kuw1120

Hi all, new here. Just wondering what I have- parents bought two kuwaharas in the 80's. Both have Fred Deeley Cycle stickers, Apollo badge on the front bar under the handle bars, 4130 chromoly special tube stickers on the bar under the seat. One has date stamped in it on left side 84 11 28787- has sugino gt pedals, diacompe brakes, suntour gears, kromax umo seat and has Osaka Japan on the frame.

The other bike is a little smaller, has sierra grande on the top tube, date is 85 01 and can't remember the rest. I don't know how to put pics on here yet but will do so when I figure it out. Thanks for reading!

CliffordK

To upload photos, go to the advanced eďitor and click on the paper clip.

JPG, about 100 kb is best.

Photos help a lot with value, and are fun.

kuw1120

Thank you- will do!

T-Mar

Both bicycles are 1985 models. The Sierra Grande was their top of the line ATB in the mid-1980s. It had a CrMo frame and used 1st generation Shimano Deore XT components. Basically, it's a old school, high end, mass produced ATB. While it doesn't have the reputation of some of the pioneer brands, it is a nice example of an early Japanese ATB. Here's a thread on another 1985 Sierra Grande.https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ra-grande.html

Pending pics, if you could could at least get the SunTour derailleur models and tubeset information from the other bicycle, we could get a rough idea of the level of the bicycle and possibly determine the model. I assume it is a road bicycle?

ramzilla

I'm a big fan of Kuwahara bikes. I'm pretty sure they're still in business today. They have very high standards & even the most affordable models are high quality. If you advertise them as Kuwahara bikes you should receive responses from interested buyers. Knowledgable buyers will pay a premium for those.

T-Mar

My current understanding is that the Japanese company still exists but is no longer in manufacturing. They apparently entered into some partnership deals with other Asian companies, who are producing the bicycles for Kuwahara. Reportedly, it's more than contract manufacturing, in that Kuwahara has invested in the companies but do not have full ownership.

ramzilla

Sounds like Kuwahara still has skin in the game. Keeping the dream alive. The last few years they made road bikes 88 - 89 were awesome. Then, they went into ET off road stuff in the 90's that was equally incredible. Old Kuwahara bikes are built to last. Very good value.

kuw1120

Hi I took more pics on my phone and have to transfer them to laptop after work tonight. I think they are both road bikes/mountain bikes. The other bike is a "cascade"