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Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki W1"
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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. | ||
==Japan's Biggest Bike== | ==Japan's Biggest Bike== | ||
Meguro's first twin had been the 650 T1 of 1955, a sort of patchwork of various British designs of the period, though its engine dimensions of 72x80mm were less "longstroke" than was normal in England. It developed 23.5 hp @ 5200 rpm, could reach over 80 mph, weighed 503 lb and was for a long time the biggest Japanese bike along with the Cabton 600 twin and Rikuo 750. | Meguro's first twin had been the 650 T1 of 1955, a sort of patchwork of various British designs of the period, though its engine dimensions of 72x80mm were less "longstroke" than was normal in England. It developed 23.5 hp @ 5200 rpm, could reach over 80 mph, weighed 503 lb and was for a long time the biggest Japanese bike along with the Cabton 600 twin and [[Rikuo]] 750. | ||
==A Dominant Design== | ==A Dominant Design== | ||
In 1960, Meguro launched its 500 Tl, with the same engine dimensions (66x72mm) as the [[Norton]] Dominator; it was more potent than the 650, with 33 hp @ 6000 rpm and was good for 90 mph. In 1956 the 650 gained a new engine inspired by the '''[[BSA]] A10'''. After the 650 appeared for the last time as a Meguro, the '''Kawasaki W1''' launched a new look; it scarcely changed until 1968. It was offered in three versions, including a scrambler with a high-level exhaust. In 1971 these models were fitted with a cross-shaft to move the gear selector to the left and, from 1973, with a disc front brake . | In 1960, Meguro launched its 500 Tl, with the same engine dimensions (66x72mm) as the [[Norton]] Dominator; it was more potent than the 650, with 33 hp @ 6000 rpm and was good for 90 mph. In 1956 the 650 gained a new engine inspired by the '''[[BSA]] A10'''. After the 650 appeared for the last time as a Meguro, the '''Kawasaki W1''' launched a new look; it scarcely changed until 1968. It was offered in three versions, including a scrambler with a high-level exhaust. In 1971 these models were fitted with a cross-shaft to move the gear selector to the left and, from 1973, with a disc front brake . | ||