Kuwahara klunker

Picked this up this ratty 80’s Kuwahara MTB frame on a whim today. Planning on using it as a base for a klunker build. Japanese built, has got stickers from a Canadian bike shop. No idea how it ended up in South Australia.

The guy I bought it from said he has a bunch of old mountain bike parts and said to send him a list of what I need to finish it. He also said he has some old Suntour MTB parts.

Trying to keep it reasonably ratty and cheap, but I might splurge on some Velo Orange Klunker bars. Probably will go 1x. We’ll see.

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Parts I have:
Tektro CR720 cantilever brakes
Tektro FL750 brake levers
Sugino cranks
Fujita seamless NJS saddle
Maxxis 26x2.4 tyres (if they fit)

Parts I need:
Velo Orange Klunker bars or similar
Short stem (maybe BMX?)
Thumb shifter
Rear derailleur
Wheelset
Pedals
Grips
Bottom bracket

Parts I may have:
Seat post
Threaded headset cantilever guide

Love the fork crown and the chainstay / bottom bracket.

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Looks lovely, very nice little cable guide. Excited to see how it turns out.

A front loading BMX quill stem could look quite nice.

Much potential, excited to see what comes out of it!

Fun project!

He just messaged these through, so the wheelset and shifters are sorted.

Don’t need a dynamo hub, but won’t say no to one for the right price. Rear hub is Suntour 7 speed.

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That frame is great. Interested to see how it turns out.

Loads of potential so I'm sure like your other builds this will be great.
Old BMX stem would fit well given the brand's link to BMX. Needs some ET stickers.

Decided to go a bit more retro and bought these brake levers. Dia Compe MX-128.

I also wish my cantilever brakes were silver, but I’ll live with black for the time being. Although I might get some Dia Compe DC980 canti’s.

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Yes! My son’s name is also Elliott.

I think I might make an E.T. decal and a vintage Suntour one once it’s cleaned up.

Another photo of the frame. The yellow check on the seat stay and seat tube has been painted on. I started getting off with acetone last night, but it might be quite a project.

There is a fair bit of surface rust on the paint too. I’m hoping some light scouring will get that off.

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Looks awesome. I love the patina. I do think a short upright quill would be better than a bmx quill stem IMO. Every modern klunker build has a bmx stem, but the originals had the more classic quill shape (mostly)

Yeaaah excited to see how this turns out. Perfect klunker material this

I have those shifters on my muddy fox. They're gr8, love the micro ratcheting

Yeah, I’ll see how I go. The reason I was thinking BMX stem is MX bars are 22.2mm clamp and so are BMX stems.

Bought grips yesterday.

Not sure if I’ll use the WTB or Oury grips yet.

I’m also thinking of ordering these bars. They’re wider and cheaper than the VO Klunker bars.

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It also has double bottle cage mounts on the down tube which is pretty neat.

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Inspiration from Instagram.

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Wow! They were living in the future

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Check out motorcycle handlebars !

Yesss go on

Yeah, that’s what these are.

Started getting some parts ready.

Not sure if I do 3x7 or 1x. Have two lots of cranks to use, but I’m feeling the less modern ones (with a chain ring swap)

I’m hoping to use these Maxxis Ardent 2.4 tyres as well, if they fit. I’ll probably black them out.

Also found this Shimano 8 speed Acera rear derailleur. Not amazing but should work okay.

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Looking for something else just now, I found this, so that’s cool. Hopefully I can get it work without the stem causing too harsh of a curve of the brake cable, particularly if I run a stem like this.

I could always use a v-brake noodle to curve it underneath, or drill the stem.

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What a cool frame, I love that crown. It makes me think of those Overbury's of Bristol frames you sometimes see.