I'd like to establish a Nomura Owner's Registry as part of the research I'm doing for a biography of Wade Nomura-to be out later this Spring!
There were approximately 525 frames built that carried the name NOMURA! 375 were aluminum frames and 150 were chrome moly steel 20" frames!
So far I've been able to "locate & document" only 36 of the 525! Anybody owning a Nomura-or Nomuras-that would like to be added to my documented list,please Email me at:
mathergolf@comcast.net
with the following information about your frame(s):
Owner's name & state of residence;frame's size & material;serial number;and finally,color/finish.
For security's sake,ONLY the state of residence-NOT the city or town-of the frame's owner will EVER be published! These frames/bikes are "among
the rarest ever built!" ALL Nomuras are "rare and
valuable"...their security is "uppermost in my mind!"
Wade Nomura's frames have won more Nationals
races than any other aluminum frames in the history of BMX racing! When the 1982 Nomura 26"
Race Cruisers were introduced "in mid-year" 1981-they went on to "sweep all 6 National #1 Plates in every Cruiser Class" run at the time!
Anybody that is willing to contribute information is welcome to contact me to do so!

Thanks in advance...and watch for the book!

BOMAT 1

WELCOME Bob!!!! Good to see you here. I have four Nomuras. A 20" chromoly, a 20" alloy, a 24" alloy, and a 26/24" alloy. I will post all the serial numbers on these frames in the morning for you.

I have a REAL Gold Nomura it was full race machine!! Now its Cracked and hanging in the Shop! I took the bike to Rockford last year is in those pic's if you need a pic.

What's the serial number Ride a bike? He's looking for serials of all in existance. Can you take a pic of yours and post ot too though?

Here's mine:
24" - RANDY001
26/24" - NRC DG 043
20" alloy - NRDG250
20" chromoly - NRPWC132

Ride A Bike...

Might you be the guy that sold Jeff Haney his NOS 26" Nomura? He told me he'd bought it at a shop in Wisconsin-while he was on vacation!
The # of his frame is NRC DG 022...my 26" is
NRC DG 020! Jeff also owns NRC DG 021!
You said that you also have a Gold frame-that was a real racer...what size frame is it? Wade's personal 24" racer is also Gold...the other 5 24" frames are polished!
What is the serial # on your Gold ex-racer? If I may include your's in my Registry,please send me your name,bike's size,ser.#...I already have your town & state-but I won't publish your town's name!

Thanks,
Bob Matherly
mathergolf@comcast.net

I found chromoly 20" #132 and 133 in a basement in MA back in 2004, along with 26" #33. That was in haul....cost me $300! Brian has one of the chromolys, along with my Nomura 24" with the Randy 001 serial number, that I found in Texas in 2005. Jeff Haney has the other chromoly 20" last I heard, and I am not sure where the 26" ended up.

I know of two here in Bakersfield Ca a 20" and a 26" I believe. Ernie Ballard pro rider for Nomura back in the day still owns them along with his stash of pattersons.

Ok guys my Nomura is a 20" gold the ser. # is NR DG 215 BOMAT1 The Nomura that Jeff got is from a shop I used too work for in the 1990's they were real big in racing BITD. I still go there and hang out with the old boss.there is another Nomura here in my town and is just silver ano. But I havent see the kid in about 3 years and I think he moved and just through the frame in the trash

Ok guys my Nomura is a 20" gold the ser. # is NR DG 215 BOMAT1 The Nomura that Jeff got is from a shop I used too work for in the 1990's they were real big in racing BITD. I still go there and hang out with the old boss.there is another Nomura here in my town and is just silver ano. But I havent see the kid in about 3 years and I think he moved and just through the frame in the trash I will try to post a pic of the bike but if you need to see it it's in the 2006 Rockford pic.

What the hell ^^^^^

I have a 20" polished serial# NR 101
Rick

mine is weird ?
ser# on the bb is 87wa324
it is a 20 alloy...

Bomat1, how accurate are your production numbers? (not disputing it just curious).

Why am I not surprised that Mr. Hayes has 4 frames.

Bomat's figures are direct from Wade Nomura's records, so they are right on, Curt.

Tom, Haney sold that chromoly Nomura a few weeks ago on Ebay. Not sure who has it now.

Kristevin, I'm wondering why your 20" serial is on the BB instead of the dropout. Thats odd in itself and the serial is weird. Bomat will get the info from Wade, I'm sure, and share it.

QUOTE:
"Why am I not surprised that Mr. Hayes has 4 frames."

Ride a bike, I'm still confused. That pic on the other thread that you said is your 20" is polished but you keep saying it is gold. Am I missing something?

Brian the bike is FADED BAD it was out side a shed for about 2 years before I got my hands on the BAD AXX BIKE ! My ser# is on the BB is that odd? I will try to post a pic of it so you can see it better.I have had problems trying to post pic's on the site through the VBMX site web page

To all:

Any #'s or information I may post will "be accurate and will come directly from Wade himself!"
I'm doing research for my upcoming book-a bio
of Wade Nomura & his legendary bike frames! It will feature accurate information and loads of pics & other good stuff-some of which,hopefully,will be
provided by readers/members on this Website!
I can't wait to write it...and I'm hoping "you can't wait to read it!" All Nomura devotees will enjoy my work...hopefully,anyway...and there'll be stuff there you "might not know!"
I welcome Emails from "any Nomura fans" anytime,and I will answer all promptly,and to the best of my ability!

Thanks in advance...

BOMAT 1
(Bob Matherly)

My 26 inch polished frame has 011 on the bottom bracket and the 20 inch purple frame has 242 on the dropout.

Here is the serial number for the 26/24 I used to own.

And a full shot of the bike.

Here is the serial number for the 20" I used to own also.


And a complete shot of the bike.


[ January 29, 2007, 12:32 AM: Message edited by: larock ]

Nomura frames produced: 525 total
Nomura built frames: 375
20" aluminum frames: 311
24" aluminum frames: 6
26" aluminum frames: 45
26/24 "hybreds" 13
Nomura 20" steel frames: 150
(built by CW Racing for
NOMURA RACING PRODUCTS)

Nomura frames known to exist today: 52
Nomura frames known to be lost: 1 26"
Nomura frames "thought to be lost": 1 20" alum
Nomura frames "known to be rescued": 1 20" alum

Existing frames : 20" aluminum 15
24" aluminum 3
26/24" aluminum 5
26" aluminum 12
20" steel 18

That's it guys...ONLY 10% are CONFIRMED to
exist today! There's GOT to be more of these
legendary frames out there....send in your frame's
serial #...add your frame to the CONFIRMED total!

Thanks...
BOMAT 1

Who has the Nomura frame that had all the welds polished smooth? Any idea if that frame had been done that way by Nomura??

Greg: The "Show Frame" you're referring to is a
"one off" item-done for a BMX magazine photo shoot! The welds were ground smooth at NRP,then sent to the metal shop that did all Nomura's contract polishing & anodization for their frames!

The ownership & location of this frame today is unknown-but it's existence is CONFIRMED! This is
most likely the ONLY frame NRP ever built that had
neither a serial number nor a Personalization either
under the BB shell(early production) or on the drop out(late production).

By the way Greg,are you any relation to BITD
Torker PRO rider Bob Hanna? Don't know what ever
became of him...but he was "pretty fast!"

Thanks for taking the time to write this! If you
own a Nomura...and would like it "confirmed as
existing today"-only 52 of 525 Nomuras are-feel free to Email me with your serial #,frame size &
material and state of residence! Strictly for my
research...NOT for publication! Thanks again!

BOMAT 1

Bryan D - chime in. I know once upn a time there was at least 1 26" owned by Bill Dickerson, think long gone, and a red 20" Bryan Dickerson had that was ripped off at the Elkhorn Wi indoor track in '82ish. Think Bryan said he had two different 20" back when Bill and him were on Nomura. I have some pictures somewhere of them.

Bryan D - chime in. I know once upn a time there was at least 1 26" owned by Bill Dickerson, think long gone, and a red 20" Bryan Dickerson had that was ripped off at the Elkhorn Wi indoor track in '82ish. Think Bryan said he had two different 20" back when Bill and him were on Nomura. I have some pictures somewhere of them.

I am pretty sure that "show" frame popped up in the VBM community about 4 years ago. We were all appalled that somone would have done that. But if it was factory we need to find who owns it now.

Awesome thread...what year did the serial# move from the BB to the dropout? Also, I see a lot of alloy frames with only downtube decals, no headtube or seat mast decals. Did NRP ever send new frames out with only downtube decals...or were the headtube/seat mast decals just lost over time on the ones I've seen?

g-mack:

NRP shipped a "decal package" with every one of their frames. Each set included 2 down tube,1
head tube,and 1 seat mast decal. When NRP was
still in business,extra decals were available from the shop,by special order! Very few original NRP decals remain...most sold today are "high quality repros!"
There were 3 different NRP head tube decals
used...2 "production versions" and 1 used only on
the various NRP FACTORY race bikes! The first one-and most often used-is the well known "Rising Sun"
with NOMURA RACING under the Sun motif. The 2nd
"production frame" decal was designed for Wade by
his brother Weldon-who worked as a cartoonist for
BMX,Plus magazine-and is the "Cartoon CrossUp"
decal! There are no words printed under this decal-
it stands alone! The 3rd head tube decal used is again the "Rising Sun" motif,with the words
FACTORY RIDER printed under the Sun! This decal
was NOT sold,or given to the racing public...only
the NRP FACTORY bikes wore it!
NRP didn't do "yearly issues" of their frames & changes like "serial number variations"-moving the
serial number from the BB shell to the drop out-was
done simply at a point in frame progression in the
welding process! NRP decided "at some point" that
the serial # was "too easily damaged" by racing use,and "moved the #'s to the drop outs to keep
this from happening!"
Apparently all of the steel 20",all of the 24" Race
Cruisers and the "later production" 20" alloy frames
were numbered on the drop outs! So far,the earliest
20" alloy I've discovered numbered in this manner is
NR DG 242...a Purple frame!
There were 311 20" alloy frames built,with frame
NR DG 302 being the "last frame built!" These frames
were numbered sequentially so frames AFTER 242
have their serial #'s on their drop outs!
ALL 45 26" Race Cruisers,all 13 26/24 "hybreds",
and "most likely" 20" alloys built prior to NR DG 242
are stamped under the BB shell!
As yet,I've been unable to determine "exactly"
when the "Cartoon CrossUp" head tube decal was actually put on frames! From what I've been able to determine this decal was used "only on the 20" aluminum frames",as I've "not heard of a steel frame having this decal on it's head tube!" As the 64 Race Cruisers "had already been built" by this stage of production,it apparently was "never put on a Cruiser" by Nomura! I have seen at least one with this decal,but it's "likely been put there by it's owner"-and NOT NRP!
I welcome information "that may update" what
I've just posted-and anyone having such information is welcome to send it!
Hope this answers a few questions for all!

BOMAT 1

Calm down there Bobby, or there won't be any info left to share in the book.

The Anodized Purple # 242 Was mine and now sits with Darren C. It was stamped on the Drop-out.

Wow! Great info...thanks. BMX Plus May '81 page 71 has a good picture of the "Factory Rider" headtube decal.

Does anyone have a scan of that picture from BMX Plus??

Hooooollllllllllllllly crap!!! My 1500th post. I'm officially a AA member now. Yeahhhhhhhhh for me.

BOMAT 1 wrote " So far I've been able to "locate & document" only 36 of the 525! Anybody owning a Nomura-or Nomuras-that would like to be added to my documented list,please"

I found 10% of them!

26 inch NRC DG 019 Thats what I have its blue

Tom if mine makes 37 I guess you only found 8% of the lol

Add 1 more to the list.

I have a 20" aluminum that I bought about 25 years ago. Probably fall of '81. I don't have it here to check the serial, but I'm certain it's on the BB and pretty sure it has "DG" in it (I always thought of DG bikes).

[ March 21, 2007, 12:48 AM: Message edited by: Fred Garvin ]

1 more to the list, a 20" steel that is NOS, never parted or painted.

Can you guys post pics of your frames, or email them to me and I'll post them. brianhaysbmx@yahoo.com.

Here's mine, All original:
ACS graphite Z Rims, w/Bullseye hubs (still POd I traded my graphite Tuffs for these)
1st gen profile cranks, I think 190's
Shimano DX pedals
Tuff / Pro neck w/GT Pro bars & broomsticks
MX1000s and crappy Aero seat
Took the pads off my brother's Dback so I could take it to the track. Think I got all that right....

Dude, that is AWESOME!!!!!!

Fred Garvin, awesome survivor bike!!

...by the way, can you still "do the snake"??

NOMURAS are awesome , i'd love to have one but they are rare as hens teeth and then to get someone to post it to OZ is unheard of

i suppose its the "i really want one , but cant get it just yet that keeps us interested .... and the 10 unbuilt frame we have in the garage"

sensational bikes boys !!!!

is this the first time someone has listed "broomsticks" as equipment? LOL i'm also guilty of using broomsticks in my handlebars...anyone else up for confession?
sweet bike, by the way. 190's???? WOW!
mike

Thanks all... PK, why yes, I think I can!

msalyers, It's funny the things that come back to you after 25 years when looking at a picture. I wouldn't be one bit surprised to pull off my grips and find actual "broom sticks" in there. Or I could just ask mom, lol. Nothin like a free mod. I think we all did it until we got caught

I think the cranks are 190's, but that's coming from memory. I know i wanted/got a long crank when I ordered them.

Nomura's were uncommon in my neck of the woods. I recall seeing only one Nomura in the Denver area back BITD, a 20" aluminum anodized dark green. It was raced by a guy named, I think, Brad Jensen or Jenkins. This would have been 1981 or 1982 , and I'm thinking he was sponsored by NRP. He certainly had the uniform. I may even have a picture of him racing that bike.

Not that this adds to your survivor list, but I thought I'd throw it out there. It was definitely an uncommon anodizing color back then.

There is a 26/24" frame on Ebay right now. It is advertised as a 24" but he added at the bottom that it is a "hybrid" (as Wade called them, I guess).

Nice frame.............

"The Silver Fox"

Bob Matherly Won

Don't steal your own Thunder!

Miss the several page e-mails LOL!

CYA
Cliff Edwards

Huh??

Where on the bay Mr.Hays???

Thanks,

Mike. M