Everything Bicycles - : 1964 ROAD TEST AN AMERICAN EAGLE `KB` BICYCLE - The New Breed From Japan: Banners, Flags, Pennants

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1964 ROAD TEST AN AMERICAN EAGLE `KB` BICYCLE - The New Breed From Japan

Item# BannerAmerEagle 3 [BannerAmerEagle 3]
Categories: Banners, Flags, Pennants,

Since Howie Cohen's passing, no items are for sale.

1964 WCCSC produced several of these satin banners which were given to Dealers selling American Eagle bicycles. The history: We had the American Flyer brand trademarked through Pettee Cycle in Denver and American Flyer bikes were produced by Murray and Chain Bike. We wanted there to be a tie-in between the American produced bikes and the Japanese produced bikes so we chose and registered the brand American Eagle. We had the distinction of spearheading the very first high quality bicycles imported into America from Japan. They were produced and inspected under careful conditions by KAWAMURA CYCLE CO of Kobe, Japan. Overseeing the entire project was Mr. Yukio Kawamura (aka Higesan), President of the company. Higesan was well known and respected in the Japan Cycle Industry. He was personally instramental in assisting Howie to accomplish the goal of producing Japanese bicycles that could compete with the high quality of Schwinn, Raleigh and other top brands being sold by IBD`s of the time. WCC adopted Kawamura`s logo which we put on all KB bicycles. The logo is a square with 3 colors; (1) RED-passion for our customers, (2) YELLOW-well designed products, and (3) BLUE-sincerity in doing business. The letters KB originally meant KAWAMURA BUILT but later became synonymous with HIGH QUALITY and were used by WCC on many products not produced by Kawamura, but of similar high quality. The American Eagle bicycles were as expensive as other high quality bikes being sold by USA IBD`s but there was always added value in specifications. Several USA Dealers assisted WCC with the specs and other requirements of the market; the bikes were an instant success! Sometime around 1967 we changed the brand from American Eagle to NISHIKI; this is another long story, if you want the details contact Howie. The Dealers who were most deeply involved in developing the American Eagle and Nishiki bikes were; Bob Hansing-Montrose Bike Shop, Paul Hinkston-Rancho Park Cycles, Len Hearst-Hans Ohrt Lightweight Bicycles, Bob Olsen and many others. See the picture gallery for some photos from the mid 1960`s when Howie would be in Japan a minimum of 2-weeks from each 2-month period. Achieving the goal of having bicycles and component parts produced to the rigid requirements of the USA Dealers took an abundance of patience, persistence and travel. The dimensions are 49 x 26 inches.

Picture Gallery for this Item (click images to enlarge)
more details We just opened the doors to one of the containers of bikes that arrived at WCC from Kawamura. Notice the good quality and good condition of the cartons.	more details A close-up view of the container before unloading.	more details A lady's 26 x 1 3/8 3-speed with; one-piece crank, two braces on both fenders, soft comfortable seat, DiaCompe Weinmann type brakes.
more details Mr. Yukio Kawamura (Higesan) standing between Jack and Lee Salem of JAX BIKE SHOP-Long Beach. Taken at Kay and Howie's wedding in 1982; Higesan honoured us by being Howie's Best Man.	more details Mr. Junzo Kawai (Jun-chan), President of SunTour and Howie lead a group of 'Sunday Morning Cycling' riders up a hill toward our picnic-lunch destination. I would ride in Japan at every opportunity so I could test the products that we were planning to purchase for distribution in America. In the mid 1960's in order to convince SunTour that we needed a derailleur with the capacity to shift up to a 34T freewheel cog, I installed a French Huret Alvit and Millard 14~34 freewheel on my American Eagle bike and rode away from the group on a steep climb. It was soon after that ride that SunTour produced the wide capacity derailleur and freewheel that the American Dealers said was important. Shimano also followed suit.	more details The Sunday Morning Cycling Group at a rest stop near the top of the mountain. I can recognize Kiyokazu Yoshigai-pres of Dia Compe, Kozo Yoshigai-son of Kiyokazu, Keizo Kozaki-Kozaki Trading Co., Junzo Kawai-pres SunTour, Katchan Kitaguchi-pres Taihei Saddle, Naoya Kitaguchi-son of Katchan and current pres of Taihei, Tetsuo Maeda-VP of SunTour, Ozakisan-head engineer SunTour. I am the 5th from the right.

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