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Would this Kuwahara make a good tourer?

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Old 09-21-09, 06:11 PM
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Would this Kuwahara make a good tourer?

I know it would need a lot of equipment but would it make a good starting point? The Kuwahara fits me like a glove.



























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Old 09-21-09, 06:28 PM
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Fixed your typo. Nice bike. I'd think it would tour quite well.
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Old 09-21-09, 06:41 PM
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Nice bike ! I like the range of gears.
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Old 09-21-09, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Walter
Fixed your typo. Nice bike. I'd think it would tour quite well.
Thanks, and thanks! and thank you too old and new.
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Old 09-21-09, 06:50 PM
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has that bike been ridden? It's perfect. Look around for small front rack so the load can be split well and keep it under 25lbs or so.
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Old 09-22-09, 01:06 PM
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I dont know if the orig owner rode it much but I havn't ridden it much yet. I did clean it up when I got it as it was really dusty and had a bit of surface rust in some spots.
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Old 09-22-09, 02:06 PM
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That's a cool looking bell! With the right equipment, It could be a nice tourer.
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Old 09-22-09, 04:59 PM
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I rode about 3600 km on a bike that was almost like that one though it was a much larger frame. Surprisingly the frame held up well. I had probs with the wheels but that's because I weigh a ton and carry lots of gear and ride rough.

Only suggestion I've got is to try putting most of your heavy stuff on the front of the bike. It sucks for handling until you get the hang of it. Oh and get a triple chainring!!!! Unless you're staying in the prairies you'll need it.
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Old 09-22-09, 05:19 PM
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Maybe I have old knees, but I would try to get lower gears somehow- maybe move the inner chainring to the outside and get the smallest one that will fit for the inside, then adjust the front derailleur so it shifts right on the new chainring pair.
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Old 09-22-09, 07:27 PM
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Nice bike

That is a fine bike you have. I would ride it anywere its willing to take me. I would go for a triple crank as I live in the hills.
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Old 09-22-09, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by ilikebikes
I dont know if the orig owner rode it much but I havn't ridden it much yet. I did clean it up when I got it as it was really dusty and had a bit of surface rust in some spots.
one of the things I discovered with old bikes is that some tires from the 80's could develop very sharp bead on the tire so be careful when you change a tube. I got some sliced fingertips from them. The old cadmium plated spokes might look ugly compared to stainless steel but they should be fine.
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Old 09-22-09, 08:35 PM
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The crank is a "Super Maxy" and I would really not want to change it till I know where I'm going! I may try what cycle_maven mentioned if I ever make a trip that involves hills! Thanks to all for your replies! I'm going to be in the market for a rear and front rack that I can fit a few decent sized panniers on, I'm thinking on making a set like the ones below as I'm not about to pay $300.00 bills for a Brooks set!

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Old 09-23-09, 02:14 PM
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Very pretty bike! How is the spoke tension? A lot of older bikes I've dealt with have seized spoke nipples, which of course make wheel retensioning or truing impossible.
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Old 09-23-09, 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by antonyfhilliard
Very pretty bike! How is the spoke tension? A lot of older bikes I've dealt with have seized spoke nipples, which of course make wheel retensioning or truing impossible.
I know what you're saying, I've found that to be true of most but one, Schwinns, they seem to have been very well built bikes. (I own a few) but the wheels on the Kuwahara are pretty much not good for touring, I bought a newer set (not the best) that are coming in this week, I plan on buying a much better set some time in the near future. I'm hoping to re-use the orig hubs.
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