EowynJane

Hi. I bought a bike that is marked as a Kuwahara Apollo but everything I find online is completely different. I can’t post pics until I have 10 posts so I thought I’d start this way. Mine is a ladies, single speed, old lady type bike. Not a bmx or a racer... serial number is odd too... it’s 4A48111. Maybe it’s from 1984? My husband thinks ‘74 but I’m not sure. Not terribly vintage I guess but older. Does anyone know anything about these bikes?

BikeWonder

Most of the information you will be looking for can be found in this thread; you just have to do some digging:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...lo-thread.html

I have two Apollos myself. Great bikes.

ramzilla

Kuwahara is one of the greatest bicycle manufacturers on earth.

EowynJane

Thanks! I’ll see what I can find. Are your bikes single speed like mine?

This is my first one. My husband thinks they’re great too.

EowynJane

My bike isn’t like anything in that thread... 😕

T-Mar

That's not like any Kuwahara serial number format that I've seen. That format is most common on Panasonic bicycles. They may have contracted out the manufacture. However, I would agree that it probably represents 1974 or 1984. Photographs would be a big help. You can't post photos or links directly until you have a minimum of ten posts but you can disguise links by adding extra spaces or characters. Just ell us how to reverse engineer the link, so we can access the photos, then someone will post the photos directly in this thread for you.

RobbieTunes

Had a black one with Arabesque. Nice bike.

EowynJane

I almost have 10 posts! Lol. I’m not sure how to do the links you are describing though.

madpogue 

Pic assist:






Just based on the cottered crank, I reckon it's a 1974.

Good, helpful close-ups, BTW.

noobinsf 

Instead of posting "www.imgur.com/picture123," you would post something like "www dot imgur dot com slash picture123." However, you're almost at 10 posts, so just keep going and post pics soon...

EowynJane

Thanks so much, that’s awesome! How did you get my pics? I’m guessing because I tried to post them here before. You must have super powers lol.

I’m glad to know it’s a ‘74, but I’m wondering why I can’t find anything like it online? A friend suggested it might be rare, I don’t know 🤷‍♀️ but it’s interesting.

BikeWonder

Some Apollos, like the ones sold under Fred Deeley in Canada, are great bikes and sold by the thousands, especially their road bikes. Their mountain bikes and cruiser bikes made up a small percentage of their sales. Most of the Apollos you will find online are the "valuable" road style bikes and as such, have more people sharing pictures of them across the country online.

madpogue 

No super powers. But you are correct, when a new member tries to attach pics to a posting, the forum allows the pics to be uploaded, but then, as you found out, it barks at you about the 10-post minimum _after_ the pics are uploaded. So they're there in your gallery. All another member has to do is visit your member page, take note of the number in the URL, and then visit your gallery based on that number.

The bike is an interesting find, but the lack of information doesn't necessarily mean it's especially rare or valuable. Still worth preserving I'd say, since it is a bit quirky

EowynJane

I love my quirky bike. I didn’t think it was rare but had to ask. I really would like to have more info but only out of interest, it’s not going to change much.

it was sold originally at George’s cycle in Edmonton, Alberta. It was a smaller shop, now defunct.

I think it’s missing a basket.... there’s a rectangular piece on the front something should attach to... either a reflector or a basket, I’m putting my money on basket. I’d love to find one that fits the style of the bike. Does anyone know if there’s a place to get them?

madpogue 

My money's on a basket as well. Your bicycle is a mamachari - a simple utility bicycle favored by Japanese mothers, step-through, often with a single oversize downtube like yours, riser handlebar, and almost always either a basket or a small child carrier on the front. The latest wrinkle is one equipped to carry a small dog up front.

If you search, be sure to include "bicycle" in the search; otherwise you get a lot of articles about kombucha.

EowynJane

Thanks for the info. It’s perfect for what I wanted... I volunteer for a dog rescue and we meet every other week. The get togethers (we call them vaccination parties lol) have recently moved close to my place. I’m excited to start riding it there in the spring and I love that it’s quirky, it suits me 😊 and since my dog is over 50 pounds I think I’ll skip the dog carrier.

madpogue 

Dogs? Did someone mention dogs (and mamachari)? Cyclelicious » Japanese pet porter bicycles (silly embedded video alert)

Hummer

I have seen this model of Apollo before. Based on the decals and the serial number I believe this frame was manufactured in 1984.

EowynJane

Hah! My dog wouldn’t stay in there even if I was strong enough to hold her up and steer.

The bike has a sticker from George’s cycle, a local shop here. I checked when the store was open hoping I could pinpoint ‘74 or ‘84 but it seems the store was open from the ‘60’s to 2002 so that’s no help. I don’t know anything about bikes so I can’t say one way or the other.

madpogue 

With a cottered crank?

Narhay

There are still bikes being manufactured with steel wheels. A cottered crank at this era was a cost saving measure.

Hummer

Yes. Everyone of this model that I have seen has had a cotter pin crankset.

EowynJane

So it’s probably and ‘84 then?