Model

Kuwahara Nova

Lifecycle: 1983 – Early 1986
Frame Model: Nova (1983) / Un-officially titled “Super Nova” (1984+)
Factory Colors: Chrome or White w/ Black parts, Black or Blue w/ Silver parts
Frame: Tri-Moly – Chrome-Moly Tubing (Front Triangle) / High Tensile Steel (Rear Triangle) (1983), 100% Full Chrome-Moly Tubing (1984 – Stamped “Kuwahara”)
Fork: 100% Full Chrome-Moly
Serial #: Starting T3, K4, K5, K6 (very rare) – K6B is the very last month
Decals: Generation 2 w/ ®
Tubing Differences: Looptail (1983) / Non-Looptail (1984-1986)
Top Tube Length: 18.25″
Weight (Complete Bike): 11.23 kg / 24 pounds, 12 ounces
Weight (Frame): 2550g +/- (Looptail) / 1950g +/- (Super Nova),
Weight (Handlebars): 1050g +/- (Pro handlebars)
Original Retail Price (Approx.): $209.95 – $239.95 USD (Chrome), $229.95 USD (Painted)

Facts: The Looptail frame is approx. 600g heavier than the Super Nova frame. The Super Nova frame is the same weight as the Laserlite frame.
Interesting Facts: By October of 1984, it looks as though Kuwahara was using the same exact frame (KZ-85) for the Bravo, Laserlite and Super Nova as they all looked identical in geometry, and weld craftsmanship when put through a comparison test. February is the last month of 1986 which is the very last year of the Japan made Tange frame sets which were used available right before they switched to Anlun made Nova Titlists.
Opinions/Errors: One magazine review in the 80’s stated that the Super Nova was not 100% Full Chrome-Moly, where as other magazines have stated that the 1984 Super Nova is Full Chrome-Moly. FACT: The 1984 Super Nova is much lighter (actually around 600 grams +/-) than the 1983 looptail Nova and almost has the exact same geometry, and weight (actually lighter in one of our weight comparison tests) as the 1983 Laserlite, therefore we can only conclude that the 1984 Super Nova is a Full Chrome-Moly frame regardless of the welds on the rear triangle. Regarding the rear triangle welds on the Super Nova, most people say it cannot be chrome-moly due to the different look of the welds. However, 1985 full Chrome-Moly Bravos and Laserlites use the same frame set and look similar to the Super Nova and they also have the exact same looking welds.
Confirmation: Confirmed through a source (on April 2021), Kuwahara International has confirmed that the non-looptail frames were indeed ALL Full Chromoly. And ALL the Looptail frames produced were in fact Tri-Moly.
Stamping Note: The 1983 Looptail version was non-stamped and the 1984 Non-Looptail version was stamped “Kuwahara”. However, there were also left over 1983 Looptail versions that were stamped “Kuwahara” with serial numbers “K4…” similar to the 1984 Non-Looptail versions.
Buyer / Collector’s Beware: The Nova / Super Nova handlebars are NOT the same as a Laserlite or Survivor. They are approx. 250 grams heavier and the cross bar has a smaller diameter.

1983 NovaLate 1983 Nova1984 NovaLate 84 + NovaNova Titilist
Year:1983Late 1983 - Feb. 19841984Oct. 1984 - Feb. 19861986 - 1987
Model:Nova LooptailNova Looptail (Stamped)Super Nova Non-LooptailSuper Nova Non-LooptailNova Titlist
Frame:Tange (Round)Tange (Round)Tange (Round - Stamped)Tange (Round - Stamped)Anlun
Fork:Tange TX-SuperTange TX-SuperTange Round (K Stamped)Tange Round (K Stamped)Anlun (K Stamped)
Headset:Hatta MX-IIHatta MX-IIHatta MX-IIHatta MX-IIHatta MX-II
Stem:WINWINWINSuginoAnlun 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)
Handlebars:WIN ProWIN Pro 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)WIN Pro 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)WIN Pro 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)Anlun
Grips:OGK Vinyl 17-77AOGK Vinyl 17-77AOGK Vinyl 17-77AOGK Vinyl 17-77AAME Tri (Type)
B.B.Hatta MX-IIHatta MX-IIHatta MX-IIHatta MX-IIHatta MX-II
Cranks:Takagi One-Piece 175/180mmTakagi One-Piece 175/180mmTakagi 'Kuwahara' OPC 180mmTakagi 'Kuwahara' OPC 180mmAnlun 'Cr-Mo' 180mm
Spider:TakagiTakagiTakagi 'Kuwahara' Power DiscTakagi 'Kuwahara' Power DiscAnlun Power Disc
Chainring:Takagi 44TTakagi 44TTakagi 44TTakagi 44TAnlun 44T w/ 'Kuwahara' imprint
Chainring Bolts:TakagiTakagiTakagiTakagiGeneric
Pedals:KKT AMX / SMXKKT AMX / SMXKKT AMX / SMXKKT RMXVP 330
Chain:KECKECKECKECKMC Silver
Freewheel:Suntour 16TSuntour 16TSuntour 16TSuntour 16TSuntour 16T VIA Chrome
Rims:Ukai 'Speedline'Ukai 'Speedline'Ukai 'Speedline'Ukai 'Speedline' (Shiny Side - Painted)Ukai 'Speedline' (Shiny Side - Painted)
Hubs:Suntour Sealed HFSuntour Sealed HFSuntour Sealed HFSuntour Sealed HFSansin Sealed LF
Spokes:Asahi 194mmAsahi 194mmAsahi 194mmAsahi 194mmAsahi 194mm
Nipples:Asahi or Araya (Black)Asahi or Araya (Black)Asahi or Araya (Black)Asahi or Araya (Black)Asahi Silver
Tires:IRC Racer 80x SkinwallIRC Racer 80x SkinwallIRC Racer 80x SkinwallCheng Shin Comp 3 SkinwallCheng Shin Comp 3 Skinwall
Seat Post:Checkered (Integrated w/ Seat)Checkered (Integrated w/ Seat)Nitto Layback 'Laserpost'Nitto Layback 'Laserpost'Anlun Layback
Seat:Tahei Elina ULTahei Elina ULElina Aero TurboElina Flyte TechViscount 'Kuwahara'
Seat Clamp:Suntour Broken ArrowSuntour Broken ArrowSuntour Broken ArrowSuntour Broken ArrowTuf Neck Style 'Kuwahara'
Brake Caliper:Dia Compe 890Dia Compe 890Dia Compe 890Dia Compe 890Dia Compe MX-901
Brake Lever:Dia Compe Tech 3Dia Compe Tech 3Dia Compe Tech 3Dia Compe Tech 3Dia Compe Tech 6
Brake Cable:Dia CompeDia CompeDia CompeDia CompeDia Compe
1983 Nova
Year:1983
Model:Nova Looptail
Frame:Tange (Round)
Fork:Tange (Round)
Headset:Hatta MX-II
Stem:WIN
Handlebars:WIN Pro
Grips:OGK Vinyl 17-77A
B.B.Hatta MX-II
Cranks:Takagi One-Piece 175/180mm
Spider:Takagi
Chainring:Takagi 44T
Chainring Bolts:Takagi
Pedals:KKT AMX / SMX
Chain:KEC
Freewheel:Suntour 16T
Rims:Ukai 'Speedline'
Hubs:Suntour Sealed HF
Spokes:Asahi 194mm
Nipples:Asahi or Araya (Black)
Tires:IRC Racer 80x Skinwall
Seat Post:Checkered (Integrated w/ Seat)
Seat:Tahei Elina UL
Seat Clamp:Suntour Broken Arrow
Brake Caliper:Dia Compe 890
Brake Lever:Dia Compe Tech 3
Brake Cable:Dia Compe
Late 1983 Nova
Year:Late 1983 - Feb. 1984
Model:Nova Looptail (Stamped)
Frame:Tange (Round)
Fork:Tange TX-Super
Headset:Hatta MX-II
Stem:WIN
Handlebars:WIN Pro 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)
Grips:OGK Vinyl 17-77A
B.B.Hatta MX-II
Cranks:Takagi One-Piece 175/180mm
Spider:Takagi
Chainring:Takagi 44T
Chainring Bolts:Takagi
Pedals:KKT AMX / SMX
Chain:KEC
Freewheel:Suntour 16T
Rims:Ukai 'Speedline'
Hubs:Suntour Sealed HF
Spokes:Asahi 194mm
Nipples:Asahi or Araya (Black)
Tires:IRC Racer 80x Skinwall
Seat Post:Checkered (Integrated w/ Seat)
Seat:Tahei Elina UL
Seat Clamp:Suntour Broken Arrow
Brake Caliper:Dia Compe 890
Brake Lever:Dia Compe Tech 3
Brake Cable:Dia Compe
1984 Nova
Year:1984
Model:Super Nova Non-Looptail
Frame:Tange (Round - Stamped)
Fork:Tange Round (K Stamped)
Headset:Hatta MX-II
Stem:WIN
Handlebars:WIN Pro 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)
Grips:OGK Vinyl 17-77A
B.B.Hatta MX-II
Cranks:Takagi 'Kuwahara' OPC 180mm
Spider:Takagi 'Kuwahara' Power Disc
Chainring:Takagi 44T
Chainring Bolts:Takagi
Pedals:KKT AMX / SMX
Chain:KEC
Freewheel:Suntour 16T
Rims:Ukai 'Speedline'
Hubs:Suntour Sealed HF
Spokes:Asahi 194mm
Nipples:Asahi or Araya (Black)
Tires:IRC Racer 80x Skinwall
Seat Post:Nitto Layback 'Laserpost'
Seat:Elina Aero Turbo
Seat Clamp:Suntour Broken Arrow
Brake Caliper:Dia Compe 890
Brake Lever:Dia Compe Tech 3
Brake Cable:Dia Compe
Late 84 + Nova
Year:Oct. 1984 - Feb. 1986
Model:Super Nova Non-Looptail
Frame:Tange (Round - Stamped)
Fork:Tange Round (K Stamped)
Headset:Hatta MX-II
Stem:Sugino
Handlebars:WIN Pro 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)
Grips:OGK Vinyl 17-77A
B.B.Hatta MX-II
Cranks:Takagi 'Kuwahara' OPC 180mm
Spider:Takagi 'Kuwahara' Power Disc
Chainring:Takagi 44T
Chainring Bolts:Takagi
Pedals:KKT RMX
Chain:KEC
Freewheel:Suntour 16T
Rims:Ukai 'Speedline' (Shiny Side - Painted)
Hubs:Suntour Sealed HF
Spokes:Asahi 194mm
Nipples:Asahi or Araya (Black)
Tires:Cheng Shin Comp 3 Skinwall
Seat Post:Nitto Layback 'Laserpost'
Seat:Elina Flyte Tech
Seat Clamp:Suntour Broken Arrow
Brake Caliper:Dia Compe 890
Brake Lever:Dia Compe Tech 3
Brake Cable:Dia Compe
Nova Titilist
Year:1986 - 1987
Model:Nova Titlist
Frame:Anlun
Fork:Anlun (K Stamped)
Headset:Hatta MX-II
Stem:Anlun 'Kuwahara' (Stamped)
Handlebars:Anlun
Grips:AME Tri (Type)
B.B.Hatta MX-II
Cranks:Anlun 'Cr-Mo' 180mm
Spider:Anlun Power Disc
Chainring:Anlun 44T w/ 'Kuwahara' imprint
Chainring Bolts:Generic
Pedals:VP 330
Chain:KMC Silver
Freewheel:Suntour 16T VIA Chrome
Rims:Ukai 'Speedline' (Shiny Side - Painted)
Hubs:Sansin Sealed LF
Spokes:Asahi 194mm
Nipples:Asahi Silver
Tires:Cheng Shin Comp 3 Skinwall
Seat Post:Anlun Layback
Seat:Viscount 'Kuwahara'
Seat Clamp:Tuf Neck Style 'Kuwahara'
Brake Caliper:Dia Compe MX-901
Brake Lever:Dia Compe Tech 6
Brake Cable:Dia Compe