Interesting pre 75 Kawa.

[firko]

Yeah...I agree with both Doc that the bike has a sort of drag bike / hillclimber look with that swingarm. I reckon it's from some other bike and the that builder got lucky with it happening to fit. I still reckon the bike could be made into a decent racer but is it worth it after spending 3k? It'd be an interesting, fun bike but I doubt it'd be competitive in pre 75.

[firko]

Here's an even better basis for a f5/f9 Kwaka
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trackmaster-Kawasaki-350-F5-F9-Dirt-Track-Flat-Track-/320745690055?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aadeed3c7

[JC]

Yeh, much better Mark.

Doc, I think much of why the rear looks so strange is also that the guard is still located to suit the std short swingarm, but the wheel is too far behind it w the looong swingarm.

Definitely looks like stock (heavy) frame to me

[farmer58za]

Hi All

I'll let you guys in on the details when it gets here. I Bought it on a single bid. Bike will be sent to Arkansas where we'll strip it down, put it in boxes and send it home. At the purchase price it was worth it for something this unusual.

I'm taking AzMike at his word that it's in (reasonably) good nick. He was easy to deal with.

And while I was at it, I also bought a G31/G4 Desert racer (not from AzMike) which will be making it home in the same boxes.

Regards
David

I'm not so sure about the "prototype" tag but it's certainly a very interesting bike. It's a great example of an early seventies attempt at making a humble trail bike into a competitive motocrosser. Most attempts failed but it kept the aftermarket industry afloat. The Kawasaki Bighorn was a truly great engine sitting in a rotton frame so whoever built this seems to have done as much as he could to fix many of the Bighorns problems, replacing the bad bad bad Hatta forks, knocking a lot of the weight out of it by putting plastic and fibreglass where mild steel used to live and fitting that period cool Castor snail pipe and C&J chro-mo swingarm. I'd love to see what's done to the engine as these things were really appreciative of rotary disc and port work. A mate of mine once fitted one of these engines to an early TZ Yamaha roller and it's near as damn it to being quicker than the TZ350 motor it replaced.  All in all this is a trick bike that'd clean up and be a fun and interesting  hot rod pre '75 bike. In 1972 Dirt Bike built 'Project Bighorn' in an attempt to turn a Kawasaki Bighorn into a racer. They used a Hindall frame in their attempt. I actually own that very frame today.
The price is looking like it won't be too far over the top. 2k is about what it's worth in my opinion. ..............I doubt it'd get into pre '70 Slakey.

I get conflicting reports on Arizona Mike as a seller. I've seen forum threads slamming him but have also seem glowing recommendations so I guess it's a suck it and see situation. One thing for sure is that he's got a knack of finding some very trick and unusual bikes. 

[VMX247]

I'll let you guys in on the details when it gets here.
And while I was at it, I also bought a G31/G4 Desert racer

Get stuck in farmer58za-they'll be drooling over it when she arrives ..plenty of Kak Praat and dirt to go around...enjoy !!
cheers

[Doc]

Good work farmer David, look forward to seeing both the mini greenstreak and the 'prototype' in detail.

[farmer58za]

Last Monday and Tuesday, we stripped and packed 4 bikes for shipping home, among them the two Kawasakis.

The F5MX appears to have been put together with some thought by someone who wanted to make a decent MXer. The fibreglass tank, airbox and seat look well done although the tank may need a small repair. front forks may be REH. Front wheel is very light. Rear wheel looks stock F5. Rims and tyres are good. Pipe is well made and there's a name stamped on it with a phone number. Most bits fitted well and it may be good to test after a thorough pre-race prep.

The G31M/G4 is a whole different bag of spanners. This is a bike that had been actively raced in the desert throughout the early '70's, in California. The (G4) chassis is rough and shows battle scars, mods and repairs. Swingarm has been lengthened 2 inches. Seat has been re-padded to double thickness. Seat base has been extensively repaired and will need more repair.  Motor appears to be G31M with the large carb. Carb slide cutaway looks like nothing I've ever seen before - must be desert type tuning. Safety wire everywhere. A bonus with this bike is the pile of spares that came with it, including some NOS stuff, plus the California offroad sticker on a little stainless steel plate.

I'll report when the bikes get back
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/farmer58za/?action=view&current=IMG_4601.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/farmer58za/?action=view&current=IMG_4599.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/farmer58za/?action=view&current=IMG_4598.jpg
Regards
Dave

Good work farmer David, look forward to seeing both the mini greenstreak and the 'prototype' in detail.

[VMX247]

So it'll be an early Christmas then         

[farmer58za]

I Dunno
If the shipper collects before end November, chances we'll only receive mid-January. That's not a problem though. There's lots in the garage here that needs seeing to
Regards
David

So it'll be an early Christmas then         

[Brian Watson]

So..as a question....what does a box that big cost to ship?

[farmer58za]

There's actually two big boxes for 4 bikes.
In simple terms, we're aiming for around US$ 1000 per bike, including uplifting, shipping, duties, VAT and delivery.
Regards
David

So..as a question....what does a box that big cost to ship?

[farmer58za]

As a comparison, what are the statutory charges of importing a (used) bike into Oz. Our import codes for these items are free, but we have to pay VAT at 14%.
Regards
David

[Freakshow]

Same about $1000 by the time its in your garage from theres

[albrid-3]

My new bike is on its way too, can`t wait to receive it. 

[firko]

Mine are here....I'm just waiting for the phone call to come and pick 'em up.