Kawasaki 100 Desert Racer

[farmer58za]

Hi all
I acquired this little G31M/G4 desert racer in 2011 and I'm about to start with the restoration. As you can see, it's well used, but I'm hoping to get to something like the "hot 100's" as featured in VMX Magazine #49.

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/farmer58za/?action=view&current=penton010.jpg

I'll post some pic's as I go.

Regards
David

[Graeme M]

What a cool little bike! And it's not in bad condition for the age so not too bad a starting point. Looks like a great project David so yes please, keep us up to date with progress.

[Tex]

That is indeed a ripper. I'll be keeping an eye out for updates too.

Tex

[firko]

I know where there's one of these beut little Kawasaki's laying under a guys house. I've been trying to get it from him for years but it's one of those "I might restore it when I get the time" situations.

[farmer58za]

You had better get to it before the ants build nests in it! 

I know where there's one of these beut little Kawasaki's laying under a guys house. I've been trying to get it from him for years but it's one of those "I might restore it when I get the time" situations.

[farmer58za]

Started dismantling the frame: Lots of evidence of "modify it as you go" engineering, but frame appears basically sound.

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/farmer58za/?action=view&current=frame3.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/farmer58za/?action=view&current=frame2.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/farmer58za/?action=view&current=frame1.jpg

I'll build and fit some new fork stops and a centre tank mount then fit up the tank so I can measure up the strap that goes onto the (new) wire clips. The seat will have to be rebuilt as it's base has cracked and been rewelded plenty. I'll find a suitable metal donor seat base then modify it to fit.

Regards
David

[farmer58za]

Progress as at today.....

http://s215.photobucket.com/user/farmer58za/media/IMG_0106_zps14f6e13c.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s215.photobucket.com/user/farmer58za/media/IMG_0105_zps2529ff62.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

Regards
David

[albrid-3]

[Scootern29]

HI Farmer, the bike is looking good my fren.

Scott, the Curnutt guy in California.

[farmer58za]

Thanks Scott
Those Curnutts fitted perfectly. Re-build should have been finished by now but stopped when my (incorrect) rod kit arrived. Fortunately, I will be swapping it out for the correct one with a chap in Melbourne who needs the one I got and has the one I need.
Bought NOS parts from no less than 10 sources!
Regards
David

[firko]

Looking good David.....I like your choices of left field bikes. It's good to be different my friend . I was exchanging emails a few years ago with a total Kawasaki nut in the USA who had built a similar bike to yours for the AHRMA 100cc class and he reckoned that it was pretty competitive with the more sophisticated motocross based bikes.

[Scootern29]

Would the person have been Norm Bigelow?

[firko]

No it wasn't Norm but I'm well aware of  Norms reputation with anything green. I can't recall the guy I spoke withs name, he was just a guy I bought something from on Marks Swapmeet about 5 years ago.

[Slakewell]

I had a riding buddy who had something similar back in the day when we had all moved on to silver tank Honda's etc, I recall it still ran like he stole it needed little to no maintenance and never broke down. 

[farmer58za]

And talking of left field: This weekend, I'll be looking at a BSA / Triumph 250 MX special, built and raced in the early '70s and up for sale now.
 
Regards
David

Looking good David.....I like your choices of left field bikes. It's good to be different my friend . I was exchanging emails a few years ago with a total Kawasaki nut in the USA who had built a similar bike to yours for the AHRMA 100cc class and he reckoned that it was pretty competitive with the more sophisticated motocross based bikes.