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Kawasaki Motorcycles
The motor cycle division forms a relatively small part of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a vast firm that produces trains, boats and planes. After building its first complete bike in 1960, Kawasaki acquired the Meguro marque and added the company's British-styled four-stroke vertical twins to the range. The 650cc W1 of 1966 represented a move into the big motorbike market. It sold well in Japan but flopped against the quicker British motor bikes on the American market. Kawasaki's response came with lighter, smaller capacity two-strokes. In 1969 Kawasaki released the first of the triples that would earn the firm a well-deserved reputation for high performance. This guide features six classic Kawasaki models.
Kawasaki W1 650
Produced: 1965-68
No. Cylinders: 2
Bore x Stroke: 74 x 72.6mm
Capacity: 624cc
Comp. Ratio: 8:7:1
Power Output: 50bhp @ 8,500rpm
Gearbox: 4-speed
Suspension: Front teles, Rear s/a
Brakes: Front 200 x 35; Rear 180 x 35
Tyres: Front 3.25 x 18in; Rear 3.50 x 18in
Wheelbase: 1,415mm (55.7in)
Weight: 230kg (398lb)
Top Speed: (approx) 108mph (174kph)
Kawasaki A7 350 (Avenger)
Produced: 1967-71
No. Cylinders: 2
Bore x Stroke: 62 x 56mm
Capacity: 338cc
Power Output: 42bhp @ 8,000rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed
Suspension: Front teles; Rear s/a
Brakes: Front 180 x 30; Rear 180 x 30
Tyres: Front 3.25 x 18in; Rear 3.50 x 18in
Wheelbase: 1,295mm (51in)
Weight: 150kg (329lb)
Top Speed: (approx) 105mph (169kph)
Kawasaki H1 500 (Mach 3)
Produced: 1968-75
No. Cylinders: 3
Bore x Stroke: 60 x 59.8mm
Capacity: 498cc
Comp. Ratio: 6:8:1
Power Output: 60bhp @ 8000rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed
Suspension: Front teles; Rear 180 x 35
Brakes: Front 296 disc; Rear 180 x 35
Tyres: Front 3.25 x 19in; Rear 4.00 x 18in
Wheelbase: 1,410mm (55.5in)
Weight: 179kg (395lb)
Top Speed: (approx) 119mph (191kph)
Kawasaki H2 750 (Mach 4)
Produced: 1971-75
No. Cylinders: 3
Bore x Stroke: 71 x 63mm
Capacity: 748cc
Comp. Ratio: 7:0:1
Power Output: 74bhp @ 6,800rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed
Suspension: Front teles; Rear s/a
Brakes: Front 296 disc; Rear 200 x 35
Tyres: Front 3.25 x 19in; Rear 4.00 x 18in
Wheelbase: 1,410mm (55.5in)
Weight: 192kg (423lb)
Top Speed: (approx) 125mph (201kph)
Kawasaki Z1
Produced: 1972-75
No. Cylinders: 4
Bore x Stroke: 66 x 66mm
Capacity: 903cc
Comp. Ratio: 8:5:1
Power Output: 82bhp @ 8,500rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed
Suspension: Front teles; Rear s/a
Brakes: Front 296 disc; Rear 200 x 35
Tyres: Front 3.25 x 19in; Rear 4.00 x 18in
Wheelbase: 1,491mm (58.7in)
Weight: 230kg (501lb)
Top Speed: (approx) 131mph (211kph)
Kawasaki Z650
Produced: 1976-77
No. Cylinder: 4
Bore x Stroke: 62 x 54mm
Capacity: 652cc
Comp. Ratio: 9:5:1
Power Output: 64bhp @ 8,500rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed
Suspension: Front teles; Rear s/a
Brakes: Front 245 disc; Rear 180 x 40
Tyres: Front 3.25 x 19in; Rear 4.00 x 18in
Wheelbase: 1,435mm (56.5in)
Weight: 220kg (485lb)
Top Speed: (approx) 120mph (193kph)
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