Kawasaki Motorcycles W1 650, A7 350 Avenger, H1 500 Mach 3

Kawasaki Motorcycles

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This is one of many illustrated classic motorcycle guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic Kawasaki motorcycle art featured in this guide please click here.

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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