KZ-1 |
The KZ-1 was built with a lightweight and tough Cro-Moly frame and fork with components from SunTour, Dia-Compe, Ukai and Taihei. The KZ-1 and KZ-2 frame and fork were the same with the exception of a few small components (Crank, pedals and stem) The ET model was different that the KZ-1 and KZ-2. (ET model used a loop tail with the KZ double gussets) Components |
Some
pictures of various KZ-1 models from E-Bay. To see a whole lot more
of pictures of KZ bikes than you will have to check out the RIDERS GALLERY
section. Cheers !!
|
An
old KZ-1 ad from the June 1981 issue of BMX magazine.
120K Click for full size image. |
Be sure to check out the RIDERS GALLERY section of this site for more beautiful KZ-1 bikes.
How
to identify most KZ serial numbers
Special thanks to James O' Donnell |
For Example: | ||||
FIRST DIGIT:
Above example shows letter K for Kuwahara KZ |
SECOND DIGIT: This is a number and not a letter. It is the year of production. In the example above you can see it says 1 (one) which means it is a 1981 model Above example shows number 1 for 1981 |
THIRD DIGIT: This is the month of production Above example shows letter A for January month of production |
FINAL FOUR DIGITS: represent the frame number of the monthly lot manufactured. Above example shows number 0118 for serial number one hundred eighteen of the January (A) lot. |
First
Digit (Alphabet) identification
|
|
K
|
Kuwahara
stamped frame
|
T
|
Tange
stamped frame
|
Second
Digit identification
|
|
0
|
1980
|
1
|
1981
|
2
|
1982
|
Third
Digit (Alphabet) identification
|
|
A
|
January
|
B
|
February
|
C
|
March
|
D
|
April
|
E
|
May
|
F
|
June
|
G
|
July
|
H
|
August
|
I
|
September
|
J
|
October
|
K
|
November
|
L
|
December
|
Other
examples
|
|
T0L0383
|
Tange
Frame, 1980 model, December lot, serial no. 0383
|
K2B0154
|
Kuwahara
KZ frame, 1982 model, February lot, serial no. 0154
|
T0K0275
|
Tange
Frame, 1980 model, November lot, serial no. 0275
|
Other
notes
|
From my experience I have found that the early model frames that start with a T (for Tange) have a large hole in the front gusset. The K stamped bikes seem to come with a slightly smaller hole in the front gusset as Kuwahara probably changed to that design for slightly better strength. I have also noticed welding seems to be better on the K stamped bikes too. The above serial number identification does not apply to all KZ model bikes. KGB is also a number found on some KZ-1 frames as well. |