Guide
Kuwahara Serial Numbers
Factory Kuwaharas were made in Japan by a few different companies but mainly Tange Japan. This topic is highly debated and we have constructed our data based on research and information from a few key people who have lent us this information.
Companies like Tange Japan made the tubing for Kuwahara frames, and companies like Toyo Frame welded them together. Apparently, Koizumi made frames as well, or at the least welded Tange made tubing.
All Kuwahara forks, however, were made and welded together by Tange Japan except fo the Giant made Pantera forks.
Regardless of the manufacturing details, here is a breakdown of the serial numbers found on Kuwahara frame sets and forks between 1979 and 1985.
Tange / Toyo Stamped Frame Serial Numbers
Tange Made Tubing welded by Toyo or Tange
Found on KZ, Laserlite, Survivor, Nova, KYZ, E.T., KM-1 and 24 models
1979 – 1984
Stamped: T1A0001 (underside of bottom bracket)
Stamped: TANGE JAPAN (rare to see)
T = Toyo / 1 = 1981 / A = Month / 0001 = Unit # produced of the month
Ex. T3J1340 = The 1,340th frame made by Tange in October of 1983
Ex. T9K1576 = The 1,576th frame made by Tange in November of 1979
*T stands for Toyo who welded the Tange tubings. If marked “TANGE JAPAN”, then the frames were welded by Tange.
Tange Made Fork Serial Numbers
Found on KE-1, KZ, Laserlite, Surivivor, Nova, KYZ, E.T., KM-1 and 24 models
1979 – 1985
Stamped: Tange OA (on steerer tube)
Tange / 0 = 1980 / A = Month
Ex. Tange 3C = Tange made fork in March of 1983
Ex. Tange 9I = Tange made fork in September of 1979
*Tange Made forks were welded and stamped by Tange
Kuwahara Stamped Frame Serial Numbers
Tange Made Tubing welded by Kuwahara
Found on KZ, Laserlite, Survivor, and Nova models
1980 – 1985
Stamped: K1A0001 (underside of bottom bracket)
K = Kuwahara / 1 = 1981 / A = Month / 0001 = Unit # produced of the month
Ex. K4C0560 = The 560th frame made by Kuwahara in March of 1984
Tange Made Fork Serial Numbers
Found on KE-1, KZ, Laserlite, Surivivor, Nova, KYZ, E.T., KM-1 and 24 models
1979 – 1985
Stamped: Tange OA (on steerer tube)
Tange / 0 = 1980 / A = Month
Ex. Tange 3C = Tange made fork in March of 1983
Ex. Tange 9I = Tange made fork in September of 1979
*Tange Made forks were welded and stamped by Tange
Koizumi Stamped Frame Serial Numbers
Tange Made tubing welded by Koizumi
Found on KE-1, KZ, Laserlite, Survivor, and KM-1 models
1979 – 1984
Stamped: KGA 1 0001 or 79 1 00001 (underside of bottom bracket)
KG = Koizumi / Third Letter = Year / First Number = Month / 0001 = Unit # produced of the month
Ex. KGC 8 1130 = The 1,130th frame made by Koizumi in August of 1983
Ex. KGB 12 1100 = The 1,100th frame made by Koizumi in December of 1982
Ex. KGA 7 0830 = The 830th frame made by Koizumi in July of 1981
Ex. 79 12 00358 = The 358th frame made by Koizumi in December of 1979
Tange Made Fork Serial Numbers
Found on KE-1, KZ, Laserlite, Surivivor, Nova, KYZ, E.T., KM-1 and 24 models
1979 – 1985
Stamped: Tange OA (on steerer tube)
Tange / 0 = 1980 / A = Month
Ex. Tange 3C = Tange made fork in March of 1983
Ex. Tange 9I = Tange made fork in September of 1979
*Tange Made forks were welded and stamped by Tange
Apollo Stamped Frame Serial Numbers
Kuwahara made Frames
Found on Apollo, Apollo E.T. and Apollo 16 models
1980 – 1987
Stamped: 80-01-00001 (on left side of seat post tube)
80 = 1980 / 01 = Month / 00001 = Unit # produced of the month
Ex. 81-09-64191 = The 191st (or possiblly 64,191st) frame made by Apollo in September of 1981
Ex. 83-10-71465 = The 465th (or possiblly 71,465th) frame made by Apollo in October of 1983
Stamped: N72856 or N7395C
breakdown explanation n/a
Giant Made Frame Serial Numbers
Found on Pantera models
1983 – 1985
Stamped: G0184 (on right rear dropout) & 4684981 (on left rear dropout)
G = Giant / 01 = Month / 84 = Year
4684981 = Unit # produced of the month
Ex. G0783 = Made by Giant in July of 1983
Ex. G1284 = Made by Giant in December of 1984
