Frame decals
 

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but ---- there is a decal on my bike frame that reads " handcrafted by Kawamura. Who / what is Kawamura? Secondly you guys that repaint or powdercoat your bike frames do you replace the decals? And on the older frames that are not in production where do you get replacement decals? thanks in advance --- Spkt

Don't know Kawamura, I tend to focus on European stuff.

Yes, I like to restore the decals if possible. Some are available, many aren't, sometimes I recreate. Here are a couple places to try, but they're mostly European I think. Some established painters have access to lots of vintage and current decals.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...YDS/decals.htm

http://stores.ebay.com/Cyclomondo_W0...dZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm

http://www.universalcyclecentre.co.uk/Decals.htm

www.vintagetransfers.it/listbici.htm

Kawamura is a respected Japanese name for frame building. I know that there are other threads here related to Kawamura frames, and I believe some other Japanese frames were built by Kawamura... In fact, I used to have one, but I forget the brand. Perhaps Fuji?

I remember it was a well built frame.

I will assist East Hill and ask for pictures... ;)

Nishiki.

Since the above is just a bit laconic --

Decent Nishiki bikes were made by Kawamura, and have such a decal. They may have fabricated frames for other manufacturers too. Not to be confused (I have, to my embarrassment) with Kuwahara, also a Japanese frame builder. I don't know anything more about either one.