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Post date: Apr 26, 2011 11:23:19 AM
The Kawasaki family of triples were an important part of the 1970s motorcycle scene and gained a reputation for fearsome power in a challenging chassis. It set the template for
a family of bikes that would last a decade in production. The smallest and longest lasting was the 250 which began life as the S1 in 1972 and remained in production through to 1980. The two smaller triples (the S2 350 being the other one) replaced the twin cylinder 250 A1 Samurai and 350 A7 Avenger in Kawasakis line up. These were great bikes with outstanding performance from a brilliant engine, but they lacked a wow factor that the S1 and S2 had due to there obvious resemblance to their bigger brothers, the H1 and H2. They are effectively the "poor mans H1 or H2 and as the value of the bigger triples have gone up recently, many have turned to the smaller triples as a cheaper way to owning one.
This particular bike is the 1976 version and was the first of the KHs. I purchased the bike of a local enthusiast a couple of years ago and have done very little to it. A new set of tyres and a tune up that included new fine tip spark plugs is all that has been done to the bike. It is now a little tired in the top end but which isn't surprising with nearly 28000 kms on the clock. The open road requires the bike to be kept between 5500 and 8000rpm to keep ahead of the tin tops and once in the windies one is constantly performing a jig on the gear lever. Headwinds and hills require a change down to keep the momentum going, so it was what you would expect of a smaller capacity bike. The chassis handles the tight going very well for a nearly 40 year old design and many tests from the early to mid seventies rate its handling above all the other 250s including the RDs. But if things get to bumpy the suspension and frame can get overwhelmed and leave you wondering where the hinge is. All this fun has a price and a visit to a petrol station reveals a fuel consumption in the low 30 mpgs. Not a great bike to own if you are concerned about your carbon footprint!
For those wishing to get into Kawasaki triples on a budget, this is a great way to go. Not only are they comparatively affordable to buy, but parts to keep them on the road are available. For example you can buy a full set of pistons and rings from Britain for around $200. A recommended Vintage Japanese bike at a reasonable price.
Five things about Kawasaki 250 triples:
Although overshadowed by its bigger brothers, the 250 was the most popular of all the Kawasaki triples
In the UK in particular the S1 and KH250 were learner-legal and particularly fashionable as they were among the highest performing 250s available
While the 750 H2 finished in 1975, the 500 H1 in 1976, and the KH400 in 1978, the KH250 outlasted them all. The final KH250-B5 was produced in 1980.
Because the triples were air-cooled with pressed-up cranks it was possible to cut an engine apart and add cylinders and sections. Five and seven cylinder engines, and even a V6, were successfully built out of 250 triples.
These multi-cylinder offshoots were most popular in Europe where they were seen as an example of a machinist’s skill. The most bizarre was a 48-cylinder bike made out of 16 250s.
Thanks to Motorcycle Trader magazine.
Links.
http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/View/Article/Kawasaki-KH-250/1385.aspx
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