After 42 years I finally got a Kos. I was 14 when I first saw one on a riser in a department store in town and thought it was the greatest thing I had ever seen. I was already 6ft tall and a 20” bmx just wasn’t cutting it. Getting one was a pipe dream as I was working for my dad on weekends and during the holidays and he had 5 kids in private schools and the shiny Kos was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
A few weeks ago I spotted this one on fleabay. Apparently it was raced for 2 years on a nationally ranked track in New York and then tucked away for the next 40 years. It was a first year frame and in great condition. I cut a deal with the seller for the frame and fork and it arrived this Monday. I didn’t mess around getting it together.
I used a wheel set and a few other bits from other bikes in my fleet. The assembly went well other than having to go through 4 one piece cranks (including 2 new ones) to get one that wasn’t bent or didn’t throw out the chain tension.
I took off on its shakedown ride when 5 minutes into it the chain came off. I got it back on and knew this would probably happen again and it did! A few miles into the ride I came across a group of kids on new SE bikes and got the thumbs up with one of them yelling at me to pull a wheelie. I gave it a go but my attempt failed to impress them. I rode with them towards the beach where they showed me how it was done.
These are great riding bikes with their long top tube negating the need for a layback post for a tall rider. It is as light as my aluminum SE Fast Ripper, not as fast with its single 39-16 gearing but steers and handles better with the ability to soak up bumps like Grandpa’s Caddy. A great day on the bike I lusted after as a kid so many years ago.
As it was advertised
Original dealer decal.
With the 4th one piece crank I fitted when I returned home. It fixed the chain tension issue and will soon be replaced by a period correct Takagi. I also plan to build another set of wheels with sealed bearing hubs and a freewheel. I prefer the look of the bike without the stem and frame pad.
A few weeks ago I spotted this one on fleabay. Apparently it was raced for 2 years on a nationally ranked track in New York and then tucked away for the next 40 years. It was a first year frame and in great condition. I cut a deal with the seller for the frame and fork and it arrived this Monday. I didn’t mess around getting it together.
I used a wheel set and a few other bits from other bikes in my fleet. The assembly went well other than having to go through 4 one piece cranks (including 2 new ones) to get one that wasn’t bent or didn’t throw out the chain tension.
I took off on its shakedown ride when 5 minutes into it the chain came off. I got it back on and knew this would probably happen again and it did! A few miles into the ride I came across a group of kids on new SE bikes and got the thumbs up with one of them yelling at me to pull a wheelie. I gave it a go but my attempt failed to impress them. I rode with them towards the beach where they showed me how it was done.
These are great riding bikes with their long top tube negating the need for a layback post for a tall rider. It is as light as my aluminum SE Fast Ripper, not as fast with its single 39-16 gearing but steers and handles better with the ability to soak up bumps like Grandpa’s Caddy. A great day on the bike I lusted after as a kid so many years ago.
As it was advertised
Original dealer decal.
With the 4th one piece crank I fitted when I returned home. It fixed the chain tension issue and will soon be replaced by a period correct Takagi. I also plan to build another set of wheels with sealed bearing hubs and a freewheel. I prefer the look of the bike without the stem and frame pad.
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