Kuwahara (?) mystery MTB
#1
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Kuwahara (?) mystery MTB
Can you help me figure out what I've got here?
Kuwahara binder bolt and Kuwahara headset.
TT decal says "Puma" and DT decal says "Apex"
Serial number begins 8603 but are these thumb shifters (Suntour Power Ratchet I think) and derailleurs (Suntour Alpine, never heard of it) '86 era? Sugino cranks, Suzue hubs, 6sp. Dia Compe cantis and levers. Cool MKS platforms. Tubing sticker says "Built with 4130 Chromoly Special Tube." That's right, "Tube." (I've seen kuwaharas with a sticker that says "Chromoly Seat Tube.")
Conditions not currently ideal for photos
Maybe Sixty Fiver knows something?
Kuwahara binder bolt and Kuwahara headset.
TT decal says "Puma" and DT decal says "Apex"
Serial number begins 8603 but are these thumb shifters (Suntour Power Ratchet I think) and derailleurs (Suntour Alpine, never heard of it) '86 era? Sugino cranks, Suzue hubs, 6sp. Dia Compe cantis and levers. Cool MKS platforms. Tubing sticker says "Built with 4130 Chromoly Special Tube." That's right, "Tube." (I've seen kuwaharas with a sticker that says "Chromoly Seat Tube.")
Conditions not currently ideal for photos
Maybe Sixty Fiver knows something?
Last edited by belacqua; 06-04-14 at 08:57 AM.
#2
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It looks like it'll be a fun fun ride.
I'd guess no newer than 85- I don't know of any ATBs that had bullmoose bars after that.
I'd guess no newer than 85- I don't know of any ATBs that had bullmoose bars after that.
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#3
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It's awesome.
I agree that it looks older than 86 but then how to read the serial number?
On closer inspection the brand name is "Apex" and the model is "Puma."
Unfortunately the brazing on the bull moose bars is cracked all the way around one lug socket. Don't know what to do about this. Bar mfcturer is "WIM" (Japan)?
The suntour power shifters are awesome.
I agree that it looks older than 86 but then how to read the serial number?
On closer inspection the brand name is "Apex" and the model is "Puma."
Unfortunately the brazing on the bull moose bars is cracked all the way around one lug socket. Don't know what to do about this. Bar mfcturer is "WIM" (Japan)?
The suntour power shifters are awesome.
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Hi belacqua,
I would suggest that the brand name of the bike is Apex, custom built in Japan for ??? Johnsen Co., Dallas Texas.
The frame builder was Kuwahara. The model name is Puma.
There were Kuwahara brand name MTBs sold in the USA and Europe. The model names were members of the cat family including: Alley Cat, Cougar, Lion, Lynx, Oncilla, Panther, Tiger, and Puma.
Kuwahara made frames for several brand names in the USA.
In Canada the model names where completely different, but some of the 1986 models still had bullmoose handlebars.
Can you tell us the full serial number?
I would suggest that the brand name of the bike is Apex, custom built in Japan for ??? Johnsen Co., Dallas Texas.
The frame builder was Kuwahara. The model name is Puma.
There were Kuwahara brand name MTBs sold in the USA and Europe. The model names were members of the cat family including: Alley Cat, Cougar, Lion, Lynx, Oncilla, Panther, Tiger, and Puma.
Kuwahara made frames for several brand names in the USA.
In Canada the model names where completely different, but some of the 1986 models still had bullmoose handlebars.
Can you tell us the full serial number?
#6
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Not that this helps, but for additional reference...I have a gray/gunmetal frame with the same steel sticker but no other stickers. Same size and geometry. Serial # starting with 86, but the fork is a uni-crown. The canti brakes on mine (which appear to be original) are the typical A-frame shaped Shimanos. Amazing (quality, not fanciness) brazing/lug work. Based on the fork and brakes, mine might be newer, but the serial # would allude to the same year. It does appear that Sixty Fiver is our local Kuwahara expert...
#7
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I just saw that the Suntour Alpine 5050 group was from 1986.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#8
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Thanks for the tip--good chart here: Suntour Museum
#9
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Hi belacqua,
I would suggest that the brand name of the bike is Apex, custom built in Japan for ??? Johnsen Co., Dallas Texas.
The frame builder was Kuwahara. The model name is Puma.
There were Kuwahara brand name MTBs sold in the USA and Europe. The model names were members of the cat family including: Alley Cat, Cougar, Lion, Lynx, Oncilla, Panther, Tiger, and Puma.
Kuwahara made frames for several brand names in the USA.
In Canada the model names where completely different, but some of the 1986 models still had bullmoose handlebars.
Can you tell us the full serial number?
I would suggest that the brand name of the bike is Apex, custom built in Japan for ??? Johnsen Co., Dallas Texas.
The frame builder was Kuwahara. The model name is Puma.
There were Kuwahara brand name MTBs sold in the USA and Europe. The model names were members of the cat family including: Alley Cat, Cougar, Lion, Lynx, Oncilla, Panther, Tiger, and Puma.
Kuwahara made frames for several brand names in the USA.
In Canada the model names where completely different, but some of the 1986 models still had bullmoose handlebars.
Can you tell us the full serial number?
I think you are correct. This is looking like a low end offering by Apex, built from CrMo/Hi-Ten mix by Kuwahara in 1986.
May I ask where your detailed info about Apex is coming from?
#10
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Thanks for the tip--good chart here: Suntour Museum
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*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#11
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The serial # placement is interesting - mine is on the non-drive side of the seat tube.
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Thanks for posting the picture of the serial number and the Professional Bicycle Dealers decal.
My only information about Apex is from the decals on your bike.
I can only offer you this scenario that may apply to the Apex brand and Professional Bicycle Dealers Association. In the 1980s some Local bicycle Shops (LBS) were having trouble securing a source of brand names to sell. Schwinn had cut off supplying several LBS and other distributors were making exclusive arrangements with larger bicycle retailers. Groups of small LBSs banded together and created their own brand names. Vista (National Independent Dealers Association) is one example and I think that Takara may also fall into this category.
The serial number on the BB shell is normal for early Kuwahara MTBs, that is where it is on my 1987 Kuwahara Shasta.
Your Puma is similar to the 1986 Aries model in Canada: stamped rear dropouts, same tubing decal and cable guide braze ons. In Canada in 1986, I believe the next model up was the Shasta and it had forged dropouts.
wintermute,
check the next two digits in your serial number, they indicate the month in the year. Your bike may be a 1987 model year, with the frame built in late 1986. My 1987 Shasta has uni-crown forks.
My only information about Apex is from the decals on your bike.
I can only offer you this scenario that may apply to the Apex brand and Professional Bicycle Dealers Association. In the 1980s some Local bicycle Shops (LBS) were having trouble securing a source of brand names to sell. Schwinn had cut off supplying several LBS and other distributors were making exclusive arrangements with larger bicycle retailers. Groups of small LBSs banded together and created their own brand names. Vista (National Independent Dealers Association) is one example and I think that Takara may also fall into this category.
The serial number on the BB shell is normal for early Kuwahara MTBs, that is where it is on my 1987 Kuwahara Shasta.
Your Puma is similar to the 1986 Aries model in Canada: stamped rear dropouts, same tubing decal and cable guide braze ons. In Canada in 1986, I believe the next model up was the Shasta and it had forged dropouts.
wintermute,
check the next two digits in your serial number, they indicate the month in the year. Your bike may be a 1987 model year, with the frame built in late 1986. My 1987 Shasta has uni-crown forks.
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Hi... New here.
I scored an oldie Kuwie MTB off CL and looking to fix'er up!
I could use some help with ID... The only # I could find is 83 9 68346 .... ??
Pics coming soon.... When I figure out how to post here. = Says they are too big.
J
I scored an oldie Kuwie MTB off CL and looking to fix'er up!
I could use some help with ID... The only # I could find is 83 9 68346 .... ??
Pics coming soon.... When I figure out how to post here. = Says they are too big.
J
#14
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Here's a photo of my personal MTB on my personal web page:
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I have a bike, has the same forks as the red Kuwahara. My bike is a Kuwahara Pro Performer. Not sure the year, but it has the same bull handlebars too! Best bike I've ever rode.
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Edit: Given the traditional fork crown and bull moose handlebars, it should be mid-1980s.
Last edited by T-Mar; 04-09-21 at 04:50 AM.