Model
Kuwahara KY-1 & KY-2
Lifecycle: Late 1981 – 1983
Frame Model: KY-2 (Also known as KYZ)
Factory Colors: Chrome w/ Black parts, Black w/ Chrome parts, Blue with Gold parts, Gold finish on Chrome w/ Black parts (Canada only)
Frame: Tri-Moly – Chrome-Moly Tubing (Front Triangle) / High Tensile Steel (Rear Triangle)
Fork: High Tensile Steel
Serial #: Starting T1, T2, T3
Decals: Generation 2 w/® and w/o ®
Gusset (KY-1): 2 triangle shaped holes.
Gusset (KY-2): Version 1 – Drilled hole for Centerpull Brake Hook-Up (Similar to KZ-1) / Version 2 – No drilled hole (similar to ET)
Top Tube Length: 18.25″
Weight: 27 pounds, 5 ounces (approx.)
Weight (Frame): 2551 – 2597 grams (approx.)
Frame Facts: The ET and KY-2 use the same exact same frame size and geometry. However, the ET was a high tensile frame whereas the KY-2 was a tri-moly frame. There were also 2 versions of quality for both models in regards to welding. You will notice the welding differences at the bottom bracket area.
KY-1 & Gusset: The KY-1 was released only in certain markets in the world outside of North America. The gusset is different from the KY-2 in that there are 2 triangle shaped holes in the plates rather than a round hole.
KY-2 Gusset: Gusset has either a) a small hole on the right side next to the big hole, similar to the KZ-1 and KZ-2 or b) no small hole on the right side next to the big hole. The KY-2s without this small hole and are debated as being leftover ET’s in chrome which is NOT the case. KY-2s with no small hole were made all through out 1982 and 1983 alongside the ET. And ET’s were made into the early months of 1983.
Versions: We have witnessed 2 versions of the KY-2 – a Regular size and a Small size. When compared side by side, the Small size has a smaller geometry than Regular size with a shorter rear end similar to a Diamondback Silver Streak when compared to a Senior Pro. The Regular size has a standard size geometry similar to the KZ-1, ET, Nova, and Laserlite.
| KY-1 | KY-2 (AKA KYZ) | |
|---|---|---|
| Year: | 1981 - 1983 | 1981 - 1983 |
| Model: | KY-1 (w/ Ugly Welds) | KY-2 (w/ Nice Mig Welds) |
| Frame: | Tange (Hi-Tensile) | Tange (Tri-Moly) |
| Fork: | Tange TX-1200 (Hi-Tensile) | Tange TX-1200 (Hi-Tensile) |
| Headset: | Hatta MX-II (Silver) | Hatta MX-II (Silver) |
| Stem: | Kusuki WIN Slant (Black) | Kusuki WIN Slant (Black) |
| Handlebars: | Kusuki WIN V-Bar (Hi-Tensile - No Welds) | Kusuki WIN V-Bar (Hi-Tensile - No Welds) |
| Grips: | OGK Vinyl 17-77A | OGK Vinyl 17-77A |
| B.B. | Hatta | Hatta |
| Cranks: | Sugino One-Piece 178mm | Sugino One-Piece 178mm |
| Spider: | n/a | n/a |
| Chainring: | Sugino Snowflake / 5 Star 44T Chrome (Steel) | Sugino Snowflake / 5 Star 44T Chrome (Steel) |
| Chainring Bolts: | n/a | n/a |
| Pedals: | KKT RT-E Rat Trap (Silver) | KKT RT-E Rat Trap (Silver) |
| Chain: | KEC (Black) | KEC (Black) |
| Freewheel: | Suntour 16T (Bronze 2 Prong) | Suntour 16T (Bronze 2 Prong) |
| Rims: | Araya Steel (Chrome) 20x2.125 | Araya Steel (Chrome) 20x2.125 |
| Hubs: | S.I.W. Steel Small Flange | S.I.W. Steel Small Flange |
| Spokes: | Asahi | Asahi |
| Nipples: | Asahi | Asahi |
| Tires: | IRC Racer Skinwall | IRC Racer Skinwall |
| Seat Post: | Nagaoka Fluted Aluminum | Nagaoka Fluted Aluminum |
| Seat: | Takahashi Promax | Takahashi Promax |
| Seat Clamp: | Dia Compe (Black) | Sugino Steel (Chrome) |
| Brake Caliper: | Dia Compe 890 F&R (Silver) | Dia Compe 890 F&R (Silver) |
| Brake Lever: | D.C. Pre-Bent F&R Silver (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 F&R Silver (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 F&R Silver (1983) | D.C. Pre-Bent F&R Silver (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 F&R Silver (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 F&R Silver (1983) |
| Brake Cable: | Dia Compe (Silver) | Dia Compe (Black) |
| KY-1 | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 1981 - 1983 |
| Model: | KY-2 (w/ Nice Mig Welds) |
| Frame: | Tange (Tri-Moly) |
| Fork: | Tange TX-1200 (High Tensile) |
| Headset: | Hatta MX-II (Silver) |
| Stem: | Kusuki WIN Slant (Black) |
| Handlebars: | Kusuki WIN V-Bar (Hi-Tensile - No Welds) |
| Grips: | OGK Vinyl 17-77A |
| B.B. | Hatta |
| Cranks: | Sugino One-Piece 178mm |
| Spider: | n/a |
| Chainring: | Sugino Snowflake / 5 Star 44T Chrome (Steel) |
| Chainring Bolts: | n/a |
| Pedals: | KKT RT-E Rat Trap |
| Chain: | KEC (Black) |
| Freewheel: | Suntour 16T (Bronze 2 Prong) |
| Rims: | Araya Steel (Chrome) 20x2.125 |
| Hubs: | S.I.W. Steel Small Flange |
| Spokes: | Asahi |
| Nipples: | Asahi |
| Tires: | IRC Racer Skinwall |
| Seat Post: | Nagaoka Fluted Aluminum |
| Seat: | Takahashi Promax |
| Seat Clamp: | Sugino Steel (Chrome) |
| Brake Caliper: | Dia Compe 890 F&R (Silver) |
| Brake Lever: | D.C. Pre-Bent F&R Silver (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 F&R Silver (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 F&R Silver (1983) |
| Brake Cable: | Dia Compe (Black) |
| KY-2 (AKA KYZ) | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 1981 - 1983 |
| Model: | KY-2 (w/ Nice Mig Welds) |
| Frame: | Tange (Tri-Moly) |
| Fork: | Tange TX-1200 (High Tensile) |
| Headset: | Hatta MX-II (Silver) |
| Stem: | Kusuki WIN Slant (Black) |
| Handlebars: | Kusuki WIN V-Bar (Hi-Tensile - No Welds) |
| Grips: | OGK Vinyl 17-77A |
| B.B. | Hatta |
| Cranks: | Sugino One-Piece 178mm |
| Spider: | n/a |
| Chainring: | Sugino Snowflake / 5 Star 44T Chrome (Steel) |
| Chainring Bolts: | n/a |
| Pedals: | KKT RT-E Rat Trap |
| Chain: | KEC (Black) |
| Freewheel: | Suntour 16T (Bronze 2 Prong) |
| Rims: | Araya Steel (Chrome) 20x2.125 |
| Hubs: | S.I.W. Steel Small Flange |
| Spokes: | Asahi |
| Nipples: | Asahi |
| Tires: | IRC Racer Skinwall |
| Seat Post: | Nagaoka Fluted Aluminum |
| Seat: | Takahashi Promax |
| Seat Clamp: | Sugino Steel (Chrome) |
| Brake Caliper: | Dia Compe 890 F&R (Silver) |
| Brake Lever: | D.C. Pre-Bent F&R Silver (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 F&R Silver (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 F&R Silver (1983) |
| Brake Cable: | Dia Compe (Black) |
