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Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki W1"
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[[Image:1965 Kawasaki W1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|1965 Kawasaki W1]] | |||
The '''[[Kawasaki]] W1''' was a [[Four stroke|4 stroke]] 650cc [[street motorcycle]] manufactured by [[Kawasaki]] from 1966 through 1971. | |||
The '''[[Kawasaki]] W1''' series were the largest displacement Japanese motorcycles available in the mid 1960s. The W1 soon gave way to the twin carbureted [[Kawasaki W2|W2]] models in an attempt to break into the expanding American market. In 1968 the W2TT Scrambler and the W2SS Commander models also became available. The W2 engined used a 4-speed non-unit transmission overhead valve, which produced 50 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm. | ==History== | ||
The W-series were the largest displacement Japanese motorcycles available in the mid 1960s. The W1 soon gave way to the twin carbureted [[Kawasaki W2|W2]] models in an attempt to break into the expanding American market. In 1968 the W2TT Scrambler and the W2SS Commander models also became available. The W2 engined used a 4-speed non-unit transmission overhead valve, which produced 50 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm. | |||
Up to the 1960s, Japan relied on copying the leading foreign marques. Kawasaki built its first motorcycle in 1951 and, ironically for a marque which became famous for its two-strokes, was the sole Japanese maker with serious four-stroke know-how. It had absorbed [[Meguro Works]], which had specialized in this field since the 1930s The first [[Kawasaki]]s were simply re-badged Meguros with a very British 650 twin. | Up to the 1960s, Japan relied on copying the leading foreign marques. Kawasaki built its first motorcycle in 1951 and, ironically for a marque which became famous for its two-strokes, was the sole Japanese maker with serious four-stroke know-how. It had absorbed [[Meguro Works]], which had specialized in this field since the 1930s The first [[Kawasaki]]s were simply re-badged Meguros with a very British 650 twin. | ||