1981 Mongoose Kos Kruiser 26

MY HOLY GRAIL

I have always wanted this bike.  When I was a kid, my mom bought me the 26" forks for my cruiser, that was as close as I got.

So I found this on eBay in early 2018 in my own backyard here in San Diego.  The original owner told me he had it since he was a teenager, taking it with him when he moved to Japan, then later to New York City.  He commuted through the streets of Manhattan on this bike!
When I got it, it was in survivor condition, some rust, old looking chrome, ugly tires, big, comfy, fat-butt seat.   I immediately went to work, searching for the right bars and stem to give it the right look and feel.  I kept it like that for a while, then last summer I started the full blown restoration.  A trip to the chrome shop, a few more choice pieces and here she is.  Every chrome piece was redone, new (to me)  blue Araya wheels, OG grips and seat, the padset, repop Dia Compe brakes.  I love it!  I rode it just last evening before dark!
To me, this was the top of the line, you couldn't really do better than a Kos Kruiser.