 Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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 a sure sign that Triumph is back.... imitation.. happened once before ( '77 KZ750 at my office is an amazing knock-off of a 70's Bonnie) Imitation is the sincerest form of flatery...... 
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Quote:
Carbed or EFI, do you think?
If they want to sell them in europe, its got to be EFI
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Thanks Mike for pulling that up. It's a good looking bike for sure. Yamaha too was copying Triumph back in the day. I had a 70s 650 that pretty much mimicked it's Trumpet counterpart. It pretty much looked like the one below before I did a sort of cafe racer thing to it. 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Kawasaki did the same thing in the late 60s with the W2. My cousin had one. Oh, and right down to the gear shift on the right/brake on left side. http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Kawasaki_W2
Last edited by churchkey; 08/28/2010 1:55 AM.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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With regard to the new Bonnevilles I think Kawasaki where first out with the W650 in 1999, pic below. I always liked them, then the Bonneville came out and sort of killed sales of the W650. Be interesting to see how the prices compare with the new one.  The new one has alot going for it. Looks like a floating Front disc, Rev counter, Spoked wheels, Chrome guards, Fork Gators, I would not be to worried about a lack of oil cooler where I live and check out all the fins 
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Member
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Well if it withstands our weather better than the triumph models i'd be very interested.
Ignorance is bliss
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Well if it withstands our weather better than the triumph models i'd be very interested.
How could it NOT!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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I have the same opinion now as I did when the W650 came out. Why buy a copy when you can have the original?  Anyway, the Japanese would copy their mothers if they could make a buck on it.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Quote:
Well if it withstands our weather better than the triumph models i'd be very interested.
How could it NOT!
What are you guys talking about? I haven't heard of any bike that can withstand UK weather, quite frankly w/o proper care. I've ridden my first TBA for 12 hours straight in a torrential downpour and also left it outside (under a cover) for the first 3 or 4 years I owned it and never had any problems. You've got to wash and wax the thing every once and a while. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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I'm currently rebuilding the motor in my xs650. Great bike if you don't mind some rattle.
2008 Speedy, AI removed, DIY airbox destruction with K&N filters, spectres, re-jetted and "custom" rattle can paint job.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Loquacious
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I guess you missed the memo. Remember ALL the posts about "cutting out in the rain"?  How about ALL the posts about the kickstand safety switch?  Mine never has good results when I get caught in heavy rain for over 30 min. or so. BUT, I don't have Igniter problems.  (or whats the other one. Cracked case from starter gear?)
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Loquacious
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That XS650 motor is currently one of the most sought after motors for current bobbers, along with the older Triumphs. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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...You've got to wash and wax the thing every once and a while.
Thats why I ride (try to/want to) in the "Torrential downpours"!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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I had a 1999 W650 , it rode all right , not real fast but was fun , i noticed they have done away with the kick start on the new one
There has been a lot of W400 black imports into Aus lately and getting good money , can not understand why
What goes round comes round
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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...Anyway, the Japanese would copy their mothers if they could make a buck on it.
That's certainly true Paul, however at least from the picture I see above of the newer W800, it appears Kawasaki is at least a little more willing to have their OWN name proudly displayed across the gas tank along with that nice '70s-style paint job...and NOT some pseudo Triumph-esque "eyebrow" tank badge like the older W650's had.
Ya gotta at least give 'em that, right?!
(btw...that early model XS650 in yellow which Keith supplied a pic of above was always one of my favorite Japanese bikes...and I always thought Yamaha kind of ruined it later on by changing to the stepped seat and other modifications in an apparent attempt to cash in on the growing "factory custom look" which became all the rage later on in the '70s)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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hey Zach which model motor are you rebuilding? 256, 447 or 556? Why are we worried about Kwaka making a new W bike, they already manufacture our motors for Triumph don't they? 
“There is no heaven, there is no ******, except here on Earth.â€
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I live in the sun downunder
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I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
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Quote:
hey Zach which model motor are you rebuilding? 256, 447 or 556?
Why are we worried about Kwaka making a new W bike, they already manufacture our motors for Triumph don't they?
Pull your head in.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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I like it... I hope it does well. I had always wanted a W650 but never was able to get one.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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What goes round comes round
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Bet its nicked when he comes out
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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It looks pretty good but I would still go with a T100. I wish kawasaki would re-do a z900 in retro style.  That 900/1000 range was awesome in the 70s.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Shameless. Just get the real thing instead of a knock-off.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Bet its nicked when he comes out
More likely clamped and ticketed, its always a race between the thieves and wardens
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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 Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I always liked the Kawi W650, but get your facts straight.
The original Kawi W1 was a copy of a BSA.
It's not a Triumph copy.
It's a BSA copy.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Had a look at one of these today not to bad at all only come in 1 colour Green but it is not bad
Comfy seat that is hinged and unlocks with a key , it comes standard with centre stand , helmet lock , tacho and spokes also has a real tool kit under the seat ,selling for the same price as the cheapest Bonnie here
with out tacho ,The salesman tels me they have been available for a week here and they sold 2
Last edited by boof; 01/22/2011 2:49 AM.
What goes round comes round
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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I'll give them $2999.99 for the replica bike 
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Real thing....Real thing....Real thing... Knock offs are knock offs.... It's kind of like owning a real $20 bill and a counterfeit one.....Which one would you want?
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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New Tires
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New Tires
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Interesting, was just wondering, I looked at one of these in the late 90s and the quality seemed sub par. The fender struts were of less quality than a early 60s Triumph. The little things seemed to be of old Indian replica Brit bike quality.That said, I still thought it was cool. Have they improved since then?
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Quote:
Real thing....Real thing....Real thing...
Knock offs are knock offs....
It's kind of like owning a real $20 bill and a counterfeit one.....Which one would you want?
A very simplistic view of things
What is your 73 Yamaha a copy of ?
Every thing that is built today has been done before
What goes round comes round
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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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:
Quote:
Real thing....Real thing....Real thing...
Knock offs are knock offs....
It's kind of like owning a real $20 bill and a counterfeit one.....Which one would you want?
A very simplistic view of things...
Nah... just a bit of humour (at least that's what I got from it!)
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
A very simplistic view of things
What is your 73 Yamaha a copy of ?
It was a copy of a 2 cylinder garbage can. It was a piece of junk. They only made them for 2 years. The engine failed at the 4000 mile mark of it's second summer (wristpin). Lost the engine for the summer. Warranty was almost non existant. Had to pull the engine myself and give it back to the dealer before he'd repair it. After sending it back to Yamaha, he tried to flip me with the bill...twice. After several lengthy phone calls with Yamaha central, I received my repaired engine. It came back with the kickstand missing and leaking oil at the breaker points seal. Fixed that myself. Sold it as fast as I could.
If it was a knock off alright....it really showed it's counterfeit ways. I even tried to trade it in on a 850 Norton Comando in 2004 but the dealer wouldn't take the bike.
Counterfeit for the real thing. 
There are some good knockoffs and yes it was meant as a bit of humour but I prefer the real thing.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Have to admit... that's real purdy! 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Beautifully done, alright! I also like the shots of it in this old BSA A10 Golden Flash/BMW R90S orange paint scheme too!  (...BUT, according to the article, only 48bhp out of this 773cc engine?...what's up with that???...I mean, even the original Hinckley 790cc Bonnies supposedly got about 55bhp at the rear wheel and about 62bhp at the crank!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
It would look even better if it was a real Triumph. 
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yeah, well actually John, I've always kind'a thought that the Kawasaki W-series were really more an "homage" to BSAs than they were Triumphs...disregarding the tower-shaft driven OHCs, that is. That's more Norton Manx than anything else.
I mean, look at the timing side of the crankcase on this Kawasaki here. It doesn't have the Triumph inspired "heart-shaped" design at all.
And also, considering that the original Kawa W1s of the mid-to-late '60s WERE actually pre-unit BSAs built under license by Kawasaki back in the day.
And like I said above, in that orange paint, I would swear that at a quick glance one could easily mistake the bike for a BSA Golden Flash of the late 1950s and early 1960s...that of course is if they didn't first notice this Kawa's unit-constructed engine and the tower-shaft.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Interesting in these days of water cooling and oil coolers, Kawasaki have decided to go with nothing? Love that black cafe job though. If Kawasaki were smart they'd run with that and I reckon you'd have buyers lining up?
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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wonder how it would be to adapt that front fender to an America
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Bonnie Copy: Kawasaki W800
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
wonder how it would be to adapt that front fender to an America
The Speedmaster one bolts on.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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