15) 1990s Kuwahara Instinct

SPECS

Status:  Sold
Size: ​​18"/46cm
Frame & Fork: Chrome Moly
Brakeset:  Dia Comp XCM
Wheelset:  Araya Aluminum rims with Vee Rubber 26x1.95 tires

BEFORE

The ad on FB Marketplace was for two Kuwahara projects (See #14 for the other).  Neither was finished and this is the one that caught my eye.  It had a really nice set of Araya TM-810F rims on Deore XT Parallax hubs with new Schwalbe Tough Tom tires.  I had another project in mind for the wheelset and since the Instinct didn't have a rear derailleur hanger, and since the shifters and derailleurs were in terrible condition, I decided this should be an MTB cruiser.  

The FaceBook Ad

AFTER

I was so happy with the way this MTB cruiser turned out.  The paint polished up nicely and didn't have any rust.  The anodizing on the stem and cranks were in terrible condition so I sanded and polished those.  They turned out beautiful in the end.  A nice chrome riser bar went well with the polished stem.  The almost new saddle that I pulled off another bike fit well with this cruiser style.  The Araya rims polished up nicely and went well with a set of trail tires that were waiting for a home.  In the end, I ended up with a really nice MTB cruiser that is perfect for the bike trails, the rail trails and for cruising downtown or to the coffee shop.