BruceHankins

How do you feel about the Exage Action components oddjob2?

Still fairly new to road bikes, so I'm not 100% on what's quality and what's just crap yet. If it rides better than the Shogun 400 I have then it will be my new daily.

zukahn1 

Exage is pretty low in Shimano's line up it was the brand they used for there offshore none Japanese stuff in the the early 90's.

randyjawa 

I have owened a Kuwahara Newport, and a few other Kuwaharas also. The Newport was a nice bicycle, well made but of middle of the line quality, at best. Don't take that last comment the wrong way. I did like the bicycle but I had so many other ones at the time that the Newport did not find a place in my collection.

As for Exage - excellent user friendly stuff, in my opinion. Again, not top of the line, but the components are reasonably attractive and they work darn near perfectly every time.

BruceHankins

Good news. Sounds like it will be a good family rider for next to nothing!

T-Mar

Hmm, I guess I didn't do too bad after all. It's mostly Exage Action with Exage Sport LX xhifters. Both were very late 1980s entry level groups that got replaced by Exage 400EX and 500EX in the 1990s. While it is entry level, it performs well. It was found models in the $300-$400 range, such as the Century Accordo and Nishiki Olympic.

The rear derailler housing could stand to be shortened significantly. Normally, a Cyclone rear derailleur would appreciate the value, but it may be a wash if it cannot be made to index properly with the Exage components. The shifters do appear to be at the SIS setting, so hopefully that is an indcator that the previous owner got things yo index. Once it has been overhauled, I think the value would be about $150. However, there is another forum member, wrk101, who is an experienced flipper and who I believe lives in your region. Having initimate experience with your market, he could probably provide the most accurate appraisal.

In the early to mid-1980s Kuwahara had an open format serial number stamped on the lower, non-drive side of the seat tube, in the vicinity of the front derailleur clamp. I don't know if they change things by this period, but probably not. That will tell you the exact year. I'd appreciate the information for my database. TIA. Enjoy your new acquisition.

BruceHankins

T-Mar Sorry having problems getting the picture of the serial number up, but its as follows:
89 02 41996
Also another interesting tid bit it seems at some point, probably originally, this was a Canadian bike. Sold at
Cycle Outaouais
1955, rue Saint-Louis Gatineau, QC J8T4H6

Sixty Fiver

This bicycle was built when Kuwahara was transitioning from lugged frames to TIG welded frames... and their lugged frames are very well made.

I compare them favourably to Miyata as during this era they never built a bad bicycle, the quality of the paint finish is second to none (dipped and baked) and the EX frame is actually a step up over the Exage parts which are pretty much bulletproof.

We see a lot of nice Kuwahara bicycles here and at our co-op, which is known for being pretty inexpensive, we'd probably be asking for $140.00 for a really clean bike of this level that had been tuned and serviced.

Always like to see Exage parts on bicycles we offer as they are so reliable.

Bianchigirll 

It looks nice what did you pay for the parts?

BruceHankins

....$10....and I had to pick it up! Can you believe that, no free delivery.

Bianchigirll 

OH yeah great deal you can't get a decent pizza for that