1974 KX450

[GT43]

Its before my time, and dont know if they were any good back then.
Just thought what the hell, and post it here.


http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/birdwood/motorcycles/1974-kawasaki-450/1012958232

[VMX247]

good find GT..what a gem !! 

[GT43]

Cheers VMX247.
I wasnt aware that KX's even existed back then ..lol
The price looked steep at first I thought, but its practically 2 bikes with NOS parts.
So, not to bad I guess.

[VMX247]

good question for a green fan.
when was the first Kawasaki dirt bike released onto the open market? ?

[firko]

In a nutshell they were pretty ordinary in their day but they have their following in VMX. They were reasonably good dirt trackers, Barry Collyer raced one with success during the first vintage dirt track era, but were high on the awful scale for motocross. Apparently parts are hard, if not impossible to find as is the case for most twin shock Kawasaki motocrossers. At that price it's 1k-2k too much.

[firko]

good question for a green fan.
when was the first Kawasaki dirt bike released onto the open market? ?

Too easy Alison, the F21 Greenstreak 238cc.
                                                               
                                                                       

1967 Kawasaki F21M
The Kawasaki 238 was the first production MX bike to be imported from Japan to the United States. In addition the 238 was sold only in the United States making it so rare. In 1968 Kawasaki changed the gas tank to the green tank on the bike giving it the new name the Greenstreak. In 1967 the correct tank was red with black knee pads. When the Greenstreak was introduced most buyers filled in the depression where the knee pads were and painted it like the new Greenstreak. The original owner of this bike did just that.
 The major differences between the 238 scrambler and the Greenstreak was the color of the gas tank as well as 2 other things; the ignition coil on the scrambler is mounted on the outside of the frame giving you a shock when you ride the bike and your leg touched it. On the Greenstreak it was mounted under the seat. In addition the exhaust was changed from the one you see on this 238 scramber to a pipe called the "Torquer" to make it have an increased lower end. Both bikes had the steering stabilizers and were major competitors in dirt track racing.
 
The 238 is far rarer than the Greenstreak with a total manufactured of under 1,000 units and the Greenstreak had 30% of the production of the Baby Greenstreak the Centurion 100. The 238 as a rule is worth $2000 more than the Greenstreak due to its rarity.
 
                                                                         
                                                               

[GT43]

Thanks for the info Firko.


 

I dont know why, but I like this bike. Something about it.

[Stan S]

good question for a green fan.
when was the first Kawasaki dirt bike released onto the open market? ?

Alison, I thought it was the 1962 B8M

"Known as the "Red Tank" the 1962 B8M was created specifically for the motocross championships in Japan. In 1963, it proved itself a strong performer, sweeping the podium by finishing in 1st through 6th place. The B8M was the first racing motorcycle to be built by Kawasaki and it was the first model to be sold as a production racing machine. Based on the 125cc B8 street bikes; it had an increased 12 horsepower (over the street bike’s eight) and was coupled to a 4-speed gearbox. The success of the B8M began a legacy for Kawasaki racing performance."

Regards Stan.