Kawasaki Classic Motorcycles

99cc. The G4TR was the evolution of the first rotary valve single cylinder Kawasaki's,starting with the little J1 85cc street bike in the early 1960's imported into the USA.It's roots are more akin to the GA and G3 series that came a bit later although.This was the first of the small singles (to the best of my knowledge) to use the aluminum cylinder with cast iron liner for superior cooling like it's bigger counterparts,the F3 "Bushwacker",F7 175,F8 250 "Bison", F5 350 "Bighorn" and it's racing brother the mighty-mite G31M (chrome bore). 1970 was the first model year for the "Trail Boss" 100cc, 10 speed.The high/low ranges of the main 5 speed gearbox are selected by a lever on the left hand engine cover,eliminating the task of switching rear sprockets as was more common on earlier street-trail and enduro machines.

Picture courtesey of www.parkercycle.com.

• Air cooled, two stroke, single cylinder
• 6 speed
• 95kg

175cc. The F7 was on of the first trail bikes that Kawasaki ever produced and was considered one of the best of it's era.

Kawasaki F7 gallery

• Air cooled, two stroke, single cylinder
• 20bhp @ 9000rpm
• Drum brakes
• 103kg

• two stroke, single cylinder
• 6 speed
• 101kg

Kawasaki's first "Green" motorcycle, It featured a two-stroke, rotary valve 238cc four-speed engine. It had an up-pipe, 19 inch front wheel, competition air filter and Kawasaki's Rotary Disc Induction System, where the carb was housed inside the right engine cover and fed fuel directly into the crankcase.

The 250 S1 shares a number of important piece with the 350 S2. They are however easily identifiable. The 250 S1 is initialiement delivered in a white robe and cylinder engine do that 6 cooling fins (against 7 for 350). The engine is virtually indestructible (designed to withstand the power of 350). If it is also rageur than those big sisters, it is perfectly manageable, even for a beginner.

Given the low power (32 hp instead of 45 for 350), framework and braking are widely size. The 250 also retain throughout his career his dual front brake cam (it was not until the appearance of the KH to see a disc brake).

Kawasaki designer Nagato Sato started work on the first KR twin during 1974 adopting an inline layout in order to minimise the width and thus the frontal area of the machine whilst still being able to utilise disc valves. The liquid cooled engine was housed in a conventional twin loop steel frame with twin rear shock absorbers. The machine first appeared in competition during 1975, often with Mick Grant in the saddle continuing into 1976. These years brought little in terms of success, but provided a wealth of information and the opportunity to develop the fledgling racer. 1977 marked a turning point for the twin and Kawasaki when Mick Grant secured the firms first Grand Prix win in the 250cc class at the Dutch TT at Assen and followed that success with a win at the Swedish Grand Prix later the same year. More Kawasaki KR250 history

Kawasaki KR250 Gallery

. 60bhp.

Kawasaki KR-1 gallery

• Four stroke Parallel twin SOHC
• 6 speed
• 65mpg
• 101mph
• 164kg

• 306cc displacement
• Chain or belt drive
• 6 speed transmission
• front disk, rear drum brakes
• point ignition

Big Horn Enduro.

• 350cc
• 2-Stroke, 1 Cylinder
• Rotary Disc Valve
• 5-Speed Return Shift
• Maximum Horsepower: 28 HP @6,500 rpm
  

• 396cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder
• 55.59 mpg
• $1170 (new)
• 399 lbs

Kawasaki KZ400 gallery

• Air cooled, two stroke, single cylinder
• 39 bhp @ 7000rpm
• 5 speed
• Drum brakes
• 118kg

Kawasaki ZXR400 Gallery

• Liquid cooled, four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
• 177kg
• 59bhp @ 12,000rpm
• 6 speed

Kawasaki ZX-4 Gallery

29bhp.

Kawasaki Z440 Gallery

• Air cooled, two stroke, single cylinder
• 5 speed
• Drum brakes
• 118kg

Kawasaki H1 gallery

498cc, 50bhp.

Kawasaki Z500 Gallery

Kawasaki followed the W1 with the W1SS which featured revised street scrambler styling and an increase in power due to a move to twin carburettors in an attempt to redress the balance. This was followed by a further refinement in 1969 with the introduction of the W2TT Commander featuring a high level exhaust and independently mounted instruments.

Despite being good, well built machines with good performance and attractive styling the W series twins never made the breakthrough in the American market that was expected of them and Kawasaki seem to have lost interest in them, looking forwards to the release of the two stroke twins and triples, which succeeded in establishing their presence. Consequently the twin cylinder four strokes are rare with the W2TT being the rarest.

Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.

More Kawasaki GPz 750 Turbo info..

Kawasaki GPZ750 gallery

Kawasaki KZ750 Gallery

Image kindly provided by www.classicjapanesemotorcycles.com.

Kawasaki GT750 Gallery

Kawasaki ZXR750 gallery

Kawasaki GPZ900 gallery

125bhp.

Kawasaki GPz1000 Gallery

Kawasaki Z1 gallery

• 6 water-cooled cylinders, 1,286cc
• 710 lbs
• Horsepower: 120 @ 8,000 rpm
• Torque: 85.4 ft/lbs @ 6,500 rpm
• 1/4 Mile: 11.96 at 114.35 mph

Kawasaki Z1300 gallery