Stamping (Frame): Survivor ‘stamping’ started in mid October 1983.  They were stamped with the “K” on the rear dropouts, a “Kuwahara” on the left side of the seat post tube, and brake bridge. “Laser Post” on the right side of the Nitto layback seat post and “Laser Bars” on the front right side of the handlebars.
Stamping (Forks): Kuwahara “K”  ‘stamping’ started in about March of 1984 on Tange forks completely different from the TRX forks of previous years.  These were introduced in the months after the KZ-84 frame was introduced in March of 1984.
Top Tube Differences: KZ-84 top tube is longer than the KZ-83 and KZ-85 and has a shorter Seat post tube, including shorter rear triangle top tubes. In October 1984 they brought back the KZ-83 geometry which WE call the KZ-85.

Frame Facts: Survivors and Laserlites shared the same frame from 1982 to February 1986.  Bravos also used the exact same from from 1984 (KZ84) to February 1986. And “Super” Novas used the exact same frame from October 1984 to February 1986 (KZ85).
Frame Geometry: The Late 1984 Survivor lost all its oval tubing of previous years and was identical to the Bravo and “Super” Nova frame of that year with round top and bottom tubes.  They also went back to the same geometry and top tube length as the KZ83 frame.
Interesting Facts: By October 1984, Kuwahara was using the same exact frame for the Bravo, “Super” Nova and Survivor as they are identical in geometry, weld craftsmanship and weight when put through a comparison test.
Tange Made: February of 1986 is the very last month and year of the Japan made Tange frame sets before being discontinued.

Note: The frame used in the advertisement image (in banner above) is that of a KZ and is incorrect. The Survivor production frame did not have a gusset and was a KZ-83 / KZ-84 frame which was the same frame used for the Laserlite. The Survivor can be looked at as a Laserlite with low end parts (mainly the Promax seat, 1 pc cranks, Sugino stem, and Black Araya 7x rims were differences).