Guide
Kuwahara Decal Sets
What are the correct Kuwahara decals to put on your build? Where do you buy them? Are they N.O.S. (New Old Stock)? Are they reproduction? If so, are they quality reproductions? And most importantly, are the Accurate decal sets?
We have been asked so many questions through email regarding Kuwahara decals that we decided to make the ultimate Kuwahara frame set decal guide to help Kuwahara collectors track down the proper decals to restore their Kuwie’s back to Factory specs.
If you want and need Factory Correct decals, then Vintage Steel BMX (previously known as BMX-Rider) is the ONLY seller in the world that sells Accurate and High Quality Kuwahara Decal sets worthy of any vintage Kuwahara BMX.
Not to mention, Vintage Steel BMX is also now a Worldwide “Authorized / Licensed” reseller of Kuwahara bmx decals so that title right there makes them even more legit. Visit their website here.
For Official quality Kuwahara Pad Sets, we have found Jumpsports in Thaliand to be the best and they are also an Authorized/Licensed reseller. Buy padsets here.
WARNING: With all of our research pointing to one respected seller, we must still warn and inform the un-knowledgeable newbies and the un-convinced, of the falsely advertised Counterfeit decals being sold online as reproductions as well falsely advertised as NOS.
In Thailand, 2 sellers, called “Sxo-Shock” and “S-World” have been selling fake “Nos” Kuwahara decals without Kuwahara’s permission. There were also a few other sellers in Malaysia, UK and Indonesia.
Don’t be Fooled! These are reproductions at the worst quality. Never approved or produced by Kuwahara themselves in the 1980’s.
NOTE: Be also AWARE that poor quality reproduction Kuwahara decal sets were being printed even back in the 1980’s.. so if you do find a subpar Decal set advertised as N.O.S., it truly could be new old stock from the 80s.. but a legit poor quality repop decal from back in the day! But most likely a Counterfeit.
CONCLUSION: If you have any doubt, compare to a Vintage Steel BMX set or contact us for any help.
To see pictures of these Counterfeit decals click here.
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4 Generations of Decal Sets
There are 4 generations of Kuwahara decal sets produced between the years 1979 and 1988. Generation 2 is the most common decal set you will find on the popular 1982 – 1984 Laserlites and Novas. However, ALL main tube and fork decals are the exact same size for any 16″, 20″, or 24″ frames and forks.
(Updated Jan. 1, 2022)
GENERATION 1
Years Active:
1979 - 1980 (Version 1)
1980 - Early 1981 (Version 2)
Factory Models (Version 1):
KE-1, Early KZ, and KM-1
Factory Models (Version 2):
Late KE-1, Early KZ, and KM-1
FEATURES:
- Japan Flag on left side of main tube decal text.
- All fonts used on all frame areas are considerably different from other Generation decals.
- Does not include the ® symbol.
- Silkcreened on clear vinyl stock.
- Red color used is darker than standard CMYK red.
- Version 1 decals have square Die Cut corners whereas Version 2's are rounded.
- Version 1's Head Tube decal has white to the edge of the die cut whereas Version 2 has clear edges.
- Version 1's holes in the letters A and R are knocked out (not filled in with white) on the Main Down Tube decal unlike Version 2 which are filled in with white.
GENERATION 2
Years Active:
Early 1981 - Aug. 1983 (w/o ® Symbol)
Sept. 1983 - Late 1984 (w/ ® Symbol)
Factory Models:
KZ, Laserlite, Survivor, Nova (w/ ® Symbol only), KYZ, Apollo (16",20",24"), 24" BMX, 24" Cruiser
FEATURES:
- Japanese Flag positioned above the "K" of "Kuwahara" on main tube decal.
- All fonts used on all frame areas are considerably different from other Generation decals.
- Chrome-Moly "Lightning Bolt" seat post tube & handlebar decal included (on Laserlite, Survivor, & 24" models only).
- Litho printed on clear polyester stock with a protective laminate.
- Red color used is darker than standard CMYK red.
- Yellow color is darker than standard CMYK yellow (more like a yellow/orange).
- Did not include the ® symbol until mid October 1983 which was placed at the bottom right corner of all decals except the 4130 decal.
GENERATION 2 (FLAGLESS)
Years Active:
1982 (w/o ® Symbol)
1983 - 1984 (w/ ® Symbol)
Factory Models:
ET (w/o ® Symbol), Pantera (w/ ® Symbol), Exhibitionist (Cut-Out) (w/ ® Symbol)
FEATURES:
- Japanese Flag is not included on main tube & fork decals except on Exhibitionist model.
- All fonts used on all frame areas are considerably different from other Generation decals.
- Chrome-Moly "Lightning Bolt" seat post tube & handlebar decal included (on Exhibitionist model only).
- Litho printed on clear polyester stock with a protective laminate.
- Red color used is darker than standard CMYK red
- Yellow color is darker than standard CMYK yellow (more like a yellow/orange).
- Did not include the ® symbol until mid October 1983 which was placed at the bottom right corner of all decals except the 4130 decal.
- "4130" and "Japan Flag" seat post tube decals were not included on ET and Pantera models.
- Headtube had slanted "Kuwahara" words on ET and Pantera models only.
- ET fork decals had 3 stripes at top of words.
- "The Bicycle Source / USA" decals included on Exhibitionist models only in North America.
GENERATION 3
Years Active:
March 1984 - Feb. 1986 (Bravo Only)
1985 - Feb. 1986
Factory Models:
Laser-Lite, Laserlite-3000, Exhibitionist, Nova, Nova Titlist, Bravo, Bravo KT, Magician, Scamp, Scamp Jr., Apollo
FEATURES:
- Japan Flag was replaced with a 3 colored 'flag' integrated into the K of the main tube and head tube decals.
- All fonts used on all frame areas are considerably different from other Generation decals.
- Includes the ® symbol at the bottom right corner of every decal.
- Litho printed on clear polyester stock with a protective laminate.
- Decal sets came in many different colors combinations
- Model names were depicted in a new Script font and placed on the handlebar and seat posts.
- Chrome-Moly "Lightning Bolt" seat post tube & handelbar decal were replaced with the a new
"Kuwahara" Script font decal.
GENERATION 4
Years Active: 1987 - 1988
Factory Models:
Bravo Pro, Bravo Team, Magician Pro, Magician EX, Hopper
FEATURES:
- Japan Flag was replaced with a 3 colored 'flag' integrated into the K of the main tube and head tube decals.
- All fonts used on all frame areas are considerably different from other Generation decals.
- Includes the ® symbol at the bottom right corner of every decal.
- Litho printed on clear polyester stock with a protective laminate.
- Decal sets came in many different colors combinations
- Model names were depicted in a new Script font and placed on the handlebar and seat posts.
- Chrome-Moly "Lightning Bolt" seat post tube & handelbar decal were replaced with the a new
"Kuwahara" Script font decal. - Colored shadows and grids were added beneath each decal except for the "Kuwahara" script decal.
FACTS: SOME INTERESTING AND KEY DETAILS TO NOTE – All models produced September 1983 and later included the ® symbol in all the decals (except the “Lightning Bolt” seat post & handlebar decal which did not include the ® symbol until 1984 ish) except the “4130” seat post tube decal. This ® logo was found ONLY at the bottom right corner of each decal. Factory original decals also include little ‘placement dots’ on the main tube decals of all models, on the ‘model name’ decals (Laserlite, Survivor, Nova, & Pantera) and on the fork decals of E.T. models only.