Anyway, I thought I would post this up here as you may get both a bit of useful info from the horses mouth as well as a bit of a laugh. It's a bit long, but worth the read. Especially when you notice the translation from Japanese to Engrish. Good to get such a fast response from the boss!
<My E-mail>
Hi,
I have recently purchased No.65 of the Kuwahara Anniversary KZ1 Frame and Fork sets which were produced last year, and I would like some more information on these sets to satisfy my curiosity. Many people had told me prior to buying it that these frame and fork sets were made to the exact specification of the old KZ1's, however, now I have one and I have had a closer look, there are obvious differences, (which I have noticed because I used to race one in 83) such as:
· The rear dropouts are a different shape and are much thicker
· The brake bridge is the newer Laserlite style rather than then cross tube of old
· The bottom chain stays have a cross brace on them
· The front gusset is missing the little second hole on the right hand side (I never knew what that hole was for)
· The top and bottom tubes appear to be slightly thicker in diameter
All of these differences are good improvements to the strength and durability of the frames, so they are good things to change, but I guess I was just after an official word on what the goals were of building these frames.
One good thing is that the geometry of the frame appears to be the same as the old model. Anyway, if you could please give me some more information on them I would really appreciate it.
<E-mail Response>
Hi again John
I have had an official reply from Takashi Kuwahara ref your email and it seems your points are very valid.. he has done his best to answer fro you buy please exscuss the English!
I hope this helps
<Forwarded E-mail>
The replica frame is very similar KZ-83(newer than KZ-1) but not so different.
Exactly his indication is right. But this drawing is not original one of KZ-83. Cause if these customer buy the bike and go to BMX course easy to broken. So of course you know now BMX course is harder than 20 years ago. Almost each angle and pipe length is not so different from Original drawing. But quite different is diameter of Top tube and Down tube.
If these customer never assemble bike and only display in the room, we will sent to you original diameter at that time. But I don't think so these customer want to assemble this frame and old school parts also. For example if these old school parts broke white riding, they don't angry cause too old. But frame is not 20 years ago and suddenly broken. What do you think same situation?
Cause I little bit change for durability and long life for frame. If you can look original frame KZ-1, maybe you really surprise. Because top tube and down tube diameter only 25.4mm. Can you go to BMX course? I never go. I want to still alive.
If he really want to KZ-1 frame of Kuwahara, he have to looking for ebay.Maybe price is higher than our products if he find good one.
Finally I send to you of this drawing is not original cause now everything change.
But I drawing again from original and little bit change for durability. This is for you and your customer.
Please understand it.
Cheers.
Takashi Kuwahara
P.S. Drop end and frame gusset sometime change without notice. Cause nobody knows which is really KZ-1 frame.
Our old staff already retiered and somebody go to heaven already.
