Model
Kuwahara KYZ
Lifecycle: Late 1981 – 1983
Frame Model: KYZ (Originally named & marketed as KE-1)
Factory Colors: Chrome w/ Black parts, Blue w/ Blue & Silver Parts, Black w/ Black & Silver Parts, Gold finish on Chrome w/ Black parts (Canada only)
Frame: Tri-Moly – Chrome-Moly Tubing (Front Triangle) / High Tensile Steel (Rear Triangle)
Fork: 100% Full Chrome-Moly
Serial #: Starting T1, T2, T3
Decals: Generation 2 w/® and w/o ®
Gusset: 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 (Original) and KYZ (High End) used the exact same frame, and the ET (Replica) and KYZ (Low End) used the exact same frame. Put a raw metal ET beside a raw metal KYZ and the geometry, weight (+/-) and quality are the same. You will notice the welding differences at the bottom bracket area.
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 KYZ’s without this small hole and are debated as being leftover ET’s in chrome which is NOT the case. KYZ’s 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 witnesses 2 versions of the KYZ – 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.
| KYZ (High End) | KYZ (Low End) | |
|---|---|---|
| Year: | 1982 - 1983 | 1982 - 1983 |
| Model: | KYZ (w/ Nice Welds) | KYZ (w/ Ugly Welds) |
| Frame: | Tange (Tri-Moly) | Tange (Hi-Tensile) |
| Fork: | Tange TX-Super | Tange TX-1200 |
| Headset: | Hatta MX-II | Hatta MX-II |
| Stem: | Sugino 'Crown' (Black) | WIN Slant (Black) |
| Handlebars: | WIN V-Bar | WIN V-Bar |
| Grips: | OGK Vinyl 17-77A | OGK Vinyl 17-77A |
| B.B. | Hatta | Hatta |
| Cranks: | Sugino One-Piece 178mm | Sugino One-Piece 178mm |
| Spider: | Sugino Spider (110 BCD) | n/a |
| Chainring: | Suntour 44T (Black) | Sugino Snowflake / 3 Arrows 44T Chrome |
| Chainring Bolts: | Sugino (Stamped) | Sugino (Stamped) |
| Pedals: | KKT AMX (Black) | KKT Rat Trap |
| Chain: | KEC (Black) | KEC (Black) |
| Freewheel: | Suntour 16T (Black) | Suntour 16T (Black) |
| Rims: | Araya 7x (Black) | Araya Steel (Chrome) 20x2.125 |
| Hubs: | Suntour High Flange | S.I.W. Steel Small Flange |
| Spokes: | Asahi | Asahi |
| Nipples: | Asahi | Asahi |
| Tires: | IRC Racer 80x Skinwall | IRC Racer Skinwall |
| Seat Post: | Suntour Fluted Aluminum | Nagaoka Fluted Aluminum |
| Seat: | Tahei Elina | Takahashi Promax |
| Seat Clamp: | Dia Compe (Black) | Sugino Steel (Chrome) |
| Brake Caliper: | Dia Compe 890 (Black) | Dia Compe 890 (Silver) |
| Brake Lever: | D.C. Pre-Bent Black (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 Black (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 Black (1983) | D.C. Pre-Bent Black (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 Black (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 Black (1983) |
| Brake Cable: | Dia Compe | Dia Compe |
| KYZ (High End) | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 1982 - 1983 |
| Model: | KYZ (w/ Nice Welds) |
| Frame: | Tange (Tri-Moly) |
| Fork: | Tange TX-Super |
| Headset: | Hatta MX-II |
| Stem: | Sugino 'Crown' (Black) |
| Handlebars: | WIN V-Bar |
| Grips: | OGK Vinyl 17-77A |
| B.B. | Hatta |
| Cranks: | Sugino One-Piece 178mm |
| Spider: | Sugino Spider (110 BCD) |
| Chainring: | Suntour 44T (Black) |
| Chainring Bolts: | Sugino (Stamped) |
| Pedals: | KKT AMX (Black) |
| Chain: | KEC (Black) |
| Freewheel: | Suntour 16T (Black) |
| Rims: | Araya 7x (Black) |
| Hubs: | Suntour High Flange |
| Spokes: | Asahi |
| Nipples: | Asahi |
| Tires: | IRC Racer 80x Skinwall |
| Seat Post: | Suntour Fluted Aluminum |
| Seat: | Tahei Elina |
| Seat Clamp: | Dia Compe (Black) |
| Brake Caliper: | Dia Compe 890 (Black) |
| Brake Lever: | D.C. Pre-Bent Black (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 Black (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 Black (1983) |
| Brake Cable: | Dia Compe |
| KYZ (Low End) | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 1982 - 1983 |
| Model: | KYZ (w/ Ugly Welds) |
| Frame: | Tange (Hi-Tensile) |
| Fork: | Tange TX-1200 |
| Headset: | Hatta MX-II |
| Stem: | WIN Slant (Black) |
| Handlebars: | WIN V-Bar |
| Grips: | OGK Vinyl 17-77A |
| B.B. | Hatta |
| Cranks: | Sugino One-Piece 178mm |
| Spider: | n/a |
| Chainring: | Sugino Snowflake / 3 Arrows 44T Chrome |
| Chainring Bolts: | Sugino (Stamped) |
| Pedals: | KKT Rat Trap |
| Chain: | KEC (Black) |
| Freewheel: | Suntour 16T (Black) |
| 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 (Silver) |
| Brake Lever: | D.C. Pre-Bent Black (Early '82) D.C. Tech 2 Black (1982+) D.C. Tech 3 Black (1983) |
| Brake Cable: | Dia Compe |
