Hi.

I was just digging around in the basement of my apartment and came upon an old Kuwahara Short 12 12-speed road bike that the landlord said I could have. I don't know much about these bikes.

Does anyone have any info on them? Is it a cheap department store bike? I actually saw a dealership sticker with my local bike shop's name and phone number on it. I know that shop tends not to sell junk but I haven't had the chance to ask the owner about this particular bike.

I'm looking to learn a little more about bike repair and if this one is a decent bike then it could be a great one to start repairing. It's not in bad shape....just really dusty and dirty.

Shane
Victoria, British Columbia

Hello Shane, if your bike says Kuwahara chances are it's at least a decent bike.

Perhaps photos? What names are on the components?

By the way, do you still have the Sekine?

East Hill

Hi Shane.
Firstly, nice to see another Victorian on the forums!
Secondly, the Kuwahara you found could be average, great or really nice - they made a big range of bikes. Most likely, the Sport 12 is from the late '70s or early to mid '80s. I am assuming the 12 refers to it being a 12-speed. It is no department store bike, I can assure you of that much. Kuwahara is still in business I think, under the name Asama, but the quality has probably slipped. Back in the day, Kuwahara also made frames/bikes for other companies/importers, most notably Apollo - a brand I'm sure you've seen around these parts! I have a really nice Kuwahara-made Apollo that I converted into a fixed gear a while back.
Anyway, pics are mandatory in the Classic and Vintage section...hint, hint...

Leigh.

Here's some shots of the Kuwahara. I didn't take the time tonight to have a look at the components.

I might end up bringing it down to my bike shop so they can have a look at it. I think the owner will get a kick out of it. I'm betting he hasn't seen this bike or one like it in years.

And yes, I still have the Sekine. If I can get the Kuwahara up and running in good order I may sell or freecycle the Sekine. That poor thing has seen better days.

KHS is what it's known as now, KHS has been using the name since 1978 by and large. Kuwahara may have been used in Canada and/or Europe 'till a bit later. KHS is an "American" company these days. No doubt the success earlier-on then the later withdrawl of bikes made in Japan renderd KHS an even more seperate company. Similar to Fuji,others too. KHS are made in Taiwan mostly,maybe some in China. Many companies broke away from the Japan based parent companies once Japan got out of the USA bicycle bussiness. KHS had some really nice bikes twelve or so years ago,and about ten years prior. The past few, thier offerings have been spotty,cheap mostly. They just re-introduced some steel models after not having any for a few years. They're a California-based company. Always lots of kids and BMX bikes too.

Looks like a BOTL model, nothing special or precious about it. I have never seen a Koowie roadie as low end as this one. Keep the Sekine.

Hey Shane,

I have a Kuwahara made road bike that is my pride and joy. You can check it out here.

im looking for more info on Kuwahara as well. here is mine the day i got it. being fixed up now.

What about my Kuwahara Tandem. Best tandem I have ever owned [only one at that]. Nothing is original but the frame and even that has some braze on removed and added on.

PM to Skylar. He has one.

woah nelly

I picked up a kuwahara with an exage groupo few years back, frame is ridiculous.. like quadruple butted cromoly, big hunk of junk heavier than hell, I commuted on it most of last year, and I used it as a winter training bike this past winter sometimes too, its mostly in pieces in the basement, hopefully forever!

mine is triple butted.

Funny I have a quad butted CrMo Club Fuji that is quite light, and rides wonderfully? Maybe your Kuwa was quad butted High Ten?,,,,BD

This one is a lot nicer than newf's.

Kuwahara was a very notable builder... they built frames for many companies and did not start branding their own frames until the bike boom of the 70's with "Apollo" which was probably chosen for marketing purposes.

The BMX bike in ET was a Kuwahara and this signalled the beginning of the company branding bikes with their own name.

They built road bikes, touring bikes, and some mountain bikes under the Apollo name and this changed in 1985 when they were all branded as Kuwahara or said "Apollo, built by Kuwahara"...their high end models are exceptionally well made and even their entry level bikes are of good quality.

Two of the nicest bikes I own are Kuwaharas... I have an '87 Cascade (quad butted) and an '88 Shasta (triple butted) that I have converted from geared mountain bikes to fixed gear tourers / commuters since their geometry is that of a classic touring bike.

I see a lot of them here as they were widely distributed by Fred Deeley Imports in Vancouver...the Apollo MkV road frame is a beautiful thing/

Here's mine , I bought at a yardsale last weekend . It's fairly light ; has Suntour equipment . It had a bad RD . I just happen to have an extra I'd pulled off a bike I bought for parts . Shifts and rides great now. kirby

The '88 Kuwahara Shasta... probably the nicest version of this model as earlier models did not use Ishiwata tubing and this brought this bike much closer to the level of the top of the line Cascade which was lighter and better equipped.

This is what keeps me from needing to consider getting a Surly LHT as the frame is perfectly designed for touring / commuting.

this is what it looks like now.

can anyone tell what the year is. the only part with a label is the shimano biopace crankset.

Look at the serial number on the bike... it is located on the non drive side of the seat tube and the first two numbers will be the year of manufacture.

I am gonna guess 1987...

there is no serial on it.

That is COOL! I love those purpose built customs, reminds me of my Gran Turismo in a way. I just changed from drops to a Gary Bar on Sunday..,,,BD

Check again... it could be faint.

That looks sweet... I was contemplating using moustache bars but really love my drop bars.