 Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4
Worn Saddle
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OP
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
Why The King Died Good article about the old two stroke triples. They were nasty fast.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
I had all 3 Suzuki versions ,380,550,750 and they were FAST! Great fun too. Had a couple single cyl. enduro 2 strokers over the years too that I rode in the dirt and on the road, some legally ,some not. Those engines were so easy to work on as stated in the article.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
That was a good little story. Yeah I remember them... stupidly fast! I never rode one but I heard they were rather unstable at high speeds. I saw one of those last year I think it was, makin' it's way down the highway with that traditional blue smoke signature. Ah, for the days of yesteryear!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
I never rode one but I heard they were rather unstable at high speeds.
My first bike was an H1 500cc; I rode that all over Oahu in 1972, even off road across the lava fields at the tip of the island. Back on the mainland my second bike was an H2 750cc. Yep, they were blazing fast and well overpowered the drum brakes of the time. I've heard that they were unstable at high speed and twitchy but I don't remember it that way at all. Then again, I was pretty young and they were the only bikes I'd ever ridden so maybe they were and I just didn't realize it.
That 750 was a resurrected bike salvaged from a wreck while I was working in the service dept. at The Pit Stop in Columbia, SC. I put an aftermarket fibreglass "glove" combo tank, seat and tailpiece on it and beat many a Corvette off the line...it looked so small and the wisp of blue smoke made folks think it was a small cc dying rat :-)
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
I still ride mine (H2) every few weeks. Though I need to go through the bottom and replace ALL seals. As you can tell by the pic., it smokes a LITTLE BIT MORE than was "normal" I never replace the battery. I only ride it during daylight, and it doesn't need a battery. I was afraid of them when I was in my teens & early twenties, and I'm STILL afraid of it today!  (they weren't called "Widow Makers" for nothin') You think the BA is an attention getter, EVERYONE has to gather around whereever I stop! The H2 was all original. I put the original pieces in bags in the attic, incase I ever decide to sell, and equipped it the way they SHOULD be. I have a H1 ('71) that's being set-up for straight line acceleration ONLY, but is WAAAAY back on a "back burner" (someday)   
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
You "Ol'Farts" KNEW it was commin' 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
You "Ol'Farts" KNEW it was commin'
I forgot you have one o' those!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
What was that old Confederate saying?, "HE11 NO, I'LL NEVER FORGET!"  Well, I'M from the south, and yes, I'LL NEVER LET YA'LL FORGET!!! Peace, ERLE! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17 |
Erle, you aint riding that thing with those flippers on, are you ? 
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
What was that old Confederate saying?, "HE11 NO, I'LL NEVER FORGET!"
Well, I'M from the south, and yes, I'LL NEVER LET YA'LL FORGET!!!
Peace,
ERLE!
Forget what? 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Ah yes,the old widow makers. I followed a friend on one one day.Couldn't get near him of course.When we stopped, the oil from his tailpipes was all over my front end,back of the mirrors,headlight,forks everything.
Frightening.Brakes,what Brakes?Frames made of chewing gum and knitting needles for forks.
They did FLY though!
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
I remember the 1973 Superbike Comparison put on by Cycle Magazine. It placed the 750 Kawa in first place for performance of 7 bikes tested. The official quote for those who don't feel inclined to read the whole article stated quote "And that leaves this one, which we said at the outset is limited but it’s pure. If you’ve poured over the charts and graphs you know by now that the Kawasaki 750 delivered the test’s low ET, second-highest quarter-mile speed, the fastest lap time, the strongest braking force, the highest torque and horsepower readings on the dynamometer, the highest power-to-weight ratio, the lowest price, the fewest dollars spent per point earned, and the highest point total—399.6 against a perfect total of 400. Based on performance alone, it is without a question of doubt the King of the Superbikes."
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Only when going for a long haul. Otherwise, I wouldn't be caught dead with ANYTHING covering my precious feet.  You know, better awareness of my surroundings without blocking the senses.  (I know, I know, WHAT SENSES!!!) Peace!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Keith, Your latitude is WAY TOO FAR NORTH to understand!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
I remember the 1973 Superbike Comparison put on by Cycle Magazine. It placed the 750 Kawa in first place for performance of 7 bikes tested. The official quote for those who don't feel inclined to read the whole article stated quote
"And that leaves this one, which we said at the outset is limited but it’s pure. If you’ve poured over the charts and graphs you know by now that the Kawasaki 750 delivered the test’s low ET, second-highest quarter-mile speed, the fastest lap time, the strongest braking force, the highest torque and horsepower readings on the dynamometer, the highest power-to-weight ratio, the lowest price, the fewest dollars spent per point earned, and the highest point total—399.6 against a perfect total of 400. Based on performance alone, it is without a question of doubt the King of the Superbikes."
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Kawasaki 750 story
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
I never had the opportunity to ride the 750 or the 500 but I did ride the 350 for a time. Then I owned a BSA 650 Scrambler. When I got on the Kawa, I almost ended on my butt when the thing lifted the front wheel for the first time. Scared the daylights out of me. I then almost ended up on the rear bumper of the car in front of me. Rear brakes were on the other side... The reversed controls were not the easiest to adapt too.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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